Resident Parking Permit

ALL CITY RESIDENTIAL/VISITOR PARKING PERMITS EXPIRE MARCH 31OF THE YEAR DISPLAYED AND MUST BE RENEWED before March 31.

City Council approved a process on March 2, 1992 by which the Engineering Department would assess requests from the City's residents for the installation of on-street permit parking regulations. These regulations would be designed to address situations where a chronic and heavy demand for on-street parking by non-residents is a concern.

Permit Parking - What is it?

Permit parking allows residents to have parking priority in signed permit parking areas within a reasonable proximity to their homes.  Permit parking does not guarantee permit holders the right to park in front of their own homes.  Permit parking does not guarantee a parking space at all; it only gives permit holders advantages over non-permit holders.

Permit parking is installed in response to situations where a chronic and heavy demand for on-street parking by non-residents is a concern.  It is not intended to address short-term intermittent parking problems generated by such things as pubs, parks and churches.

There are two types of permit parking regulations: permit parking only and time-limit parking with permit exemption.  Permit parking zones for area wide programs and single blocks with 20 or more eligible parking spaces are generally comprised of an equal mix of both regulations.  For single block regulations with less than 20 eligible spaces only the time limit regulation is installed.  Other combinations may be possible depending on specific conditions in the area.  The permit only regulation is normally in effect full time, while the time limit regulation (usually 2 hours) would only be in effect between the hours of 8:00am to 6:00pm from Monday to Friday.  Chronic parking problems normally occur within these hours and unregulated evening and weekend parking better serves the needs of people visiting residents of the block.  Distribution of the two regulations is determined by the City.  Permit parking regulations will only be installed on those portions of streets abutting exclusively residential properties.

Who is eligible?

Permit parking regulations can be installed on most residential streets (at least 50% of fronting properties are exclusively residential) in New Westminster, provided they meet the required criteria.  Permit parking regulations are primarily intended for residential areas consiting of single family and older low density multi-family homes.  The program is not intended to deal with the parking demands of newer high density multi-family residnetial developments, which are exptected to provided adequate on-site parking.

For additional information about the City of New Westminster’s Resident Permit Parking Program please call Engineering Serivices at 604-527-4592.

How do I obtain a parking permit?

Parking permit hangers are available at City Hall between the hours of 8:30am and 4:30pm, Monday to Friday.  To obtain a Visitor’s permit please provide ID showing proof of residency.  This hanger will have the word “Visitor” at the bottom of it and proof of residency must be shown every year at renewal time.

Residential permits require a copy of the current vehicle registration for each vehicle (up to four) registered to a New Westminster address.  These permits will have the license plate of the vehicle at the bottom of them.  The current vehicle registration for each parking permit must be provided at the time of renewal.

Each household is entitled to a total of five permits.  The first three permits (one of which may be a Visitor permit) can be purchased for an initial cost of $10.00 each.  These permits must be renewed on or before March 31 of each year.  The renewal fee is $5.00 each.

The initial cost and yearly renewal fee for all additional permits over and above the first three (up to five) is $50.00 each.

How do I purchase/renew a permit outside of business hours?

If you are unable to make it into City Hall during normal operating hours, someone can come in on your behalf with the identification noted above.

To Purchase a Parking Permit:

City Hall - Engineering Services

511 Royal Avenue
New Westminster, BC  V3L 1H9
Phone: 604-527-4592
Office Hours: 8:30am-4:30pm, Monday-Friday