Parking minimums were first enacted in 1950s America during the post-war construction boom with the intention of preventing street parking from becoming overcrowded. However, because most cities do not charge for on-street parking, curb congestion has continued to be a problem since drivers usually attempt to find a spot closer to their destination regardless of the number of free off-street spots. Requirements vary based on the type and usage of the building, with some typically being one parking spot per: apartment; 300 square feet of retail or commercial space; 100 square feet of restaurant dining area; two hospital beds; or five seats in a church's pews. In the United States, it has been estimated that 2.5 to 7 times as many parking spots exist as registered vehicles. Parking minimums have shifted the cost of parking spaces from drivers to building developers, making them a hidden cost ($28,000 for non-garage, $56,000 for garage spaces, excluding the cost of land) that thereby increases the cost of rents by nearly 20%, and has contributed to America's housing affordability problem.
