26th Street Resident Exempt Parking Area Project

A REPA would allow permit holders (e.g. residents, adjacent businesses) to park on-street longer than posted time limits. Non-permit holders parked longer than the time limits may be subject to a fine. The purpose of a REPA is to improve parking opportunities for residents while balancing the needs of all users.

Parking signs would look similar to the sign shown to the left. The sign would include:

• The time limit (2 or 4 hours)
• The restricted days/hours (e.g. 8 AM to 4 PM, Monday to Friday); and,
• Would have text saying "Except Permit Holders"

Motorists with or without a permit could park longer than the time limits outside of the restricted days/hours.

Who can purchase a permit?

Within the project boundary, residents and local businesses will be eligible to purchase a permit. Businesses outside of the REPA area would also be eligible to purchase permits in order to park in the area for longer than the posted time limits, if their service vehicles are serving a property in the boundary.

How do I know if I am eligible to purchase a permit?

• Resident REPA Permits: address must be located within the REPA area (see map for area).
• Local Business REPA Permits: address must be located within the REPA area (see map for area).
• Service Vehicle REPA Permits: any business with service vehicles is eligible, but must be actively servicing a property within the area to use the Service Vehicle REPA Permit.

How many permits can I purchase?

• Resident REPA Permits: 2 permits per dwelling
• Local Business REPA Permits: 3 permits per local business
• Service Vehicle REPA Permits: 2 permits per business

How much will a Resident REPA Permit Cost?

• The fees for REPA permits are established in the City’s Fees & Charges Bylaw.
• Resident REPA Permits cost $12.50 per year. In 2022, 50% of the cost ($6.25) will be charged due to the project start date in July.

How much will a Local Business and Service Vehicle REPA Permit Cost?

• The fees for REPA permits are established in the City’s Fees & Charges Bylaw.
• Local Business and Service Vehicle REPA Permits cost $120 per year. However, costs are pro-rated based on the quarter the permits were purchased. See the table below.

How will I be able to purchase a permit?

• REPA Permits can be purchased at the Community Services Building (the old library building at 3001 32nd Avenue) during business hours (Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, except statutory holidays).
• Payment must be cash, debit, or cheque.

What will I need to provide to purchase a REPA permit?

The following is required for each permit type:

• Resident REPA Permits:
  • Vehicle registration showing your name, license plate, and address (located within the REPA zone).
  • Photo ID showing your current address (located within the REPA zone).
• Local Business REPA Permits: 3 permits per local business
  • Business license showing business name and address (located within the REPA zone).
• Service Vehicle REPA Permits: 2 permits per business
  • Business license showing business name and address (located within the REPA zone).
  • Vehicle registration showing license plate and address.

What if I lose my REPA permit?

• Replacements will be sold at the same price as if you were buying a new permit.

What if I get a new licence plate?

• You will be required to submit the old REPA permit that will be replaced to the Community Services Building (the old library building at 3001 32nd Avenue) during business hours (Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, except statutory holidays).
• Resident REPA Permits - Replacements will be sold for an administrative fee of $6.25 in 2022. In 2023, they will be sold for the full administrative fee of $12.50.
• Local Business REPA Permits - not applicable because the permits are transferrable between employees and are not related to the licence plate.
• Service Vehicle REPA Permits - Replacements will be sold for an administrative fee of $12.50.

Why do I have to pay for a REPA permit?

On-street parking is owned by all members of the public, and is not designated for one specific group. The REPA program ensures that all members of the public can use the public on-street parking, but permit holders would have more benefits. This program takes significant time and resources to implement and operate:

1. Additional staff time to administer and enforce the program.
2. Costs to install new signs and maintain them.
3. Costs to design and operate permitting system.
4. Staff time and resources to monitor the program into the future.

The current costs for permits ($12.50 per year for residents and $120 per year for local businesses / service vehicles) are minimal compared to the time and resources required for the City to operate the program.

Why couldn't this parking be for residents only?

Public streets are intended for all residents and visitors, and should not be designated for one user group. Keeping the area as a Resident Exempt Parking Area still allows anyone to park there.

What if I have a visitor or client coming that needs to park for longer than the time limits?

• If your visitor or client needs to park longer than the posted time limits, we recommend that if you have a REPA permit, you park your vehicle(s) on-street while your visitor or client parks on your property.
• Note that we are not issuing visitor REPA permits.
• If you have a large event coming up, you can call the City's Bylaw Compliance Department in advance to discuss (250-550-3505).

What if I'm a business (e.g. plumbing, contractor) that needs to service a home on 26th Street?

If your service vehicle needs to service a home on 26th St for longer than the posted time limits, you can purchase a Service Vehicle REPA Permit. Or, you can request to park on your client's private property.

How will the REPA help with 26th Street becoming narrower after a snowfall?

The purpose of the REPA is to reduce parking congestion, which could create more space on-street for vehicles to pull over and pass each other. At this time, we recommend keeping parking on both sides where possible to help calm traffic. In addition, staff can implement temporary no parking areas in the winter to help with snow ploughing if needed.

What if the 26th Street parking congestion spills over into adjacent streets?

Staff would continually monitor and may be required to expand the program if necessary to address parking spill over.

How did the City decide which areas are recommended for 2 hour and 4 hour parking areas?

Staff collected parking congestion and turnover data which informed the 2 hour and 4 hour parking areas.

Where would commuters park if 26th Street is no longer an option for them?

There is still some monthly parking capacity at the City's monthly parking lots that could be used. Moreover, the City is continually making improvements to alternative transportation options across the City (walking, biking, small-wheeled transport, and transit) that should be encouraged to reduce parking demand.