Parking can undeniably be a hot button issue in Prince Rupert. Couched between the ocean and mountains, our community has a limited urban footprint, and many roadways developed when horse-drawn carriages were still the main form of transportation. Older roadways, including downtown thoroughfares like 3rd Avenue, are therefore narrow, with buildings quite close together and few opportunities for off-street parking development.
That said, the compact nature of our community is also an asset. Prince Rupert is incredibly walkable, with plentiful pathways that interconnect different areas. What feels like an obstacle today will give us a head start in the future us as more and more places begin to focus on densifying and making room for active forms of transportation to meet climate change objectives. That said, we know that as a community, we aren't quite there just yet. Individual vehicle use is still the primary way Rupertites get around, so we are looking to improve general parking availability and turnover in our high-traffic areas, but also opportunities to accommodate and encourage alternative modes of transportation like cycling, bussing, walking, and more.
Because of the way the community is built, solving the parking 'problem' will involve making changes on multiple fronts - some short term, and some over the longer term. Towards that work, the City has now adopted an Interim Parking Management strategy (see list of Documents, right), which lays out a number of proposed changes to help improve the parking situation here over the next 1-3 years. Some changes we will be able to act on quickly, while others may take a bit longer and have a more involved public engagement process. To ensure residents are aware of what is planned and what's happening, we've developed this landing page to keep you updated on parking-related proposals and changes as they arise.
So what is the Interim Parking Management Strategy?
Prince Rupert City Council has approved an Interim Parking Strategy to guide actions regulating parking in the downtown core over the next 1-3 years, with longer term parking management included as part of the Connect Rupert Transportation Plan. Note that this interim strategy is intended to inform further policy development—and that policies like the removal of minimum parking requirements in certain areas would require a Zoning amendment and associated public process.
What are some of the major changes being proposed?
- Maximization of parking on 2nd and 7th Streets, using tools such as changing time restrictions, to serve longer term users and free up street parking along 2nd and 3rd Ave.
- Following the adoption of the strategy, time limits along a portion of 2nd Street have been increase to 4 hour maximum parking limits.
- Seeking opportunities to develop public parking lots in the City Core as needed to serve longer term users through land acquisition or conversion of municipally-owned lots.
- Development of a Parking Wayfinding Strategy - to help residents better understand local parking regulations and availability - which would include improved advertising of existing downtown spaces, especially as an option for downtown employees. Please see the Parking Wayfinding Brochure, which includes a map of all the different time limits and applicable regulations and parking opportunities in the downtown, Cow Bay and Rushbrook areas, in the Documents section of this page (see the right side bar).
- Following adoption of a Bylaw amendment in November, the City has removal of parking minimums from a parking specified area (PSA) downtown, providing there is no loss of existing spaces. Council gave First and Second readings to the Bylaw Amendment in October of 2022, the Public Hearing was held January 23rd, 2023, 3rd Reading of the Bylaw passed at the June 26th meeting, and the final approval of the Bylaw was November 27th following Provincial review.
- Encouragement of shared parking agreements between private businesses, or between private businesses and the City, to optimize existing off-street parking. This can be done through the establishment of a Commercial Stall Lease License or other format administered by the City.
- Continuation of work with the Province to redesign 2nd and 3rd Avenues W to add angled parking and implement a bike lane.
- In addition to existing plans for EVs, EV charging infrastructure can additionally be implemented in both private and public parking spaces. This management action may include increasing the required minimums of electrified stalls within our zoning bylaw, or by identifying areas within the City for new charging stations in order to direct new development.
- Investigation of how to increase enforcement actions to encourage the efficient movement of traffic/parking in short-term areas. This includes updating parking management to provincial adjudication and collections process (currently underway), increasing options for payment, and increases to fines and discounts for early payment.
Have more questions?
Check out our FAQ section or download the FAQ and Information Sheet from the Documents Section.
What about Rushbrook Parking Lot?
The City of Prince Rupert maintains and operates the Rushbrook parking area and boat launch for the benefit of our waterfront community. We know that waterfront access is of key importance to Rupertites and visitors alike, and so this area is a key local offering for quick access to the ocean from a central location. Parking fees are collected in the Rushbrook parking lot, Annual Pass-holder parking lot, and along George Hills Way, with all revenues being redirected back into the maintenance of the dock and surrounding area.
Area Where Paid Parking is in Effect:
See below for information on parking restrictions and where they are effective in the Rushbrook Improvement Area/ Marina District.
