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S 2974

Revises standards for parking spaces required in Statewide site improvement standards at residential developments relative to development's proximity to public transportation.*

2024-2025 Regular Session Introduced by Paul Sarlo and 2 co-sponsors

Reduces residential parking minimums in the SSIS based on proximity to transit, including eliminating off-street parking within 0.5 miles of rail and cutting requirements up to 50%

Reported from Senate Committee as a Substitute, 2nd Reading
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Bill Summary · S 2974

Summary — S 2974 (Senate Committee Substitute)

Status: Reported from Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee as a Substitute; 2nd Reading
Introduced: (originally) March 18, 2024; SCS reported March 17, 2025; further actions noted Oct 3, 2025
Effective date: Immediately upon enactment
Primary sponsor (as listed): Cindy Hyde‑Smith
Related/companion: A3043

Purpose

S 2974 directs the Commissioner of Community Affairs to change the Statewide Site Improvement Standards (SSIS) parking requirements for residential development based on proximity to public transportation. The intent is to reduce mandated on‑ and off‑street parking where transit access exists, encouraging transit‑oriented development and reducing parking construction burdens.

Key provisions

  • The Commissioner of Community Affairs must adopt regulations (under the Administrative Procedure Act) revising maximum required on‑ and off‑street parking in the SSIS according to transit proximity.

  • Specific standards (as adopted in the Committee Substitute):

    • Eliminate off‑street parking requirements entirely for residential developments located within one‑half mile (0.5 mi) of any rail passenger service station.
    • Reduce required parking by 50% for developments within one‑half mile of any of the following:
    • “Public transportation service” (defined to include NJ Transit rail and motorbus stations/terminals and ferry terminals),
    • Locations served by five or more motorbus regular routes operated under P.L.1979, c.150 (NJ Transit),
    • A roadway within a municipality that has at least 15 roadside bus stops for such motorbus routes.
    • Reduce required parking by 30% for developments located between one‑half mile and one mile (0.5–1.0 mi) from any of the same categories listed above.

  • Definitions: Terms such as “rail passenger service,” “motorbus regular route service,” and “ferry passenger service” are anchored to existing statutory definitions in P.L.1979, c.150 (NJ Transit law).

Who is affected

  • Residential developers and property owners: lower mandated parking minimums near transit can reduce development costs and site footprint.
  • Municipalities and planners: SSIS is a statewide standard used in local site plan reviews; changes will alter local permit and design requirements.
  • Transit riders, neighborhood parking conditions, and local traffic patterns: reduced on‑site parking may shift parking demand to streets or encourage transit/walking/biking.
  • NJ Transit and municipalities: criteria reference NJ Transit services and route counts; coordination may be required to identify qualifying locations.

Procedural / timeline notes

  • The bill requires the Commissioner to promulgate implementing regulations via the Administrative Procedure Act; actual changes take effect after rulemaking and final adoption, but the statute itself takes effect immediately upon enactment.
  • The Committee Substitute narrows and reorganizes the originally introduced/older text (which proposed graduations including 20%/30%/50% based on different distance bands). The SCS language above is the controlling version reported by committee.

Potential impacts to consider

  • Likely reductions in construction costs and land devoted to parking near transit; potential to increase housing density and transit use.
  • Possible increases in curbside parking demand where off‑street parking is reduced or eliminated unless managed with local regulations (permit parking, pricing).
  • Implementation will require mapping/identification of qualifying transit proximity and route counts for consistent application.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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