International parking thought leader Donald Shoup (“The High Cost of Free Parking“) has offered some thoughts on Portland’s debate about apartment buildings with no off-site parking in an op-ed in the Oregonian.

Shoup’s ideas are always thought-provoking, but his suggestions here get at a key distinction: car ownership and storage versus car use.

Portland’s existing parking permit districts typically provide enforcement from 8AM until the early evening, targeting people who are driving to a district.

Shoup is suggesting permits to regulate overnight parking, which targets the ownership and storage of cars, not where you use them to drive to.

Fascinating.