Skip to navigation

Additional Metered Parking Information

Information on the Meter May Save you a Ticket

Motorists often forget to read informational decals on meters before depositing coins. In addition to informing the public on the hours and days of operation, the time limit and the rate, meter decals also indicate:

  1. Rush hour restrictions. It’s not much fun to find your car has been towed away because it was left in a rush hour lane.

  2. Special event/construction zone restrictions. Film shoots often occur at night. A legal parking spot in the day might become a no stopping area after dark. Metered blocks that turn into restricted zones are indicated by signing on the block and on the meter.

  3. Out of order Meters - Drivers are not allowed to leave their vehicles at a malfunctioning meter or one that displays "Out of order". To report a malfunctioning meter, please call 3-1-1

Malfunctioning Meter

In the event you find a malfunctioning meter or for any other meter related issues please call 3-1-1

Please provide the six digit meter number [00-00-00] located on the side of the meter.

Meter Hooding [Reserving parking meter space]

If you wish to reserve meters for purposes of moving please contact or visit the Engineering Customer Service Counter at 5th floor, 507 West Broadway. You can obtain information about cost and requirements of Temporary Stopping Zone permits [TSZ] by calling 3-1-1

Meter Requests & Installation

The purpose for parking meters is to encourage on-street parking turn-over to allow business patrons to find parking. Parking Management staff handles meter requests year round. Each year businesses, business associations and community groups request for short-term parking for their area and the City will investigate the demand for parking and suggest whether meter installation is an option. If a request is suitable for parking meters, and is located within an approved meter zone, the request will go for approval and if approved, be forwarded to Parking Operations for installation. If you would like to request for a review on parking meters in your area please call: 3-1-1

Meter Maintenance

Parking Operations staff work seven days a week to maintain Vancouver's 9,000 meters. Each year maintenance staff conduct several preventative programs to ensure meters are kept in good running order. The City also spends significant capital to update meter heads and mechanisms. The Meter Maintenance Section checks and repairs out of order meters within 24 hours of a public complaint. Malfunctioning meters or requests for refunds can be reported to: 3-1-1. Please do not park at a malfunctioning meter; this makes it easier to conduct repairs and it may save you a parking ticket. It is a violation of City of Vancouver By-Law #2952 to park in a meter space with an out of order meter.

Meter Collections

The revenue from the City of Vancouver's parking meters is collected seven days a week. These daily collections reduce the number of “jammed” meters and incidents of theft.

[top]