The mayor of Vancouver has officially killed the proposed parking plan in Vancouver for overnight cars and guests.

Earlier this year, the city of Vancouver proposed reducing pollution in the city by targeting motorists. The proposed program was aimed at charging RVs up to $ 45 a year for overnight parking and $ 3 for their guests.

However, it was confirmed on Wednesday that the “Climate Emergency Parking Program” has now been kicked to the curb and will not continue.

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On October 6, Vancouver Mayor Kennedy Stewart took the decisive vote on the proposed permit plan, which allowed car owners to park their vehicles overnight in city streets. The program, originally set up by staff with the majority of the council’s request, fell short by a 6-5 vote.

The decision did not come easily. Council members spent two days listening and casting their vote.

The program was part of the larger climate contingency plan, which the council unanimously voted in favor of in November 2020, and instructed staff to come up with ways in which the city can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent by 2030.

Original proposal for overnight parking on streets in Vancouver

Residents would have been required to obtain a residence permit. It would cost $ 45 + per. Year and be required for parking from 22:00 to 07:00 on all residential roads and streets. Signs would be marked in these areas that said “No parking except residents in this block.”

In addition, visitors would have had to pay $ 3 if they wanted to park overnight in these areas.

Photo: Vancouver City / Form din by

Photo: Vancouver City / Form din by

Pollution parking fee

In addition to parking permits, a surcharge has also been discussed. Vancouverites who own a 2023 or newer “highly polluting” vehicle can be charged up to $ 1,000 a year through a parking permit.

2023 or newer vehicles considered “moderately polluting” would cost $ 500 for the same parking permit. Electric and “low-polluting” new vehicles would be excluded, as would 2022 models or older or specialized wheelchair vehicles.

It is not clear whether this pollution plan will still continue at this stage.

Photo: Vancouver City / Form din by

Mixed reactions

As always, there are some who agree and disagree with the decision.

Although the issue of climate control is a persistent concern, many are actually arguing that the parking plan would not solve the problem itself and had “holes” in it.

It was not a good plan, so it was voted down. There needs to be a fairer way of taxing people with vehicles than based on street parking permits. And I do not know that there was enough data to indicate that it would have “significantly reduced car emissions”

– Earthly Pursuits (@earthly_p) October 7, 2021

It amazes me that anyone actually thinks it would have made a significant dent in emissions. It would have applied to a minority of vehicles driving in the Van, and it would have charged people for parking, not for driving. It would have made as much as zero difference for emissions.

– David Fine at VanPoli (@VanPoliMorphus) October 7, 2021

I pay permission to park on my street during the day, I now had to pay more to park my efficient gas-powered car overnight because I can not / can not afford a garage, but my neighbor can park his 3 gas guzzling SUV in his garage for free?

Am I reading this correctly?

– Warren Twocock (@realtworoosters) October 7, 2021

One problem with this scenario was that it would only affect parking spaces on the street overnight, so homeowners are likely to park in their garage. But basement suite tenants would pay the new tax. That’s not fair.

– Allison Noort (@AllisonKn) October 7, 2021

While the night parking schedule is done, Vancouverites can look forward to the next proposal that may be in the process of resolving emissions.

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