Parking standards are one tool local governments and schools can use to foster smart growth, incentivize alternative modes of transportation, and potentially generate significant revenue.  Parking standards are a type of travel demand management and include parking requirements, variable-rate parking pricing, and carpool-based parking permits.  Parking standards can also be adopted for bicycle parking.

Parking requirements, a type of zoning code, provide guidelines for how much parking is needed for different land uses, lots or building types.  Reduced parking requirements may encourage drivers to switch to alternative travel modes and are an important component of transit-oriented development.