Residents asked to help shape city-wide Permit-parking Program
We're asking for public input on changes to residential parking regulations which would see the introduction of permit parking in all residential neighbourhoods.
Permit programs help us better manage parking and street space by encouraging more people to park off-street, freeing up road space for those who need it while making provisions for visitors and service providers. The proposed city-wide program is intended to:
- Make it easier for residents, visitors, and service providers to find parking on the street
- Protect neighbourhoods from future parking issues that might otherwise be caused by development, commuting patterns, or other local conditions
- Improve the customer experience in existing and future permit areas by making permits and passes easier to get, with simple online options (while still maintaining in-person options for those who need them)
Supports Climate Emergency Action Plan goals
The proposed program would also support goals under the Climate Emergency Action Plan and goals related to sustainable transportation, public space, and water management. It is intended to:
- Support safer streets and cleaner air by reducing driving in circles looking for parking
- Encourage zero-emissions vehicles for people buying new ones through a carbon surcharge for newer, higher-priced vehicles that burn gas and diesel
- Enable space to be converted to other uses (e.g. green infrastructure, wider sidewalks, public spaces)
Permit costs
Any specific details regarding permit costs will be considered by Council after we engage with the public and develop a detailed program.
Existing fees will remain the same for neighbourhoods that already have permit regulations. The new permit system will only apply to neighbourhoods that do not have permit-parking regulations. For older or lower-priced vehicles, we do not expect the cost of new parking permits in those neighbourhoods would be more than the cheapest residential parking permit that the City sells today (currently $45.45 per year).
Tell us what you think
Until February 28, people can share their feedback on residential parking to help us shape the program. Using this feedback, we will develop and share a detailed proposal with the public this spring for further feedback before going to Council for approval in July.