You've probably noticed the white plastic permit cards hanging from some vehicles' rear-view mirrors that display the blue and white international symbol of wheelchair accessibility.
These special parking permits are issued by the Social Planning and Research Council (SPARC) and are valid for a period of three years. Permit holders are people who either need the extra width of the special parking stalls due to mobility impairments, or require the convenience of parking close to a building entrance.
In the City of North Vancouver, vehicles that display a valid SPARC card are not required to pay for parking in City-owned parking lots and are not subject to time restrictions posted at street parking locations. City-owned parking lots and paid street parking are at the following locations:
- Underground parking at the North Vancouver City Library (height restriction: 2.1m or 6ft-10in)
- North side of 100 East 1st Street
- Pay station on 15th Street and St Andrews Avenue, adjacent to Lions Gate Hospital
- 132 West Esplanade (Esplanade Centre Parking only)
Private Lots
Please note this exemption does not apply to privately-owned parking lots.
All lots have their controlling agency posted on their signs. SPARC card holders must adhere to the time limits posted at these privately-owned and managed locations.