Interim Parking Plan

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.

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 (linked below), 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.

Why is this an Interim Strategy?

Prince Rupert City Council 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 increased 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.
Proposed removal of parking minimums from a parking specified area (PSA) downtown, providing there is no loss of existing spaces. This will require an amendment to our Zoning Bylaw, and will have opportunity for public comment. Council gave First and Second readings to a proposed Bylaw Amendment in October of 2022, and the Public Hearing was held January 23rd, 2023 and 3rd Reading of the Bylaw passed at the June 26th meeting. Final reading passed in the Winter of 2023, following Ministry of Transportation 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 (completed), increasing options for payment, and increases to fines and discounts for early payment.

Have more questions? Check out the full document below or head to our Rupert Talks page.

Interim Parking Management Strategy