Transportation Demand Plan Requirements for New Developments

In September 2025, City Council unanimously approved a new ordinance that requires certain new residential and commercial buildings to include Transportation Demand Management (TDM) programs. The new TDM ordinance went into effect on April 9, 2026.

TDM programs provide benefits and incentives to community members and employees to take advantage of the mobility options provided by Boulder’s multimodal infrastructure. These programs offer benefits and incentives like:

• RTD’s EcoPass,
• Vanpool and carpool subsidies,
• Parking cash-out and
• Boulder BCycle memberships.

The TDM ordinance is designed to:

1. Mitigate the impacts of new developments on the surrounding transportation system, nearby properties and surrounding neighborhoods; 
2. Expand access to multimodal infrastructure, amenities and proven TDM programs and services for residential and commercial tenants; and 
3. Support the city’s transportation and climate goals. 

This ordinance is one part of the city’s broader Access Management and Parking Strategies (AMPS) project. As part of AMPS, the city also:

• Eliminated minimum parking requirements for new developments
• Updated on-street Residential Access and Management Program policies and tools to address the impacts of new developments on nearby residential neighborhoods. Visit the AMPS website for more information.

The ordinance applies to buildings of development projects that meet size thresholds. The city estimates that ordinance will likely apply to three to five projects a year. Thresholds vary by project type:

• Multifamily residential developments – thresholds based on number of units
• Non-residential and commercial – thresholds based on floor area square footage
• Schools – thresholds based on the estimated number of students to be served

Projects are grouped into three categories:

• Tier 0 | Small projects that do not meet thresholds (exempt)
• Tier 1 | Medium-sized projects
• Tier 2 | Large projects with additional requirements

Some land uses (MU-4, RH-6, RH-7) and smaller projects are exempt because they already follow existing TDM rules. The TDM requirements for these three land uses are guided by BRC 9-9-22. If you have questions regarding the TDM requirements for these land uses, please contact staff at TDMPlan@bouldercolorado.gov.

The table below shows the size thresholds for different types of building uses.

• Buildings that do not meet the thresholds are exempt from the ordinance.
• Buildings that meet the thresholds are divided into two tiers: Tier 1 and Tier 2.

For both Tier 1 and Tier 2 projects, property owners or developers are required to provide an Annual Financial Guarantee (AFG). This payment is made to the city, which then distributes the funds to tenants to cover the cost of programs and incentives included in the approved TDM Plan.

A Financial Guarantee Calculator is available below to help estimate the required amount.

Tier 2 (largest) projects have additional requirements, including:

• A Remedial Financial Guarantee (RFG)
• Annual monitoring of vehicle trip generation

Requirements vary between Tier 1 and Tier 2 projects, but all are based on an Annual Financial Guarantee (AFG) paid by the property owner.

• The AFG covers the cost of required TDM programs and benefits.
• Payments are made to the city, which then distributes the funds to tenants to provide the approved TDM incentives to residents and employees.

Tier 2 (larger) developments have additional requirements:

• They must stay within a set vehicle trip generation (VTG) target to reduce impacts on the transportation system, nearby properties and neighborhoods.
• They must also provide a Remedial Financial Guarantee (RFG). This funding is used to supplement the AFG if the project exceeds its vehicle trip target.

Tier 1 Requirements

• Annual Financial Guarantees (AFG)
• Approved TDM Plan
• Annual Report

Tier 2 Requirements

• Annual Financial Guarantees (AFG)
• Remedial Financial Guarantee (RFG)
• Approved TDM Plan
• Vehicle Trip Generation (VTG) Target
• Annual Report including VTG Study

Under the new ordinance, owners of buildings that meet the thresholds are required to pay annual financial guarantees to cover the cost of the programs and incentives of staff-approved TDM Plans. The financial guarantees are paid to the city and then the city disperses the funds to tenants to implement the TDM Plan. TDM incentives paid for with AFGs include benefits like:

• RTD EcoPasses
• Vanpool subsidies
• Micromobility memberships
• Parking cash out programs

The city has created a calculator for AFG/RFG that property owners and developers can use to estimate AFG and RFG amounts. For Tier 2 properties, the calculator also provide an estimate of the building Vehicle Trip Generation Target.

The TDM Toolkit provides guidance and resources to help property owners, developers, consultants and tenants:

• Understand and meet ordinance requirements
• Submit applications and upload documents through the Customer Self Service portal
• Create TDM Plans using ready-made templates
• Complete annual reports and vehicle trip studies

Email TDMPlan@bouldercolorado.gov for copy of the TDM Toolkit or call 303-441-3200 and schedule an appointment to review the TDM Plan Application Process.