Vancouver considers charging up to $1,000 for parking permits for some new vehicles

Vancouver drivers with newer vehicles could soon be hit with as much as a $1,000 annual pollution tax to park on the street, while guests could also be forced to pay to park overnight on residential streets.

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – Proposed changes aimed at reducing pollution in Vancouver could see some drivers forced to pay an annual climate change tax, on top of their insurance.

The city’s “Climate Emergency Parking Program” proposes Vancouverites who own a 2023 or newer “high-polluting” vehicle — described as a gas-powered luxury sports car, large SUV or full-size pickup truck — would be charged $1,000 per year to get a residential parking permit.

Owners of 2023 or newer vehicles deemed “moderately polluting” — gas-powered sporty sedans or higher efficiency small SUVS — would have to pay $500 for the same permit.

Electric and “low polluting” new vehicles — such as electric cars, hybrids, and most economy vehicles — would not be charged the fee, nor would any 2022 models or older or specialized vehicles for wheelchairs.

A proposed residential parking permit fee structure being considered by the City of Vancouver (Courtesy: City of Vancouver)

Under the same proposed program, a new overnight permit would be introduced. It would cost $45 per year and be required for Vancouverites to park between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. on all residential streets and lanes that are unregulated or signed as “No parking except residents of this block.”

Visitors would have to pay $3 if they want to park overnight in those areas.

A proposed overnight parking permit fee structure being considered by the City of Vancouver (Courtesy: City of Vancouver)

A proposed overnight parking permit fee structure being considered by the City of Vancouver (Courtesy: City of Vancouver)

The City is asking for your input on the charges. You have until July 5 to take part in a survey regarding the next steps. If approved, this program would start in 2022.

Related articles:

“With this proposed program, Vancouver would be joining a number of cities around the world that have implemented pollution charges for residential parking, including Sydney, Australia and Montreal,” said Paul Storer, the City of Vancouver’s Director of Transportation.

“Not only would this program substantially reduce emissions and help us reach our Climate Emergency targets approved by Council in November 2020, it can help us better manage our curb space to serve residential areas.”

However, Vancouver City Councillor Lisa Dominato believes the proposed program isn’t equitable and won’t reduce carbon emissions.

“It’s going to target those who can least afford it. And this includes people who are renters, people who don’t have access to off-street parking, as well as tradespeople, and caregivers providers who need vehicles to move about as part of their jobs,” she says.

Dominato says while $45 a year for an overnight permit may not be a lot of money for some, we don’t know everyone’s circumstances.

“The single mom who’s renting an apartment, taking care of two kids and saddling another $45 charge annually to park her vehicle,” she says.

Hearing from the public that the program is a “tax grab”, Dominato also believes the proposed program is about revenue generation.

“The fact is, we already actually have a pollution tax in the province – it’s the B.C. carbon tax. And what I think we should be doing is focusing on getting our fair share from Victoria, instead of double taxing residents of Vancouver,” she says.

Dominato believes the program misses the mark, considering it doesn’t take into account vehicle owners who park off-street with a driveway or underground parking.

“It doesn’t consider all of the commuters that come into our city on a daily basis. So I really think it needs a rethink, and that we need to have a different approach,” she says.

She’s suggesting Vancouver residents become involved again in the next round of consultations, which are open for public feedback for the next three weeks.

“At the end of the day I think Vancouverites are very socially conscious, environmentally conscious. They want to do the right thing but I think that citizens want to be respected and their pocketbook respected, and they’d like to see more incentives and more carrots not sticks,” Dominato says.

Top Stories

Top Stories

Most Watched Today