FAQs

A parking study is an analysis conducted to assess the supply, demand, and operational efficiency of parking facilities within a study area. The study will often help inform parking strategies and policy direction. The public study aims to address common operational challenges. However, it may not resolve every isolated parking issue. Instead, a key objective of the study is to develop a policy framework and provide tools that will enable City staff to manage and respond to a variety of parking-related concerns effectively after the study is complete.

There are two types of parking provided by the City, on-street and off-street.

On-street parking:

• These parking spaces provide the easiest and quickest access to the front doors of businesses.
• These spaces consist of both marked and unmarked parking spaces.
• On-street parking within the Downtown Area consists of a mix of 15-minute, 30-minute, four-hour, and 12-hour limits.

Off-street parking:

• Off-street parking refers to parking spaces in parking lots.
• Lots can be privately owned and operated, privately owned and publicly operated, or publicly owned and publicly operated.
• Within the Downtown area, there are:
  • off-street parking owned and maintained by the City and consists of four-hour metered parking, 12-hour metered parking, and 24-hour free parking.
  • off-street parking privately owned and operated.

Pay-by-Plate: users register their vehicle’s license plate and pay at a parking machine or kiosk station using a credit card or cash. The system records payment and monitors compliance by associating the license plate with the paid duration. This paperless solution reduces the risk of ticket loss or damage.

Pay-by-Phone (Mobile application): Users can pay for parking through a mobile application. After downloading and linking their payment method, they can scan a QR code at the parking location or enter details like the parking zone number. The application simplifies payment, allowing users to pay for their required duration without physical tickets or cash.

Parking Meters: Users pay for parking by inserting coins directly into a meter located at or near their parking space. The meter displays the purchased duration and signals when time has expired. This straightforward, cash-based method requires no registration, application, or internet connection, making it accessible to all users regardless of technology familiarity.

The City provides a mixture of public on-street (short-term) and off-street (long-term) parking, which is a mix of free and paid parking. Currently the parking supply consists of:

• Cooper and Downie Lots (24-hour free parking)
• Kalbfleisch, George, Cobourg, and St. Patrick Lots (12-hour paid metered)
• Market Place, Lower and Upper Erie, Albert, Ontario, and York Lots (four-hour metered)
• Mix of 15-minute, 30-minute, four-hour, and 12-hour on-street parking options