Managing Neighborhood Parking in Boulder

The Residential Access Management Program (RAMP) makes an annual assessment of various key metrics and other factors, in order to determine an appropriate neighborhood parking management strategy for neighborhoods which qualify for the Neighborhood Parking Permit (NPP) Program.

Residential Access Management

The Residential Access Management Program (RAMP) reviews parking and access conditions across the city each year. The program examines things like parking occupancy, whether the area has places that attract a lot of visitors, and if residents or staff have pointed out concerns. This review helps city staff decide if a neighborhood needs a parking management plan, based on specific performance measures. It also helps the city keep track of how well current parking rules are working in areas that already have them.

In the past, the Neighborhood Parking Permits (NPP) program only made changes when residents asked for them through a petition. Under RAMP, people can still ask for their neighborhood to be reviewed. If a petition is submitted, the city will give that area priority for a study. After the study, city staff will decide if the neighborhood meets the criteria for parking management. If it doesn’t, it won’t be a priority for changes.

Please note that the process to create a NPP zone can be lengthy and requires you to engage with your community. It begins with a resident petition that must have at least 25 valid signatures. Residents will also have to gain approval from the majority (over 50%) of those living in the area. A more detailed overview of the process to create a zone can be found below.

Process for Creating or Changing a Zone

Resident Petition

A petition must be signed by 25 adult residents from a minimum of five households or 100% consent, whichever is the lesser number. Learn more about the petition process and get started.

Staff Check Key Metrics and Prepare Proposal

Staff will check the petition zone against key metrics (outlined below). If key metrics are met, staff will begin work on preparing a proposal for the area, including the recommended boundaries, hours of enforcement, and parking management strategies.

Community Engagement

Staff will work to notify all households in the area, to solicit feedback and invite residents to a public hearing to discuss the proposal. Please note that even with a petition that passes key metrics, residents still need majority support (over 50%) from the rest of the residents in the zone to approve of the zone creation.

Transportation Advisory Board Public Hearing

A public hearing is held with the Transportation Advisory Board, in which the proposal is reviewed along with feedback received from residents.

Approval by City Manager

The proposal is then sent to the City Manager along with the feedback from the public hearing. The City Manager will either approve, deny, or request changes to the proposal.

Proposal Sent to Council

Finally, the proposal along with the feedback is sent to City Council, who will either approve, deny, or request changes to the proposal.

If approved, the proposed NPP zone can be implemented.

Key Metrics for Parking Management Under RAMP

MetricRequirement
Parking Occupancy The number of legal on-street parking spaces occupied by parked vehicles on each block face exceeds 85% of occupancy for new zones, or exceeds 60% occupancy for adjacent blocks or zone expansions
Visitation vs. Residents 25% of parked vehicles determined to belong to registered owners who do not reside in the neighborhood
Zoning Predominately residential in nature with nearby high intensity land uses or trip generators such as commercial districts or schools
Barriers to pedestrian movement The zone as a whole is not located across a geographic barrier which would limit pedestrian movement such as a major arterial street
Resident Petition Petition signed by 25 adult residents from a minimum of five households or 100% consent, whichever is the lesser number
Additional Considerations Cost, availability, proximity and convenience of nearby parking and other transit options as well as impacts to adjacent neighborhoods

Connect With Us

If the zone you are petitioning for has not yet been defined, or you are not certain which existing zone your address fits in, your petition will be pending staff assistance. Please contact us, providing as much relevant information as possible.