Parking when there is no signage

Not all parking rules in Vancouver require signed zones. Street and lane regulations are enforced under Street and Traffic By-law 2849 (947 KB).

Street parking violations

3-hour by-law: Parking next to properties where you do not live or work

New updates to the by-law: November 2023
3-hour by-law: parking on a block that you do not live on

Between 8am and 6pm every day, do not park your vehicle for more than 3 hours on a block that you do not live on [Section 17.6 (f)].

Residency requirements associated with this by-law will be determined by vehicle registration with ICBC.

The 3-hour by-law restricts non-residents from parking for more than 3 hours on a block where they don't live. This helps residents access their homes during the day.

3-hour by-law: parking in front of commercial properties

Between 8am and 6pm every day, do not park your vehicle for more than 3 hours in front of commercial properties that you do not work at [Section 17.6 (f)].

The 3-hour by-law restricts parking for more than 3 hours. This helps business owners and employees get to their workplaces during the day.

Exempted from 3-hour time limits
- Carshare vehicles
- Emergency vehicles
- Consular vehicles
Blocking access to property, access to fire hydrants, and restricting sightlines
By blocking access, you are blocking:
- A driver, cyclist, and pedestrian's visibility
- Access for firefighters to hydrants
Where you should not stop or park
- Within 6 metres of the nearest edge of the closest sidewalk on an intersecting street [Section 17.5 (c)]
- Within 9 metres of the nearest edge of the pavement on an intersecting street where no sidewalk exists [Section 17.5 (d)]
- Within 1.5 metres of a private road, boulevard crossing, or sidewalk crossing [Section 17.2 (d)]
- Within 6 metres of either side of a crosswalk [Section 17.4 (b)]
- On a crosswalk [Section 17.4 (a)]
- Within 6 metres of the approach side of a stop sign [Section 17.2 (a)]
- Within 5 metres of a fire hydrant, measured from either side of the hydrant, starting from the nearest curb or road edge [Section 17.2 (c)]
Blocking access to bus stops
Unless otherwise indicated by a traffic control device or bus zone signs, don't park at a bus stop [Section 17.3].

You must park a minimum of:
- 36 metres away from the approach side of the bus stop sign
- 8 metres away from the departure side of the bus stop sign
Blocking drivers and pedestrians from moving
These violations can block other drivers and pedestrians.

Where you should not stop or park
- On sidewalks or sidewalk crossings [Sections 17.4 (c), (d)]
- On any portion of a street that is designated for use by persons on bicycles, non-motorized skates, skateboards, or push scooters [Section 17.2 (l)]
- Unparallel with the curb or roadway unless there are marks or signs that indicate angle parking [Section 18.1 (a)]
- In the opposite direction of traffic [Section 18.1 (b)]
- More than 30 centimetres from the curb or edge of the roadway [Section 18.1 (c)]
- Within an intersection [Section 17.4 (f)]
  This includes the far side of a T-intersection unless noted otherwise by regulatory signage.
- Within 6 metres of a firehall on the side of the street of where a firehall is located or within 25 metres of a firehall on the opposite side of the street where the firehall is located [Section 17.2 (b)]
Stopping on boulevards or medians
Stopping on a boulevard or median can block traffic, cyclists, or pedestrians and potentially create unsafe driving conditions.

Where you should not stop or park

Do not stop on a boulevard unless it is specifically designated for parking motor vehicles [Section 17.4 (e)].

A boulevard is on a street:
- With curbs (The portion of the street between the outside curb and the adjoining property line.)
- Without curbs (The portion of the street between the edge of the roadway and the adjoining property line.)
- Where traffic is separated by a median (It includes the median.)
Lane parking violations
These violations can block:
- Lanes for other drivers and pedestrians
- Access to driveways, garages, waste containers, and fire escapes
How much space should you leave when you stop or park in a lane
- 3 metres clearance in lanes to allow traffic to continue to flow [Section 19.1 (d)]
- 1.5 metres on either side of and 5.5 metres directly in front of private driveways, roads, and garage entrances [Section 19.1 (g)]
- 1.5 metres on either side of a garbage container [Section 17.2 (e)]
- 2 metres between the vehicle and the nearest edge of the closest sidewalk on an intersecting street [Section 19.1 (b)]
Section 19.1 (f):
- 0.5 metres along the lane from either edge of a door, gate or opening in a wall or other barrier that permits pedestrian access between public and private property
- 3 metres into the lane from the front of either edge of a door, gate, or opening in a wall or other barrier that permits pedestrian access between public and private property