• VMC 19.08.030 allows for downtown residents who live in housing without a driveway or garage to receive a long-term permit for no charge.
• The code provision was intended to help residents who moved into existing residential units that were built without access to off-street parking.
• The increase in residential construction in downtown Vancouver has resulted in confusion about the applicability of this provision to newly constructed buildings with limited parking for residents with multiple vehicles.
• This provision is no longer consistent with the City’s recently adopted Climate Action Framework or best practices in parking and transportation demand management, which call for market pricing for on-street parking to encourage parking turnover and use of alternative transportation options.
• Staff recommends discontinuing the issuance of long-term parking permits under this code provision and allowing existing permit holders to retain their permits without rights of assignment.

Objective 1.1: Develop and maintain a safe, balanced and innovative transportation system that will meet the needs of future generations

Objective 6.1: Support a strong, active neighborhood program that enhances livability and community connections

Objective 6.2:  Improve amenities to allow residents to “age in place"

Objective 8.1: Make downtown Vancouver a vibrant destination for the community and the region

Objective 8.2:  Strengthen neighborhood business districts

The Vancouver Municipal Code (VMC) includes a provision that allows for residents of select downtown parking zones without access to a garage or driveway to receive long-term parking permit at no charge to park downtown. Specifically, VMC 19.08.030 states:

“Anyone who establishes that he or she resides in Zones 1, 1A, 2 or 3 and has no garage or driveway shall be issued a long- term permit for no charge for each vehicle registered in his or her name and then can park such vehicle while such permit is properly displayed at any legal parking space in Zone 3 which is marked for parking by permit only.”

The City has issued 44 permits for 14 properties under this provision. These properties are primarily older buildings without any onsite parking for either retail tenants or residents.

In recent years, downtown Vancouver has experienced a surge in the construction of new multifamily residential buildings that include parking typically at a rate of 1 space per residential unit. Households with more than one vehicle must find alternate parking for any additional vehicles. This dynamic has created more demand for on-street parking downtown, and some new residents are now interpreting this code provision to mean that the City must provide free on-street parking permits to any resident who does not have sufficient parking within their own development. This interpretation could be used to justify free parking for any development downtown that fails to meet the parking needs of all of its residents.

• In addition to changes in demand for parking due to new residential construction, the City’s priorities have changed significantly since this provision was enacted in the code: In December 2022, City Council adopted a Climate Action Framework that includes strategies to shift driving trips to clean, active modes of transportation and implementation parking demand management across Vancouver.
• The City is planning an update to the Downtown Parking Plan in 2023 that will emphasize more intentional management of existing supply and use of market pricing of on-street and off-street parking to encourage more efficient use of parking and transition to alternative modes of transportation.
• The current code provision is not informed by the City’s priorities around equity and inclusion. While some form of reduced parking fee may be appropriate to achieve equitable access to parking, the current policy is tied to a physical location rather than the needs of particular residents. The adoption of a new parking plan will allow the City to explore and implement best practices related equitable access to parking.

Parking Advisory Committee discussed issues with this part of VMC at the October 2022 meeting and agreed with the need to update code to eliminate confusion about the policy for issuing long-term parking permits.

The proposed change to this code provision will allow existing permit holders to retain their no-charge permits as long as they live at their current address. In addition, permit holders will not be allowed to apply for additional permits and will not be able to transfer existing permits to other individuals. Upon approval by Council, the change to this ordinance would go into effect immediately.

1. Eliminates inconsistency in City code providing free access to parking for a limited number of downtown residents.

1. Encourages use of alternative transportation methods for downtown residents.
2. Frees up on-street parking for retail businesses and employees who work downtown.