Toronto Parking Rules: In Need of a Comprehensive Review

With Toronto’s rapidly growing population and escalating traffic congestion, the city’s parking regulations have come under increasing scrutiny. Councilors are now calling for a thorough review of the current rules to address concerns about outdated restrictions, uneven enforcement, and the impact on residents and businesses.

Outdated Restrictions and Complex Regulations

Toronto’s parking rules have not been comprehensively updated in decades, and many of the restrictions are no longer relevant to the city’s current needs. For example, restrictions on parking on residential streets after 11 pm were originally implemented to prevent late-night noise, but they have become a nuisance for residents who need to have guests or move during evening hours. The city’s parking regulations are often complex and confusing, leading to unintentional violations and excessive fines. One resident cited a case where she was ticketed for parking on the wrong side of the street even though there was no signage indicating any restrictions.

Uneven Enforcement

Enforcement of parking regulations has been inconsistent across different neighborhoods and times of day. This has led to frustration among residents who feel unfairly targeted, while others complain that parking violations are not taken seriously enough in certain areas.

Impact on Residents and Businesses

Stringent parking restrictions can have a negative impact on residents and businesses. For example, limited street parking makes it difficult for residents to accommodate visitors, while excessive fines can be a financial burden for those who rely on their vehicles for work. Businesses, particularly small businesses, are also affected by parking restrictions. Customers may be deterred from visiting establishments with limited or expensive parking options, especially in high-traffic areas.

Need for a Comprehensive Review

In light of these concerns, councilors are calling for a comprehensive review of Toronto’s parking rules. The review should consider the following: * Modernizing restrictions to reflect current traffic patterns and community needs * Streamlining regulations to make them easier to understand and comply with * Ensuring consistent enforcement across the city * Exploring alternative parking solutions, such as pay-by-app systems and carpooling incentives

Conclusion

Toronto’s parking rules are in dire need of a comprehensive review. Outdated restrictions, uneven enforcement, and the impact on residents and businesses have created an urgent need for the city to address these issues. By conducting a thorough review and considering the concerns of all stakeholders, councilors can help create a fairer, more efficient, and more livable parking environment for Toronto.Parking Woes Mount in Toronto Suburbs as New Developments Reduce Visitor Spaces

Parking Woes Mount in Toronto Suburbs as New Developments Reduce Visitor Spaces

In the Parkway Forest pocket of North York, a row of well-maintained three-story terraced houses is scheduled to be demolished, making way for a higher-density residential tower. “This will be a 35-story building,” Don Valley North Councilwoman Shelley Carroll explained Wednesday. The problem, Carroll says, is that for the more than 300 new units that will be built, there will only be five visitor parking spaces. “The development applications keep coming in, and they are all looking for as little as possible in terms of parking requirements,” he said. In a district to the west, a 44-story mixed-use commercial and condominium building will soon emerge on the site of what is now a gas station at the southwest corner of Bayview Ave. and Sheppard Ave. W. More than 500 units are proposed for the project: but only seven parking spaces for visitors. Willowdale councilor Lily Cheng was able to successfully negotiate seven additional spaces, according to Cheng, but there is growing concern among some of Toronto’s suburban councilors that valuable visitor parking outside the center is disappearing as new developments take hold, presenting a growing challenge for condo dwellers who need vehicle space for drop-offs, deliveries, and, clearly, visitors. “My friends came here and they don’t have visitor parking (here) to park anywhere,” resident Anil Kambally said of his Don Valley North condo. “So they go to Fairview Mall, park their car, and come here.” “While homeowners choose to purchase a unit with or without a parking spot, they cannot choose whether their friends and family live close enough to commute and visit without the use of a car,” Cheng wrote in a motion to the council, arguing that there are fewer parking lots and street parking options outside the core for visitors who come by car. Cheng, Scarborough councilor Jennifer McKelvie, and Carroll are now asking senior planning staff to update the city’s parking strategy for the suburbs. In 2021, Toronto City Council amended the city’s zoning bylaw to remove most requirements for new developments to provide a minimum amount of on-site parking, with reduced visitor parking requirements related to distance to transit of higher order, among other factors. “We actually sounded the alarm when the parking zoning bylaw changed a couple of years ago,” Carroll said. “But now we are seeing applications that, according to the new regulation, offer very few parking spaces and, in particular, parking spaces for visitors.” Further complicating the parking push is Bill 185, provincial legislation that limits the ability of municipalities to require a certain number of parking spaces in residential developments, designed to spur the construction of more housing in the midst of a real estate crisis. Reducing the resident parking requirement is not a concern, Carroll said, as more Torontonians live without their own vehicles. But they still need a “support network” of people with cars, she maintains, and visitor spots should continue to be available. Planning staff will consider the need as part of its border review of zoning requirements, Mayor Olivia Chow said Wednesday. “It really is a complex issue. It’s not just about visitor parking, but parking in general: how close to public transportation? How tall is the building? There are a lot of elements involved,” Chow said. “So we’ll wait for the staff to come up with some very scientifically based recommendations.” “We really feel strongly that we need to hear about this this year,” said Carroll, who said he is currently negotiating visitor parking on 16 active development applications in his district alone. “Time is a waste.”

Toronto Parking Rules Under Scrutiny by Councilors

Toronto councilors are calling for a review of the city’s parking rules, citing concerns over their effectiveness and fairness. Councilors have raised concerns that the current regulations, including paid parking and residential parking permits, are not adequately addressing issues such as parking availability, traffic congestion, and accessibility for residents. “We’re hearing from residents all over the city that the parking rules aren’t working,” said Councilor Josh Matlow. “They’re either too restrictive, too expensive, or not being enforced properly.” Councilor PaulaFletcher echoed these concerns, stating that the rules need to be “rethought” to better serve the needs of the community. She pointed to the need for increased parking availability in certain areas, particularly near transit stations and commercial hubs. “We need to make sure that people can find parking without having to drive around for hours or pay exorbitant fees,” Fletcher said. City staff is expected to present a report on the parking rules review to the council in the coming months. The report will include recommendations for potential changes to the regulations, including: * Expanding paid parking zones * Adjusting parking permit fees * Increasing enforcement of parking violations * Creating dedicated parking spaces for electric vehicles The councilors who initiated the review hope that the new regulations will result in a more equitable and efficient parking system. However, they acknowledge that finding a balance between competing interests can be challenging. “We want to make sure that there’s enough parking for everyone, but we also don’t want to encourage people to drive more,” Matlow said. “It’s a difficult balance to strike, but we’re committed to finding a solution that works for all residents.” The review of the parking rules is expected to be a lengthy process, with public consultations and stakeholder meetings anticipated. The council has emphasized the importance of community input and will seek feedback from residents throughout the process.