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Parking Operations Information |
Top 10 Ways to Avoid Getting a Parking Ticket1. Watch for signsAs the pressure for on-street parking continues to build, more areas of Vancouver have posted parking restrictions. New permit and resident only zones are added each year, time limit areas expand and rush hour signing multiplies. When you throw in additional “temporary” signing for construction zones, street cleaning and film shoots it means even the quietest side street can have regulated parking. Signs without specific times listed are in effect 24 hours a day. 2. Read the metersHurried motorists often forget to check the information on the meter before depositing coins. Some of the important things they might miss include:
[top] 3. Be careful in lanesIn Vancouver all lanes (except in the area bounded by Burrard Street, Coal Harbour, Stanley Park and English Bay) that abut commercial property (e.g. stores, hotels, restaurants, parking lots) are classified as commercial. The only vehicles allowed to stop in these laneways are properly licensed commercial vehicles. In busy business areas (the downtown core, Broadway corridor, West 4th Avenue, Kingsway, Kerrisdale, South Granville), many of the lane entrances have warning signs, but under the by-law signing is not required. See Commercial Zones/Lanes. There are several other parking restrictions in lanes. Vehicles will be ticketed and may be impounded for:
All of these violations, including commercial lane, are in effect 24 hours a day, seven days a week. See Unsigned Regulations. [top] 4. Stay away from corners.The space at the end of the block is an inviting temptation to the frustrated driver looking for parking. Beware! The City of Vancouver requires vehicles to park 6 metres from the inside edge of the intersecting sidewalk. How far is 6 metres? It’s roughly 20 feet, which is over a car length. The “corner clearance” by-law is intended to provide pedestrians, cyclists and motorists with both a clear field of vision and plenty of space when approaching intersections. [top] 5. Leave bus stops for busesDrivers often pull into bus stops to wait for a friend, buy a cup of coffee or use a bank machine. Even a quick stop blocks the zone, forcing Translink drivers to unload or load passengers on the street. This is a potential hazard for elderly and handicapped passengers and an inconvenience for other motorists when the bus is unable to pull into the zone. Parking Enforcement has a zero tolerance policy for bus stop violators. No warnings, no explanations, just a ticket and tow. [top] 6. Park safely at schoolsIt’s 3:00 p.m., Thursday afternoon. Hundreds of elementary school children are heading home. Parents are waiting to pick them up. Where should these vehicles safely park? Most schools have No Parking 8 am to 5 pm. School Day signing that is designed to accommodate motorists dropping off or picking up children. Drivers should not use the No Stopping 8 am to 5 pm. School Day zones. These areas are located outside major entrance and exit doors and are to be kept clear to provide clear visibility for motorists and students. Drivers should never double park to load or discharge children from their vehicles. This puts kids in the dangerous position of crossing a lane of traffic without seeing or being seen by other motorists. Parking Enforcement frequently monitors school zones. Motorists using No Stopping areas or double parking to load or discharge children will be ticketed. [top] 7. Use off-street parkingDo your meetings run late? Does the doctor keep you waiting? Utilizing off-street parking options will avoid the hassle of worrying about an expired meter or moving your vehicle out of a time limit area. The purpose of metered and time limit areas is to encourage the turnover of vehicles in places where there is a high demand for on-street parking. If your appointment requires longer term parking, save the cost of a ticket and use a private lot. [top] 8. Know the difference between: “no parking” and “no stopping”The No Stopping Anytime symbol is the most restrictive parking regulation in Vancouver. Once a vehicle has ceased moving, even if occupied, it is deemed stopped. Bus, Tour Bus, Taxi, Commercial and No Stopping Anytime zones are all off limits to unauthorized vehicles. If a driver chooses to stop in any of these zones they can be ticketed and towed. The No Parking Anytime symbol is less restrictive. Drivers are allowed to use these zones (e.g. Passenger, Loading, and No Parking Anytime) to load or unload goods or to pick up or discharge passengers for a period up to five minutes. [top] 9. Respect residential parking restrictionsIn responding to neighbourhood concerns about parking pressures, the City of Vancouver has established dozens of permit and resident only parking zones. These areas are clearly posted and for the exclusive use of area residents. Other parking alternatives are available for visitors and service people. Parking Enforcement patrols these areas seven days a week to ensure residents have access to on-street parking in their neighbourhood. [top] 10. Err on the side of cautionHave I parked too close to the corner? What do those signs mean? Am I blocking another vehicle? If you’re not sure, find another spot. Parking Enforcement receives thousands of complaints each year from people inconvenienced by a poor parking decision. [top]
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City of Vancouver, Engineering Services |
