Curbside Guidance

The Curbside Guidance section of the Curbside Action Plan provides a framework for making curbside use and management decisions by street type to support city transportation and mobility goals when there is curb space available to accommodate traditional static parking and loading needs. Blueprint Modal Overlays take priority, so programmable curb space may not always be available. Curbside decisions are made both proactively through planning processes and reactively in response to resident and business requests or changes in land uses. This guidance provides three elements which work together to support City staff when determining what changes are appropriate and explaining to the public how decisions are made.

NOTE: Below curb uses include the area of road adjacent to the curb with uses like vehicle parking, bus lanes, etc. Above curb uses are those which can be placed in the area located within the right-of-way between the curb and private property, which often includes a sidewalk. While above curb uses are important and support curbside functions working in conjunction with below curb uses, they are not covered extensively in this guidance because they are generally determined through outside processes. See Design Considerations associated with each Curb Use in the Curb Use Selection Guide for general guidance for above curb placement.

Curb Use Selection Guide

This element outlines various below curb uses and the recommended distribution of these uses along different street types when there is space available for parking and loading. It also provides guidance on design considerations and placement for each use. The goal of the Curb Use Selection Guide is to implement curbside uses that support land uses, mode choices, and movement of people and goods.

Curbside & Parking Toolkit

This element dives into the specifics of vehicle parking, including paid and time-limited parking. This section provides guidance on when and where the different types of managed parking and loading are appropriate, and details of implementation considerations. The goal of the Curbside & Parking Toolkit is to manage curbside uses to create streets that are places for people and commerce.

When to Use This Guidance

There are a variety of different reasons to refer to this guidance. It can be used proactively while creating Curbside Access Plans, conducting planning studies, considering redevelopments, assessing capital projects, or reviewing other surrounding curb uses initiated by a request for a new curb use or change in curbside management. It can also be used reactively to address a variety of curb use inquiries and requests.

Some examples are listed below and direct the user to the appropriate section.

When to Use Curb Use Selection Guide

A Redevelopment is underway downtown, and it includes a full renovation of the streetscape and curb adjacent to the site.
- Use the Curb Use Selection Guide to determine the priority curb uses for the future.
A Corridor Study is being conducted for a mixed-use corridor.
- Use the Curb Use Selection Guide to determine the priority curb uses for the future.
A business has reached out to the City to request a loading zone in front of their property.
- Use the Curb Use Selection Guide to determine if this curb use is a priority in this location to help inform the decision.

When to Use Curbside TDM Strategies

Despite extensive curbside management, parking demand is still very high in an active commercial district.
- Use the Curbside TDM Strategies to identify opportunities for reducing parking demand through a policy or program that encourages transportation mode shift.

When to Use Curbside & Parking Toolkit

Parking on a collector street adjacent to a busy commercial corridor has been observed to have low turnover.
- Use the Personal Vehicle parking flowchart in the Curbside & Parking Toolkit to determine if implementing time limits to encourage turnover is warranted. If time limits are recommended, use the Time Limit guide in the Curbside & Parking Toolkit to determine the most appropriate time limit to implement.
On-street parking demand is high in a business district, but off-street parking utilization is relatively low.
- Use the Location Management guide in the Curbside & Parking Toolkit to identify wayfinding and information tools to increase utilization of off-street spaces.
A resident requests time-limited parking on a particular block.
- Use the Curbside & Parking Toolkit, including the Personal Vehicle Parking Implementation Flowchart and Demand Management tools, to determine if the time limited parking should be implemented, and if so, when and where.
Parking time limits exist in a business district, but it is still very difficult to find an available parking space in the evening.
- Use the personal vehicle flowchart in the Curbside & Parking Toolkit to determine if paid parking is appropriate. If so, use the Paid Parking guide in the Toolkit to determine fees.

When NOT to use this guidance

When there is no available curb space or if it is already programmed for a bus or bike lane.
When the project is safety oriented.
In cases when parking is being removed to make space for a bus or bike lane, or to widen a sidewalk.