Enacts the New York State Parking Modernization and Housing Affordability Act

This bill, known as the New York State Parking Modernization and Housing Affordability Act, restricts local governments from mandating minimum off-street parking for new residential and commercial developments located near transit hubs. Specifically, it prohibits cities, towns, and villages from requiring parking spaces for projects within half a mile of subway, rail, ferry stations, or frequent bus stops, with the goal of lowering housing costs and supporting climate goals. While the law generally bans these mandates, it allows municipalities to require limited parking if they prove a shortage through a study, hold public hearings, and ensure the rules do not apply to affordable housing or small buildings. The state Department of Transportation will create maps to identify these transit-accessible areas, and the legislation includes protections for accessible parking and existing safety regulations.