The Curb Access and Parking Plan includes five policy changes. These changes are based on global best parking management practices, alignment with City strategies, and solutions for the challenges that community members have shared. Engagement summary reports are linked in the Related Documents section at the bottom of this page.
| Change 1 |
Expand pay parking in high-demand areas to increase parking turnover and availability. |
| Current State |
Parking in many commercial areas is near 100% occupancy resulting in significant circling for parking or being unable to find a space to park. While time-limited restrictions were effective at managing demand decades ago, they are no longer working with the demand we are seeing today. |
| Anticipated Future State |
Demand is regulated through pricing, ensuring that each block hits a targeted occupancy (with a sweet spot of ~85%) so that a few spaces per block are available at any given time. |
| Change 2 |
Update the Resident and Visitor Parking Policy by expanding coverage and adjusting eligibility criteria and costs. |
| Current State |
The City’s Resident & Visitor Parking Policy is now 30 years old and no longer aligns with the types of housing and buildings being built, nor does it keep pace with the rate of growth and change in curb space demands. Under this policy, Resident Exempt (RE) permits are available to residents living in housing with three unit or and select older multi-family buildings only. |
| Anticipated Future State |
Regardless of housing type, parking permits are available for purchase for residents who need them. Permit rates will reflect demand and can be adjusted on a regular basis to balance demand and supply. |
| Change 3 |
Expand short-term loading zones for the efficient and safe movement of people and goods. |
| Current State |
The movement of people and goods has changed significantly since our streets were originally designed. There are more deliveries occurring because of online shopping and more ride-hailing trips being taken, requiring more short-term spaces to pick up and drop off passengers. Demand exceeds supply of loading zones, resulting in double parking where vehicles park in travel lanes, thereby creating unsafe conditions. |
| Anticipated Future State |
More loading zones for people and goods, in both residential and commercial areas, reducing double parking, and improving safety. |
| Change 4 |
Provide more accessible on-street parking spaces in close proximity to shops, services, and key destinations across the City. |
| Current State |
Accessible on-street parking for people with disabilities is irregular and occupied most of the time. There are now over 3,000 accessible parking permits issued in North Vancouver, with demand for accessible parking spaces across the City continuing to exceed supply, particularly near commercial streets. |
| Anticipated Future State |
Accessible parking is provided at regular intervals near shops and services, and turns over regularly. |
| Change 5 |
Enable unique, special-use parking to ensure a wide range of curbspace needs are achieved. |
| Current State |
There are many different needs for curb access. The majority of curb space currently serves private vehicle parking, limiting other curb uses that can encourage efficient ways to travel, contribute to local economic development, and reduce our carbon pollution and impact on the environment. |
| Anticipated Future State |
More space for unique parking needs. |
The Curb Access and Parking Plan was developed in partnership with residents, business owners, and community groups.
The City conducted two phases of engagement to learn about the experiences and perspectives of those who live, work, and visit the City, identifying challenges and potential solutions to improve the lives of those who use our streets every day.
To learn more about how we engaged the community on this project, visit our Let's Talk CNV Curb Access & Parking Plan webpage. Engagement summary reports are also linked in the Related Documents section at the bottom of this page.
For more information, including on planning and implementation, pay parking areas, parking pricing and permit parking for residents, see additional frequently asked questions.
Can I provide feedback on the Plan?
Two comprehensive rounds of public engagement were undertaken between 2023 and 2024 as part of the development of the Curb Access and Parking Plan. For the second phase of engagement, the City circulated a City-wide mail-out to residents and businesses, inviting them to participate in the process. Engagement summary reports can be found on our Let's Talk CNV Curb Access & Parking Plan webpage.
The Curb Access and Parking Plan was endorsed by Council in April 2025. The City will closely monitor how changes through initial implementation impact parking occupancy, and will consider further adjustments in locations where parking outcomes do not align with objectives. At any point, you can share your feedback with cityparking@cnv.org.
Why is this Plan needed now?
The City’s existing parking policy is 30 years old and no longer aligns with the types of housing and buildings being built, nor does it account for the growth and change in curb space demands. Current demand for parking and curb space is outweighing supply, and as the City continues to grow, so too will this demand, making it even more challenging for residents and visitors to find on-street parking, and creating more congestion and lost time as drivers struggle to find parking.
The City’s Mobility Strategy (also known as a transportation master plan) includes a goal to limit the number of vehicles driving during peak hours. By appropriately pricing on-street curb space and parking, this can encourage people to consider what travel mode they take for each trip, whether this is carpooling, walking, cycling, taking transit.
The City has been working on transformative changes to curb space and regulations to modernize curbside use and parking access across the City since 2022. Following a robust, two-year engagement process, the City is now ready to implement the initial phases of the Curbside Access and Parking Plan with changes beginning in fall 2025 in Lower and Central Lonsdale. Following monitoring of these neighbourhoods in 2026, other neighbourhoods will see curb space adjustments, starting in 2027 where warranted.