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) undertakes an annual assessment of the entire city based on key metrics, such as parking occupancy, high trip generating land use, and resident or staff identified areas of interest. This annual assessment enables staff to determine an appropriate neighborhood parking management strategy for the zones (neighborhoods) which qualify based on the observed metrics and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). Staff will also be able to monitor existing managed parking zones to track their performance.
The original Neighborhood Parking Permits (NPP) program assessed the need for new NPP zones and extensions of existing zones based solely through the process of resident petition. Under RAMP, residents can still request that their neighborhood be studied for possible inclusion in a new or existing NPP. Neighborhoods identified through the petition process are automatically prioritized for study to determine whether parking mitigation may be necessary. Once an area has been studied, staff will determine whether it meets all key metrics for parking management, or whether the area does not meet key metrics and should be deprioritized.
Key Metrics for Parking Management Under RAMP
| Metric | Requirement |
|---|---|
| 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 5 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 |
Process for Creating or Changing a Zone
Key Metrics Met
The Key Metrics detailed above are met, including a completed petition.
Staff Prepare Proposal
Staff begin work on preparing a proposal for the area, including the recommended boundaries, hours of enforcement, and parking management strategies.
Community Engagement
Staff work to notify all households in the area, to solicit feedback and invite residents to a public hearing to discuss the proposal.
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.
Residential Access Management Program Petitions
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.