FAQs

This interim strategy does not currently include residential areas, though that will be covered in the later Prince Rupert Transportation Plan, currently underway. Parking in residential areas is covered by our Traffic Bylaw, which places a 48-hour limit on on-street parking in residential areas.

This interim strategy proposes several management actions to begin addressing the shortage of available longer-term parking options that is at the root of employees parking in front of their work. These may include maximizing parking along 2^nd Street and 7^th Street, which have double-lane width, by changing time restrictions to allow for 4-hour parking, or by seeking opportunities to develop public off-street parking placed strategically downtown. Providing longer-term parking options for employees and improving enforcement of time restrictions in front of businesses along 3^rd Ave will help maintain availability of parking for customers closer to storefronts. 

Yes! You do currently have options for longer term parking. Certain streets, like 1st Avenue, Fulton Street and other adjoining streets in the downtown core do not have maximum parking time limits. If you don’t see a sign designating a parking limit, you can park for longer stints. This may not be directly in front of your business or where you are going, but part of the intent of this strategy is to ensure that businesses have high turnover parking out front to encourage better traffic flow. 

In addition to existing areas without parking limits, the City has a number of stalls for rent in behind 3rd Avenue on Fulton Street and behind Coast Mountain College. Contact City Hall for details on availability. 

No one type of parker is getting priority across the board, however this strategy attempts to ensure that different areas prioritize different types of parkers in order to lessen conflict. For example, street parking close to storefronts should be prioritized for loading and accessible parking, followed by customers. This helps increase turnover in front of storefronts. Employees or longer-term parkers are prioritized in areas that do not take up customer parking, which may be a bit farther away or be off-street, but allow for longer parking without being penalized. 

Based on the direction provided in the adopted strategy, City Council will consider the removal of parking minimums for a Parking Specified Area (PSA) downtown through a Zoning Bylaw Amendment that will come before Council in the near future. This Bylaw Amendment will consider whether it is best to retain parking minimums for residential development in the proposed PSA, which will be subject public consultation and Council feedback.  Residential development outside of the PSA will continue to be subject to the existing standards for parking in residential developments. 

The Interim Strategy proposes to remove parking minimums from a parking specified area (PSA) downtown, providing there is no loss of existing spaces. This would mean developers are no longer required to provide the specified number of parking stalls or pay in-lieu fees, in order to encourage redevelopment and densification of the City’s core. This does not prevent developers providing additional off-street parking if desired and does not affect existing businesses. In addition, pay in lieu would continue to be required outside of the proposed PSA. 

See below for the area currently proposed to be included under the Parking Specified Area (PSA)

Businesses that have already paid into the pay-in-lieu program will continue to not have to provide any additional parking – nothing will change for them. The proposed policy to remove minimum requirements only applies to new developments or change in use of the building. With any Zoning or policy change, existing non-conformance will be permitted to remain. Pay-in-lieu funds that have been collected may go toward the development of City parking lots. 

None of these changes will result in loss of parking, and additional public parking is proposed to be put in as needed. However, this strategy is not meant to increase parking exclusively, but rather ensure that the right type of parking is available in the right location to promote healthy, accessible, and vibrant communities. 

Shared parking agreements are currently not in place due to the risk of losing required spots from businesses. However, the City could ensure that spots that are rented out are in excess of those required by the business. 

Accessible on-street parking close to a destination is very important, and should be prioritized to ensure we have an accessible downtown. The changes in this strategy that propose providing more options for longer term parking, for example changing time restrictions along 2^nd and 7^th Streets, and looking for public off-street parking options downtown, will help free up locations in front of storefronts. Additionally, the reconfiguration of 2^nd and 3^rd Avenues W will maximize street parking which will result in more dedicated accessible parking spots. 

Yes – the City has been working with the Charge North network, as well as BC Hydro to install charging stations locally, and encourage private partners to do so as well. One EV station has been installed in front of Mariners Park, and two more are planned to be installed within the year. 

Yes! The City is currently working towards a  Transportation Plan that will house a more permanent parking strategy within it.