To permit or not to permit? Vancouverites ponder city-wide parking proposal

The City of Vancouver wants the public to weigh in on a proposal to bring permit street parking to all residential neighbourhoods.

Permit regulations already exist in many of Vancouver's most popular and dense neighbourhoods like the West End, Kitsilano and Commercial Drive. 

The city says expanding the program would achieve a number of positive outcomes: 

• Encourage more people to park off-street.
• Free up road space.
• Allow provisions for visitors and service providers.
• Protect against future parking issues caused by development and other issues.
• Reduce emissions, as drivers wouldn't have to circle looking for a place to park. 
• Provide more space for green initiatives and wider streets and sidewalks.

The new regulations will also promote the use of zero-emission vehicles, according to Councillor Christine Boyle, through a surcharge for some fossil fuel burning cars.

"It wouldn't apply if you're buying a new [Honda] Civic or a more affordable option, but if you're buying a $60,000 new gas car and you could buy an electric, there'd be a pollution surcharge," she said. 

According to the city, the new permit system will only apply to residential neighbourhoods that currently don't have regulations in place. 

It says the new parking permits are not expected to exceed $45.45 per year, the cost of the least expensive residential parking permit sold today.

Existing fees will remain the same for neighbourhoods that already have permit regulations.

The survey is open until February 28. An updated proposal will be released in the spring before going to city council for approval in July.