City Wide

Ref N°: ACS2007-PWS-TRF-0002

 

SUBJECT:	ON-STREET PARKING PERMIT Policy
OBJET :	ÉTUDE DU STATIONNEMENT SUR RUE AVEC PERMIS

 

 

REPORT RECOMMENDATIONS

 

That the Transportation Committee recommend Council:

 

1.         Approve the City of Ottawa On-Street Parking Permit Policy as set out in Document 1; and

 

2.         Approve the On-Street Parking Permit Fees Schedule as set out in Document 2, effective 1 July 2007.

 

 

RECOMMANDATIONS DU RAPPORT

 

Que le Comité des transports recommande que le Conseil municipal :

 

1.         Approuve la Politique de la Ville d?Ottawa relative à l?octroi des permis de stationnement sur rue telle que celle-ci est décrite dans Document 1; et,

 

2.         Approuve la grille tarifaire décrite à Document 2 pour l?octroi des permis de stationnement sur rue qui doit prendre effet le 1^er juillet 2007.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Assumptions and Analysis

 

As a result of discussion at the 4 December 2002 meeting of the former Transportation and Transit Committee, the City's On-Street Parking Permit Programs, in place at that time, have been reviewed from a City-wide perspective.

 

The review was conducted by consultants (Delcan Corporation) and resulted in the preparation of the City of Ottawa On-Street Parking Permit Policy, attached as Document 1. 

  

The Policy defines criteria to be used in establishing parking permit zones to meet specific user needs; it establishes a basis for consistent permit fees based on user-pay principles; and, it recommends fees, as indicated in Document 2.

 

Financial Implications

 

Estimated annual permit parking costs of $398,640 are compared to projected revenues of $427,650 under the proposed rates as detailed in the table in Document 3.  The table also provides details on the actual 2006 total year revenue received. 

 

The table in Document 3 reflects the forecasted revenue stream on permits issued that matches budget expectation.  However, the past pattern of actual revenue received from the On-Street Parking Permit Program has been under the revenue budget expectation of $427,000 (actual revenue for 2005 -$411,639 and 2006 - $390,687) as permits utilization fluctuates based on a number of factors.  The 2007 Budget accounted for projected revenue expectations of $427,000. 

 

The current permit program recommended fees schedule will be updated/revised annually as part of the Budget approval process by Council.  Any corresponding annual adjustment will be implemented on the 1^st of April of the next year.

 

Public Consultation/Input

 

A Project Steering Committee was formed which advised on related issues and provided review of the guiding principles.  It was comprised of two Councillors and representatives of community associations, business groups, current permit holders and the general public.

 

A Public Meeting was held on 26 June 2003 and notice of this meeting was provided in City-wide newspapers.  The meeting was held in an Open House format with several information displays.  City staff and the consultant were available to explain the Study and respond to questions.

 

A notice of the ongoing Study was placed on the City?s Public Consultation Web page.  Various comments and inquiries were received. 

 

 

RÉSUMÉ

 

Hypothèses et analyse

 

À la suite des discussions qui ont eu lieu le 4 décembre 2002 lors d?une réunion de l?ancien Comité des transports et des services de transports en commun, les programmes d?octroi des permis de stationnement sur rue en vigueur ont été révisés en vue de les rendre uniformes dans l?ensemble de la Ville.

 

Cette révision a été réalisée par des experts-conseils et a eu pour résultat l?élaboration de la Politique ci-jointe (voir Document 1).

 

Celle-ci définit les critères qui seront utilisés pour établir les zones où le permis de stationnement sur rue sera requis et répondre aux besoins particuliers des détenteurs.  En outre, la Politique propose une uniformisation des tarifs fondée sur le principe de l?utilisateur-payeur.  La grille tarifaire proposée, décrite à Document 2, est basée sur les principes énoncés dans la Politique.

 

Répercussions financières

 

Le coût annuel estimé du programme de permis de stationnement est de 398 640 $, tandis que les recettes  projetées sont de 427 650 $, selon les tarifs proposés dans le tableau du document 3. Ce tableau donne également des détails sur les recettes totales réelles pour l'année 2006. 

 

Le tableau du document 3 reflète les recettes provenant des permis dans le cas où la délivrance de permis serait à la hauteur des attentes budgétaires. Il convient toutefois de signaler que les recettes réelles produites par le Programme de stationnement sur rue avec permis tendent à s'établir en deçà de la prévision budgétaire de 427 000 $ (recettes réelles de 411 369 $ en 2005 et de 390 687 $ en 2006), puisque l'achat de permis varie en fonction de plusieurs facteurs. Le budget de 2007 tient compte des anticipations quant aux recettes prévisionnelles d?un montant de 427 000 $.

 

Les barème actuel des tarifs recommandés pour les programmes de permis sera mis à jour /révisé chaque année dans le cadre du processus d?approbation du budget par le Conseil.Tout rajustement annuel nécessaire prendra effet le 1^er avril de l'année suivante.

 

Consultation publique/commentaires

 

La Ville a formé un comité directeur de projet chargé de lui fournir des conseils sur les questions afférentes aux permis de stationnement sur rue et en revoir les principes directeurs.  Ce comité était composé d?élus municipaux, de représentants d?association communautaire et de groupe d?affaires, de détenteurs de permis et de membres du public.

 

Après l?avoir annoncé dans les journaux locaux, la Ville a organisé une réunion « portes ouvertes » pour ouvrir un dialogue sur les programmes et répondre aux questions des résidents et résidentes.  Un avis sur l?examen des programmes de permis de stationnement sur rue a été aussi posté sur le site Web de la Ville.

BACKGROUND

 

At the 4 December 2002 meeting of the former Transportation and Transit Committee, during a discussion on the Harmonization of Parking Enforcement Levels of Service Standards (Report ACS2002-TUP-TRF-0029), the General Manager of the Transporation Utilities and Public Works Department informed Committee that staff would review the City's existing On-Street Parking Permit Programs from a City-wide perspective.

 

The Committee also referred a motion to staff stating that "an on-street permitting system be established for the Monterey area".

 

A work plan was prepared and the City retained Delcan Corporation to complete the study.  This resulted in the preparation of the City of Ottawa On-Street Parking Permit Policy, attached as Document 1. 

 

Upon Council's approval of this Report, staff will review and evaluate the Monterey area motion separately, on the basis of the applicable principles and approved policy.

 

 

DISCUSSION

 

History of On-Street Parking Permit Programs in Ottawa

 

The City currently uses a number of measures to regulate parking on its streets.  These include parking prohibitions, stopping prohibitions, winter overnight parking regulations, parking meter zones, and associated regulations.

 

In August 1980, the former City of Ottawa approved a Pilot Project that applied to portions of the Glebe, Ottawa South, Centretown and Dalhousie communities.  The stated objective of the Pilot Project was to "develop a workable on-street parking permit program which will address the parking needs of inner-city residents who have no alternate parking facilities and which will reduce the need for front yard parking and alleviate spill-over parking from major traffic generators?.  This Pilot Project provided special parking permit privileges to qualifying residents, enabling them to park on specific City streets and be exempt from the three-hour on-street parking limit as well as the overnight winter parking restrictions.

 

By the mid 1980's, the Pilot Project developed into a permanent Residential On-Street Parking Permit Program.  The Program expanded over the years to other densely populated portions of the former City of Ottawa.  The former City of Vanier also implemented a similar program.

 

Five areas in the former City of Vanier currently provide non-resident permit parking privileges. These areas are located on Emond Street, Mark Avenue, Montgomery Street, Selkirk Street, and North River Road.  These are zones where permits are typically issued to employees of adjacent commercial buildings to permit long-period (day use) parking.  These represent the only areas of the City where long-period, on-street permit parking privileges are provided for non-residents.  These are an anomaly in the City of Ottawa and this application of permit parking does not match the Guiding Principles set out in Section 2.0 of the Policy.  On this basis, it is the policy of the City that these parking zones, and associated regulations, be considered grandfathered but subject to monitoring and the potential for cancellation or modification, subject to the provisions set out in Section 3.0 of the Policy.

 

Study Purpose and Scope

 

The purpose of the current study was to review the City?s existing policies, programs and fees relating to on-street parking permits, and to develop a comprehensive, harmonized, up-to-date policy which could be applied City-wide.  The On-Street Parking Permit Programs, which were reviewed, included:

 

·        Residential Parking Permit (including visitor parking permit)

·        Guest Parking Permit

·        Day Care Parking Permit

·        Health Care Parking Permit

·        Temporary Consideration Parking Permit

·        Special Event Parking Permit

·        Business Identity Cards

 

The study area included all streets under the City of Ottawa' s jurisdiction.

 

In addition, a set of broad-based guiding principles were to be established for systematic use when making future decisions regarding the various On-Street Parking Permit Programs.

 

Guiding Principles for On-Street Parking Permit Programs

 

The following principles were established as the general basis for the Parking Permit Programs.  They are intended to be used when making future decisions regarding on-street parking permits.  They are to be interpreted together with the Official Plan (OP) and Transportation Master Plan (TMP) to ensure a consistent policy approach for the City.

 

1.         The programs should be harmonized across the City but their applicability may vary by location in response to need and appropriateness.

2.         The program and area eligibility requirements should respond to neighbourhood characteristics, issues and needs.

3.         There is a need to balance the goal of reducing automobile use with the basic needs for automobiles and on-street parking in urban areas, in accordance with the City?s TMP objectives.

4.         When examining the need for On-Street Parking Permit Programs, the potential for other off-street parking solutions should first be assessed.

5.         The programs should be considered as one component of an overall parking management program in conjunction with other solutions including parking time-limit restrictions and enforcement.

6.         The programs should be applicable only to areas where there is a demonstrated need, as determined by the City, and they are not intended to apply to individuals or individual properties.

7.         The programs should not be a substitute for zoning by-law requirements that require adequate off-street parking or loading and should not be used as a rationale for approving developments with reduced off-street parking, as this would compound the demand for on-street parking.

8.         The programs should not be viewed as an opportunity for the owners of high parking demand generators to increase their parking supply on City streets, or to reduce the amount of required parking off-street.

9.         The programs should have the objective of reducing the demand for front yard parking.

10.       The programs should focus on resident privileges, not employees or patrons of non-residential land uses.

11.       The programs should be applicable only in designated urban areas and villages and only on public streets where on-street parking, stopping or loading is permitted.

12.       The programs should be permitted only at street locations where appropriate, considering traffic safety, and should not be allowed along arterial roads with the exception of Consideration Permits and Business Identity Cards.

13.       The programs should not prejudice the ability to reasonably operate and maintain City streets.

14.       The programs should be clear and simple for users to understand.

15.       The programs should be as cost-effective as possible to deliver.

16.       Property owners who have sufficient off-street parking, should not subsidize on-street parking solutions for those who do not.

17.       The direct and indirect City costs of delivering the programs should be recovered by the permit fee revenues, on a pay-as-you-go basis.

18.       Communities should have input on any proposed area-specific on-street parking changes, before they are implemented.

Parking Permit Fee Considerations

 

The study determined that it currently costs the City more to deliver Parking Permit Programs than it recovers in permit fees.  Other Canadian municipalities with Parking Permit Programs are in a similar situation. 

 

One of the guiding principles is that permit revenues on a ?pay-as-you-go? basis, should recover the direct and indirect municipal costs of delivering the On-Street Parking Permit Programs.  In order to comply with that principle, a new On-Street Parking Permit Fee Schedule is recommended, particularly for programs for which no or minimal fees are currently charged.        

 

Cost components for each permit type were estimated, based on staff experience, with respect to time and material requirements in establishing and maintaining the programs.  The costs vary in relation to permit type and permissible parking duration.  Residential Permits and Temporary Consideration Permits allow continual, longer duration parking throughout all months, including exemptions to winter overnight parking bans.  These are therefore issued as monthly permits.  In comparison, Guest Parking Permits, Health Care Parking Permits, Special Event Permits and Business Identity Cards all provide for shorter duration, less frequent use and do not provide exemptions to winter overnight parking bans.  These permits are issued once per year, or, in the case of special events, once per occurrence. 

 

A significant component in the overall cost of delivering year-round Residential Parking Permit Programs, arises from the need to provide additional winter maintenance efforts to support all-day parking activities.  Those permits enable holders to park overnight without being subject to the overnight winter parking ban that is in effect from 15 November to 1 April.  Vehicles parked under those circumstances prevent crews from properly clearing the streets immediately following winter storm occurrences, and this, in turn, requires that crews attend those sites repeatedly, until a satisfactory level of snow clearance is achieved.  Due to climate conditions, the number of winter events varies significantly from year to year.

 

Day Care Parking Permits are site-specific with somewhat higher front-end costs because of sign and administrative requirements.  Due to the short duration parking allowed with these permits and the method of distributing individual copies to patrons of the Day Care Centres, costs do not vary substantially from site to site.  Enforcement costs are negligible as these locations are all situated in priority enforcement areas.  In calculating an applicable annual cost for these permits, the front-end sign and administrative costs have been annualized over a ten-year period.  

 

Based on the foregoing considerations, the Current Permit Program Delivery Costs with Current and Recommended Fees (2007) Table (Document 4) summarizes estimated monthly or annual costs borne by the City in delivering these programs by permit type and also indicates the current and proposed fee structure.

 

Exceptions

 

As noted earlier, a guiding principle is that permit revenues, on a ?pay-as-you-go? basis, should recover the direct and indirect municipal costs of delivering the On-Street Parking Permit Programs.  However, there are currently two notable exceptions to that principle and these pertain to Health Care Parking Permits and Business Identity Cards.  

 

Health Care Parking Permits are intended to provide a special privilege to persons requiring in-home health care in dwellings that have insufficient off-street parking and on streets that have time-limit restrictions that are typically shorter than the duration of the in-home care visit.  The resident receives and manages the permit that is tied to the residential address but is used by the health care provider and his/her vehicle.  These permits are not intended to facilitate long-term parking by health care professionals or to provide any special privilege with respect to metered parking, no-stopping zones or any other parking-restricted areas.  Typically, less than six such permits are issued annually and past practice has been to waive fees for those permits on compassionate grounds. 

 

Business Identity Cards are intended to serve business-related drivers by providing special short-term parking privileges for commercial delivery and pick-up vehicles, not including passenger services, in business districts of the City.  The card essentially allows those drivers to park up to fifteen minutes in ?loading? or ?no parking? zones.  It does not provide any special privilege with respect to metered parking, maximum parking duration or other provisions of the Traffic and Parking By-law.   Because the parking privileges are citywide, indirect costs associated with that program are difficult to estimate.  Parking control officers are aware that a vehicle left unattended in the specified zones, while displaying the permit, is there for delivery purposes, avoiding issuance of a Parking Infraction Notice for which the set fine is $55.  The current permit fee is $100 per year and the program has been operating successfully, with few complaints, as permit holders appear to be receiving excellent value for the service relative to the fee.

 

In view of the foregoing considerations, it is therefore suggested that fees for Health Care Parking Permits continue to be waived on compassionate grounds and that fees for Business Identity Cards remain fixed at $100 per year. 

 

Fee Refunds and Additional Charges

 

Administration costs to provide refunds have been estimated to be $25.  Any required refunds will be calculated on a pro-rated daily basis and only the portion of the eligible refund greater than $25 will be processed and only for paid periods in excess of thirty days, as provided for in the City of Ottawa On-Street Parking Permit Policy, attached as Document 1.

 

In recognition of the estimated cost for actual issuance of a permit, a $10 fee will be charged

for lost, stolen, damaged, change of information (address, vehicle license plate, etc.) or permit replacements.  Similarly, the minimum fee to be charged for any applicable permit will be $10.  

 

The recommended fee schedule for each applicable program is attached as Document 2.

 

Existing Guest Parking Permits and Day Care Parking Permits that were issued in perpetuity, will be considered null and void as of 31 December 2007.  Following this transitional period, those permit holders will be required to pay the annual renewal fee.

 

Due to the dates of issue and change in records methodologies, it is not possible to provide notification of changes to most current holders of Guest Permits.  When older permits are in use and observed by parking control officers, the owners have been advised by the officers of the need to have the permits updated.  Day Care providers have been made aware that changes are likely forthcoming as a result of the processes followed during the development of the proposed program which ensure that the current permits remained valid. 

 

 

TRANSPORTATION MASTER PLAN

 

The Study recommendations, if approved, will implement the City?s Official Plan (OP) and Transportation Master Plan (TMP) policies.

 

The TMP states the following goal: ?To limit the supply of long-term parking to levels that balance the needs of automobile users with the City?s transit ridership objectives, while minimizing spill-over parking in residential areas?. 

The recommendations related to the On-Street Parking Permit Programs seek to achieve this balance by providing limited opportunities for parking on City streets, under special circumstances.

 

 

CONSULTATON

 

A Stakeholder Involvement Plan was developed as one of the first study deliverables.  This guided the selection of a Project Steering Committee (PSC), which met to advise on issues and review preliminary guiding principles.  The PSC included representation from various interest groups including elected officials, community associations, the business community, on-street permit parking holders, City staff and the general public.

 

A Public Meeting was held on 26 June 2003, and notice of this meeting was provided in City-wide newspapers.  The meeting was held in an Open House format with several information displays.  Although attendance was low, City staff and the consultant were available to explain the study and respond to questions.

 

A notice of the ongoing study was placed on the City?s Public Consultation Web Page.  The limited comments and inquiries received provided general support for the programs. 

 

 

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

 

Estimated annual permit parking costs of $398,640 are compared to projected revenues of $427,650 under the proposed rates as detailed in the table in Document 3.  The table also provides details on the actual 2006 total year revenue received. 

 

The table in Document 3 reflects the forecasted revenue stream on permits issued that matches budget expectation.  However, the past pattern of actual revenue received from the On-Street Parking Permit Program has been under the revenue budget expectation of $427,000 (actual revenue for 2005 -$411,639 and 2006 - $390,687) as permits utilization fluctuates based on a number of factors.  The 2007 Budget accounted for projected revenue expectations of $427,000. 

 

The current permit program recommended fees schedule will be updated/revised annually as part of the Budget approval process by Council.  Any corresponding annual adjustment will be implemented on the 1^st of April of the next year.

 

 

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION

 

Document 1      City of Ottawa On-Street Parking Permit Policy

Document 2      On-Street Parking Permit 2007 Fee Schedule

Document 3      Estimated Parking Permit Revenues

Document 4      Current Permit Program Delivery Costs wth Current and Recommended Fees (2007)

 

DISPOSITION

 

Staff will implement the approved City of Ottawa On-Street Parking Permit Policy and will apply the program criteria in their review of all on-street parking permit-related requests and inquiries.  Staff will also review and evaluate the motion from the Transportation and Transit Committee meeting of 4 December 2002 which requested that "an on-street permitting system be established for the Monterey area".

DOCUMENT 1

ON-STREET PARKING PERMIT POLICY

 

 

Subject:  On-Street Parking Permit Policy		New: X Revised:	Policy/Procedure No.
Source: Council Report ACS2007-PWS-TRF-002	Date: May 2007	Page #: 1	No. of Pages :  28

1.0       INTRODUCTION 1.1       Policy Purpose and Scope   This is the City of Ottawa On-Street Parking Permit Policy.  The overall purpose of this Policy is to establish the basis, rules and procedures for a range of programs related to the special permissions for use of portions of City streets for temporary on-street parking.  The On-Street Parking Permit Programs guided by this Policy include:   Residential Parking (including Visitor Parking) Guest Parking Day Care Parking Health Care Parking (including Urgent House Call Policy) Temporary Consideration Parking Special Event Parking Business Identity Card Parking   This Policy does not pertain to the following parking matters:   Off-Street Parking Disabled Parking Metered Parking Parking Enforcement and Fines Other parking matters regulated by the City?s Traffic and Parking By-Law   The scope of this Policy includes all public streets under the City of Ottawa?s jurisdiction.   1.2       Policy Objectives The objectives of this Policy are as follows:   to provide the general basis and guiding principles to be used systematically to guide the design and application of the various On-Street Parking Permit Programs as well as future decisions related to on-street permit parking;

 

Subject: On-Street Parking Permit Policy		New: X Revised:	Policy/Procedure No.
Source: Council Report ACS2007-PWS-TRF-002	Date:    May 2007	Page #: 2	No. of Pages :  28

to provide general and specific program criteria related to location, eligibility, application requirements, special privileges and conditions for each Program; to establish policy direction related to program implementation, fees, monitoring and review; and, to confirm the legislative authority for the Policy.   2.0       GENERAL BASIS AND GUIDING PRINCIPLES FOR ON-STREET PARKING PERMIT   The General Basis and Guiding Principles for On-Street Parking Permit Programs are provided below.  They are to be used when making future decisions regarding on-street permit parking.  They are to be interpreted together with the Official Plan (OP) and Transportation Master Plan (TMP) to ensure a consistent policy approach for the City.   It is the general basis and over-riding intent of this Policy that On-Street Parking Permit Programs be considered as special remedial solutions to a limited number of instances where special on-street parking privileges may be warranted.  Other guiding principles are as follows:   The Programs should be harmonized across the City but their applicability may vary by location in response to need and appropriateness. The Program and area eligibility requirements should respond to neighbourhood characteristics, issues and needs. There is a need to balance the goal of reducing automobile use with the basic needs for automobiles and on-street parking in urban areas in accordance with the City?s TMP objectives. When examining the need for On-Street Parking Permit Programs, the potential for other off-street parking solutions should first be assessed. The Programs should be considered as one component of an overall parking management program in conjunction with other solutions including parking time-limit restrictions and enforcement. The Programs should be applicable only to areas where there is a demonstrated need as determined by the City and they are not intended to apply to individuals or individual properties.

 

Subject: On-Street Parking Permit Policy		New: X Revised:	Policy/Procedure No.
Source: Council Report ACS2007-PWS-TRF-002	Date:    May 2007	Page #: 3	No. of Pages :  28

 

7.      The Programs should not be a substitute for zoning by-law requirements that require adequate off-street parking or loading and should not be used as a rationale for approving developments with reduced off-street parking, as this would compound the demand for on-street parking. The Programs should not be viewed as an opportunity for the owners of high parking demand generators to increase their parking demand on City streets, or to reduce the amount of required parking off-street. The Programs should have the objective of reducing the demand for front yard parking. The Programs should focus on resident privileges, not employees or patrons of non-residential land uses. The Programs should be applicable only in designated Urban Areas and Villages and only on public streets where on-street parking, stopping or loading is permitted. The Programs should be permitted only at street locations where appropriate considering traffic safety and should not be allowed along arterial roads with the exception of Consideration Permits and Business Identity Cards. The Programs should not prejudice the ability to reasonably operate and maintain City streets. The Programs should be clear and simple for users to understand. The Programs should be as cost-effective as possible to deliver. Property owners who have sufficient off-street parking should not subsidize on-street parking solutions for those who do not. The direct and indirect City costs of delivering the Programs should be recovered by the permit fee revenues, on a pay-as-you-go basis. Communities should have input on any proposed area-specific on-street parking changes, before they are implemented.   3.0       RESIDENTIAL PARKING PERMITS   3.1       Program Purpose and Rationale The purpose of the Residential Parking Permit Program is to provide eligible residents and their out-of-town visitors in defined areas with special privileges related to parking on designated portions of a street or streets in that area.  In general, the permit allows those eligible to park for periods in excess of the otherwise stipulated parking period for their street(s), and to be exempt from the overnight parking ban during the winter months, subject to some limitations and conditions.     The Program is intended to provide special on-street parking privileges as a remedial measure for a limited number of residential areas that undeniably have a deficiency in off-street parking with no other parking alternatives for longer-period parking.

 

Subject:  On-Street Parking Permit Policy		New: X Revised:	Policy/Procedure No.
Source: Council Report ACS2007-PWS-TRF-002	Date:  May 2007	Page #: 4	No. of Pages :  28

The Program is not intended as a means for justifying reduced off-street parking requirements from that otherwise required in the zoning by-law;  is not intended to provide a parking solution for individual properties; is not intended to provide a ?guaranteed reserved? parking space in front of a residence in areas subject to high on-street parking demand; is not intended to provide any special privilege with respect to metered parking, loading zones, no stopping zones, or other parking-restricted areas; and, is not intended to provide a parking solution for non-residential uses.   3.2       Special Privileges and Conditions for Residential Parking Permits The following special privileges and conditions shall apply to permit holders with respect to parking on streets or portions of streets designated as Residential Parking Permit Zones and defined with signs bearing the words "Permit Holders Exempted":   a)         Permit holders may park the vehicle in respect of which the permit was issued, on a street in the defined permit parking area as indicated on the permit, up to 48 hours without moving the vehicle. b)         Permit holders may park their vehicle overnight and are exempt from the overnight parking ban during the winter months. c)         Permit holders do not have any exclusive rights over any specific on-street parking spaces or block faces within their applicable zone. d)         When temporary "No Parking" signs are placed by the Corporation of the City of Ottawa (typically placed in snow banks to allow road maintenance activities including snow removal, or for special events), permit holders shall remove their vehicles from these streets and the permits are not valid until such time as the temporary signs are removed. e)         Other than the special on-street parking privileges specified by the permit, all other traffic and parking regulations will apply.   3.3       Eligibility and Validity Provisions for Residential Parking Permit Issuance Once a Residential Parking Permit Program area has been established, the following application, eligibility and validity provisions shall apply:   a)                  The applicant must complete an application form and provide evidence: i)                    that they reside in the designated area (in the form of official documents); ii)                   that they do not have access to off-street parking; and, iii)                 that they have a need for on-street parking (for tenants, a letter from a landlord may also be required).

 

Subject: On-Street Parking Permit Policy		New: X Revised:	Policy/Procedure No.
Source: Council Report ACS2007-PWS-TRF-002	Date:    May 2007	Page #: 5	No. of Pages :  28

 

b)         The vehicle license and registration for which on-street parking is requested must match the name and address cited on the permit application, except for students of a post-secondary educational institution, with a valid student identification card, who are not the registered vehicle owner, who are eligible if they submit a letter from a parent or legal guardian who is the registered vehicle owner. c)         Applicants may apply for and receive permits for more than one vehicle per address in areas where permits are available, provided there is no waiting list. d)         The permit parking privileges are assigned only to the permit area for which the permit was issued, and only to the vehicle for which it was issued. e)         Should a vehicle?s license plate number change during the permit validity period, it is the responsibility of the permit holder to notify the City and to request a replacement permit. An administrative fee will apply in accordance with the fee schedule in effect at the time.   3.4       Special Provisions for Visitors in Residential Parking Permit Zones Where a Residential Parking Permit Program has been established, the special parking privileges may be extended to short-term visitors of residents in that zone.  For short-term visitors, the following eligibility and validity provisions shall apply:   a)         The applicant must be the resident (making application on behalf of his or her visitor and referencing the visitor?s vehicle). b)         Permits are issued for periods of one day or more but not to exceed two weeks. c)         All other eligibility, validity, privileges and conditions apply as specified for the Residential Parking Permit Program above.   3.5       Policy Regarding Existing Parking Permit Zones All Residential Parking Permit Zones existing as of the date of Council?s approval of this Policy will be maintained.  Notwithstanding, staff may consider cancellation of, or modification to a zone, if either of the following conditions is met:   a)         Program utilization falls below 10% for three consecutive years.  Utilization shall be determined by dividing the number of available on-street parking spaces in the zone by the number of permits issued for that zone in mid-January of each year, or b)         The operational requirements for the street change to the extent that allowing longer-period and winter overnight parking is no longer acceptable to the City for that street or streets.

 

Subject:  On-Street Parking Permit Policy		New: X Revised:	Policy/Procedure No.
Source: Council Report ACS2007-PWS-TRF-002	Date:    May 2007	Page #: 6	No. of Pages :  28

 

3.6       Policy Regarding the Establishment of Residential Parking Permit Zones To be considered for the establishment of a new On-street Residential Parking Permit on any street or streets, the following process will be completed.   Step One: Pre-Consultation   a)         The first step in the process is for the proponent to pre-consult with the City?s Traffic and Parking Operations Branch.  This step assumes that the proposal is not staff-initiated.  The objectives of this pre-consultation would be for the proponent to explain their parking issues and their permit-parking proposal and for the City staff to explain the review process and requirements.  The proponent may also choose to consult with the Ward Councillor at this time. b)         The proponent will be advised that street or streets contemplated for permit parking will receive further consideration only if they: i)                    are in an area designated in the Official Plan as Urban Area or Village, ii)                   are not designated Arterial Roads; and, iii)                 serve predominantly residential uses.   Step Two: Application/Request   Following pre-consultation with staff, a proponent may submit a written request to the City?s Traffic and Parking Operations Branch that any public street or streets be considered for the establishment of a Residential Parking Permit.  The following information must be provided as part of any such proposal:

 

 

Subject:  On-Street Parking Permit Policy		New: X Revised:	Policy/Procedure No.
Source: Council Report ACS2007-PWS-TRF-002	Date:   May 2007	Page #: 7	No. of Pages :  28

 

a)         A general description of the parking problem and the proposed solution. b)         Evidence that the street or streets have insufficient off-street parking. c)         Evidence that there are no reasonable alternatives to provide off-street parking to meet the residential needs. d)         The specific proposed streets to be included in the Program. e)         The approximate number of addresses in the proposed area. f)          The proponent must provide the results of a community survey referencing the proposal, submitted for City review, using a format endorsed by the City.  The survey should indicate an 80% level of support for parking regulation changes.   Step Three: Preliminary Screening   a)         In response to a proponent?s request, City staff shall conduct a preliminary screening and  review of the request giving consideration to various street or neighbourhood conditions  as indicated on the following table:   Preliminary Screening Tests for New Residential Parking Permit Zone Condition Assessment 1. Location/Age Is the location within the designated Urban Area or Village and in an inner city (pre-war) as opposed to a suburban location? 2. Proximity Is the location near an existing on-street permit parking zone? 3. Land Use Are land uses (and corresponding parking demands) primarily residential, mixed use, with moderate or high densities? 4. Lot Sizes and Off-street Parking Are lots generally narrow without potential for rear yard or side yard driveway parking? 5. Driveways, Garages & Parking Lots Are there typically no garages or parking lots on the properties (only driveways)? 6. Front Yard Parking Is front yard parking common in the area? 7. Enforcement and Complaints Is the location within a priority area for parking regulation enforcement or subject to frequent complaints related to on-street parking? 8. Neighbourhood Support Has a neighbourhood survey indicated an acceptable level of support (80% or higher of residents in support)? 9. Guiding Principles Would the request sufficiently correspond to the General Basis and Guiding Principles for On-Street Parking Permit Programs?

 

Subject:  On-Street Parking Permit Policy		New: X Revised:	Policy/Procedure No.
Source: Council Report ACS2007-PWS-TRF-002	Date:  May 2007	Page #: 8	No. of Pages :  28

 

b)         If the preliminary screening indicates that a Program request does not generally meet these criteria (i.e. there are adequate opportunities to satisfy parking demands off-street as opposed to on-street), or if there is insufficient demonstration of an acceptable level of neighbourhood support, staff will refuse the request.  Otherwise, the process will move to the next step.   Step Four: Detailed Investigation   a)         If the preliminary screening indicates that there is a rationale for additional analysis, staff will conduct a detailed investigation of the potential to create a residential on-street parking zone.  The detailed investigation will include an examination of the conditions indicated on the following table:   Detailed Investigation for New Residential Parking Permit Zone   Condition Assessment Required 1. Area Limits A determination of the limits of the area that should be studied, considering land uses, Official Plan designations, Zoning By-Law zones, arterial roads, and other features that have the affect of subdividing a neighbourhood from a parking and planning perspective. 2. Road Classifications A review of the classification and function of streets in the Study area (i.e. arterial, major collector, collector, local, truck routes, bus routes, cycling routes). 3. On-Street Parking Supply An inventory of the available number of on-street parking spaces and the regulations applying to them. 4. Off-Street Parking Supply A general review of the supply of legal off-street parking spaces related to the number of dwellings. 5. Violations and Complaints A review of the frequency and type of parking violations and parking-related complaints. 6. Surface Operations A review of any non-typical road maintenance and operational considerations for the street(s) in question. 7. Utilization A review of the utilization of the available on-street parking spaces.

 

Subject:  On-Street Parking Permit Policy		New: X Revised:	Policy/Procedure No.
Source: Council Report ACS2007-PWS-TRF-002	Date:    May 2007	Page #: 9	No. of Pages :  28

 

b)         Having considered these factors, staff will determine the need and potential for the requested Program by assessing the following two mandatory criteria: i) the area streets have the capability of accommodating long-period on-street parking, and, ii) there is less than one  off-street parking space per dwelling in the area. c)         If the two mandatory criteria are not satisfied, staff will refuse the request for a residential parking permit zone.  Notwithstanding, staff will consider implementing a requested Program in special circumstances where an area has been subject to a longstanding neighbourhood parking problem and where the use of other creative means to solve the problem are either unavailable or have been proven to be not successful. d)         The detailed investigation will conclude with a staff assessment of the need, potential, and limits for a new Residential Parking Permit in response to a proponent?s request, and the need for further community consultation. The Ward Councillor will be advised about the review conducted including staff?s recommendations, and provided with the opportunity to indicate their position on the matter. e)         If there is sufficient technical and continued community support, including that of the Ward Councillor, for the Program, staff shall proceed to implement the Residential Parking Permit Program for the affected area.   3.7 Policy Regarding Residential Parking Permit Fees The establishment and implementation of a Residential Parking Permit Program comes at considerable cost to the City.  These costs include staff effort in responding to requests for new or amended permit zones; erecting and maintaining special parking signs; administering the permit issuances; additional enforcement; additional maintenance (including significantly higher winter maintenance costs), and other indirect nuisance and environmental costs.   Considering the significant cost to the City to implement the Program and considering the benefits are accrued only to permit holders as a special privilege, it is the policy of the City that the Program costs be recovered through permit sale revenues, with the permits priced accordingly on the City of Ottawa On-Street Parking Permit Fee Schedule.   4.0              GUEST PARKING PERMITS   4.1       Program Purpose and Rationale The purpose of the Guest Parking Permit Program is to provide residents in defined areas with a special privilege that allows their guests to park for longer periods than otherwise permitted, subject to some limitations and conditions.  The rationale is to provide a short-period guest parking solution in areas near high on-street parking generators such as hospitals or sports venues    where tight parking restrictions such as ?No Parking? or 1- or 2-hour time limit zones have been established to solve on-street parking violation problems.

 

Subject:  On-Street Parking Permit Policy		New: X Revised:	Policy/Procedure No.
Source: Council Report ACS2007-PWS-TRF-002	Date:    May 2007	Page #: 10	No. of Pages :  28

where tight parking restrictions such as ?No Parking? or 1- or 2-hour time limit zones have been established to solve on-street parking violation problems.   In general, the Guest Parking Permit is intended as a remedial measure to allow guests of residences in a limited number of areas across the City to park slightly longer than is otherwise permitted along a limited number of time-restricted streets.  The Program is not intended to provide longer-period on-street parking; is not intended to provide relief from the overnight winter parking regulations; is not intended to provide any special privilege with respect to metered parking, loading zones, no stopping zones, or other parking-restricted areas.   4.2       Special Privileges and Conditions for Guest Parking Permits The following special privileges and conditions shall apply to Guest Parking permit holders parking with respect to parking on streets or portions of streets designated as Guest Parking permit zones and defined with signs bearing the words "Permit Holders Exempted?:   a)         Permit holders are allowed to remain parked in the defined Guest Parking Permit Zone  that corresponds to the permit, up to a maximum duration of 3 hours, consistent with the general unsigned regulations in effect throughout the City. b)         The permit may specify a limited time period during which the permit privileges apply. c)         Other than the special on-street parking privileges specified by the permit, all other traffic and parking regulations will apply.   4.3       Eligibility and Validity Provisions for Guest Parking Permits Once a Guest Parking Permit Program has been established, the following application, eligibility and validity provisions shall apply:   a)         The applicant must complete an application form and provide evidence: i)                     that they reside in the designated area (in the form of official documents); and, ii)                    that there is insufficient parking at their place of residence to provide short-period guest parking during the time-restricted on-street parking periods (for tenants, a letter from a landlord may also be required). b)         No more than five Guest Parking Permits may be issued per residence per year and the permit(s) shall be issued or renewed annually. c)         The permits are to be retained by the resident and distributed to their guests for use only during the guest visit.  Failure to retain the permits may result in the revoking of the permit(s) by the City.

Subject:  On-Street Parking Permit Policy		New: X Revised:	Policy/Procedure No.
Source: Council Report ACS2007-PWS-TRF-002	Date:     May 2007	Page #: 11	No. of Pages :  28

4.4       Establishment of Guest Parking Permit Zones All existing Guest Parking Permit Zones existing as of the date of Council?s approval of this policy will be maintained.  Notwithstanding, staff may consider cancellation of or modification to a zone if parking time period restrictions are removed or if the Program is abused or otherwise causes unacceptable parking enforcement issues.   To be considered for the establishment of a new Guest Parking Permit  on any street or streets, the following request review process should be completed.   Step One: Pre-Consultation   a)         The first step in the process is for the proponent to pre-consult with the City?s Traffic and Parking Operations Branch.  The objectives of this pre-consultation would be for the proponent to explain their guest parking issues and their permit-parking proposal and for the City staff to explain the review process and requirements.  The proponent may also choose to confer with the Ward Councillor at this time.   b)         The proponent will be advised that street or streets contemplated for permit parking will receive further consideration only if they: i)     are in an area designated in the Official Plan as Urban Area or Village; ii)     are not designated Arterial Roads; and,  iii)    serve predominantly residential uses.   Step Two: Application/Request   a)      Following pre-consultation with staff, a proponent may make a written request to the City?s Traffic and Parking Operations Branch to have a street or streets designated as a Guest Parking Permit Zone.  The following information must be provided as part of any such proposal:   i)             a general description of the parking problem and the proposed solution; ii)            evidence that the street or streets have insufficient off-street parking for guests and during what periods; iii)            evidence that there are no reasonable alternatives to provide off-street parking to meet the guest parking needs; iv)                       the specific proposed streets to be included in the Program; and, v)                        the approximate number of addresses in the proposed area.

 

 

 

 

Subject:  On-Street Parking Permit Policy		New: X Revised:	Policy/Procedure No.
Source: Council Report ACS2007-PWS-TRF-002	Date:       May 2007	Page #: 12	No. of Pages :  28

b)         The proponent must provide the results of a community survey referencing the proposal, submitted for City review, using a generic survey form prepared by the City.  The survey should indicate an 80% level of support for parking regulation changes.   Step Three: Preliminary Screening   a)         In response to a proponent?s request, City staff shall conduct a preliminary screening, giving consideration to various street or neighbourhood conditions, as indicated on the following table:   Preliminary Screening of Request for Guest Parking Permit Zone Condition Assessment 1. Location Is the area within the designated Urban Area or Village and currently subject to special time-restricted on-street parking regulations? 2. Land Use Is the request for residential guest privileges, as opposed to employee or patron privileges? 3. Proximity Is the location near a high on-street parking demand generator? 4. Enforcement and     Complaints Is the location within a priority area for parking regulation enforcement, or an area subject to a high rate of parking related complaints? 5. Neighbourhood     Support Has a neighbourhood survey indicated an 80% level of support or greater?   b)         If the preliminary screening indicates that the Program request does not meet all of the             criteria, staff will refuse the request on the basis that the Guest Parking Permit Program is             either not applicable or not required.   Step Four: Detailed Investigation   a)         If the pre-screening conditions are met, then staff will proceed to step four, being a detailed investigation of the potential to create a Guest Parking Permit Parking Zone.  The detailed investigation will include an examination of the conditions indicated on the following table:

Subject:  On-Street Parking Permit Policy		New: X Revised:	Policy/Procedure No.
Source: Council Report ACS2007-PWS-TRF-002	Date:      May 2007	Page #: 13	No. of Pages :  28

Detailed Investigation of Request for New Guest Parking Permit Zone Condition Assessment Required 1. Area Limits A determination of the limits of the area that should be studied, considering existing parking restrictions and proximity to the high on-street parking demand generator. 2. Road Classifications A review of the classification and function of streets in the Study area (i.e. arterial, major collector, collector, local, truck routes, bus routes, cycling routes). 3. On-Street Parking Supply An inventory of the available number of on-street parking spaces and the regulations applying to them. 4. Off-Street Parking Supply A general review of the supply of legal off-street parking spaces and the surplus parking opportunities for guest parking, including public or private parking lots. 5. Violations and Complaints A review of the frequency and type of parking-related violations and complaints.   b)         This detailed review will conclude with a staff assessment of the need, potential, and limits for a new Guest Parking Permit Program and related parking restrictions and exemptions in response to a proponent?s request, and the need for further community consultation.  The Ward Councillor will be advised about the review conducted including staff?s recommendations, and provided with the opportunity to indicate their position on the matter. c)         If there is sufficient technical and continued community support (including that of the Ward Councillor) for the Program, staff shall proceed to implement the Guest Parking Permit Program for the affected area.   4.5 Policy Regarding Guest Parking Permit Fees The establishment and implementation of a Guest Parking Permit Program comes at some cost to the City.  These costs include: staff effort in responding to requests for new or amended permit zones, erecting and maintaining special parking signs, administering the permit issuances, and additional enforcement.  Considering the cost to the City to implement the Program and considering the benefits are accrued only to permit holders as a special privilege, it is the policy of the City that the Program costs be recovered through permit sale revenues, with the permits priced accordingly on the City of Ottawa On-Street Parking Permit Fee Schedule.

 

Subject:  On-Street Parking Permit Policy		New: X Revised:	Policy/Procedure No.
Source: Council Report ACS2007-PWS-TRF-002	Date:    May 2007	Page #: 14	No. of Pages :  28

5.0       DAY CARE PARKING PERMITS   5.1       Program Purpose and Rationale The purpose of the Day Care Parking Permit Program is to provide a safe and convenient manner for the drop-off and pick-up of day care users (i.e. children), without a significant disruption to the availability of on-street parking or the operation of the street.   In general, the Day Care Parking Permit Program entails the establishment of a temporary pick-up and drop-off zone along the street, where vehicles can stop for the purpose of picking up children.  ?No Parking? zones are established on-street adjacent to the day care centers and permits are then issued to provide special fifteen minute privileges for loading and unloading only in that zone.  The No Parking zones may be time-of-day and time-of-week specific, and the special privileges are applicable only during those specified times.   The Program is intended as a remedial measure at day care centers that do not have adequate off-street pick-up and drop-off areas.  It is not intended to replace the requirement for adequate passenger pick-up and drop-off features that otherwise would be determined as part of the Site Plan Control Approval Process, and is not intended to provide any special privilege with respect to metered parking, loading zones, no stopping zones, or other parking-restricted areas.   5.2       Special Privileges and Conditions for Day Care Parking Permits The following special privileges and conditions shall apply to Day Care Parking permit holders with respect to parking on defined and signed portions of streets adjacent to Day Cares:   a)         Permit holders are allowed to park for no more than fifteen minutes only in the defined area that corresponds to the permit. b)         The permit may specify a limited time period during which the permit privileges apply. c)         Other than the special on-street parking privileges specified by the permit, all other traffic and parking regulations will apply.

 

Subject:  On-Street Parking Permit Policy		New: X Revised:	Policy/Procedure No.
Source: Council Report ACS2007-PWS-TRF-002	Date: May 2007	Page #: 15	No. of Pages :  28

5.3       Eligibility and Validity Provisions for Day Care Parking Permits Once a Day Care Parking Permit has been established, the following eligibility and validity provisions shall apply:   a)         The applicant (Day Care) must complete an application form and provide evidence including: i) that they are an administrative manager of a licensed Day Care center, ii) justification for the required number of parking permits as requested, and, iv) the vehicle owner name and license plate number of each vehicle for which a permit is to be issued. b)         Permits will be granted only for the registered owners of vehicles who have dependants who are patrons of the associated Day Care. c)         The City shall issue to the Day Care the required number of permits, each assigned to an individual vehicle owner and vehicle license. d)         The Day Care is responsible to distribute the permits to the registered vehicle owners and to inform them of the limits on the privileges provided by the permit. e)         Once the permit is no longer required by the patron, the permit is to be returned to the Day Care; f)          Each permit shall expire within one-year of issuance and must be renewed annually; g)         Should a vehicle?s license plate number subject to a permit change during the permit validity period, it is the responsibility of the Day Care to notify the City, to request a replacement permit, and to distribute the permit to the permit holder.  An administrative fee may apply.   5.4       Establishment of Day Care Parking Permit Zones All Day Care Parking Permit Zones existing as of the date of Council?s approval of this policy will be maintained.  Notwithstanding, staff may consider cancellation of or modification to a zone if the operational requirements for the street change to the extent that allowing the drop-off and pick-up zone is no longer acceptable to the City for that street.   To be considered for the establishment of an on-street Day Care Parking Permit on any street, the following request review process should be completed.

 

Subject: On-Street Parking Permit Policy		New: X Revised:	Policy/Procedure No.
Source: Council Report ACS2007-PWS-TRF-002	Date:     May 2007	Page #: 16	No. of Pages :  28

Step One: Pre-Consultation   The first step in the process is for the proponent to pre-consult with the City?s Traffic and Parking Operations Branch.  The objectives of this pre-consultation would be for the proponent to explain their parking issues and their permit-parking proposal and for the City staff to explain the review process and requirements.  The proponent may also choose to confer with the Ward Councillor at this time.   Step Two: Application/Request   a)         Only Day Care Centers licensed under the Day Nurseries Act are eligible, and the proponent must be an administrative manager of the Day Care. b)         The proponent must submit a written request to the City?s Traffic and Parking Operations Branch that provides evidence of the need for Day Care Parking Permit Program by demonstrating that the Day Care has an insufficient means of providing off-street loading and unloading of Day Care patrons.  The evidence may be in the form of a written declaration together with site plans, surveys, and/or site photographs.   Step Three: Staff Review   City staff shall review the request by: completing an off-street inspection; reviewing on-street conditions including existing parking regulations and the availability or potential for a No Parking Zone; reviewing the impact on on-street parking supply and demand by other street users; reviewing potential safety or operational issues; and, concluding as to the appropriateness of the proposal.   5.5       Policy Regarding Day Care Parking Permit Fees The establishment and implementation of a Day Care Parking Permit Program comes at some cost to the City.  These costs include: staff effort in responding to requests for new or amended permit zones, erecting and maintaining special parking signs, administering the permit issuances, and additional enforcement.  Considering the cost to the City to implement the Program and considering the benefits are accrued only to permit holders as a special privilege, it is the policy of the City that the Program costs be recovered through permit sale revenues, with the permits priced accordingly on the City of Ottawa On-Street Parking Permit Fee Schedule.

 

Subject:  On-Street Parking Permit Policy		New: X Revised:	Policy/Procedure No.
Source: Council Report ACS2007-PWS-TRF-002	Date:      May 2007	Page #: 17	No. of Pages :  28

6.0       HEALTH CARE PARKING PERMITS   6.1       Program Purpose and Rationale The purpose of the Health Care Parking Permit program is to provide special privileges to residents requiring frequent and long-duration in-home health care services.  In general, the health care provider is allowed by permit to park on the street near an individual residence in restricted area zones for durations in excess of the posted limits, such as a 1- or 2-hour maximum time limits.  The resident receives and manages the permit that is tied to the residential address but is used by the health care provider and his/her vehicle.   The intent of the Program is to provide a special privilege to persons requiring regular in-home health care in dwellings that have insufficient off-street parking and on streets that have time limit restrictions that are typically shorter than the duration of the in-home care visit.  It is not intended to permit long-period parking by health care professionals on a city-wide basis, and is not intended to provide any special privilege with respect to metered parking, loading zones, no stopping zones, or other parking-restricted areas.   6.2       Special Privileges and Conditions for Health Care Parking Permits The following special privileges and conditions shall apply to Health Care Parking permit holders:   a)         Permit holders may remain parked on a City Street in a time-restricted non-metered on-street parking zone in the vicinity of the residential address to which the permit applies. b)         Permit holders may park their vehicle overnight an are exempt from the overnight parking ban during the winter months. c)         The permit may specify a limited time period during which the permit privileges apply. d)         Other than the special on-street parking privileges specified by the permit, all other traffic and parking regulations will apply.   6.3       Eligibility and Validity Provisions for Health Care Parking Permits The following eligibility and validity provisions shall apply:   a)         The permit will be granted only to the resident requiring regular in-home health care. b)         The applicant may either be the resident requiring regular in-home health care or another person authorized in writing by that resident.

 

Subject:  On-Street Parking Permit Policy		New: X Revised:	Policy/Procedure No.
Source: Council Report ACS2007-PWS-TRF-002	Date: May 2007	Page #: 18	No. of Pages :  28

c)         The applicant must complete an application form and state the reasons why the permit is required including:   i)             a description of the type, frequency and typical duration per visit of in-home health care being provided; ii)            a verification that off-street parking is unavailable either on the premises or in a public or private parking facility nearby; iii)            a description of the on-street parking time-restriction regulations on the street providing access to the residence; iv)           a verification that the health care provider is otherwise frequently unable to adhere to parking regulations; and, v)                      documentation from a health care professional or agency that confirms that necessary in-home health care services are being provided.   d)      Only one permit per residence will be granted unless it can be demonstrated by the applicant that there are other residents requiring simultaneous regular in-home health care. e)      The permit(s) shall either be offered as a 12-month permit that must be renewed annually on the anniversary of its issuance, or for a time-specified period. f)       The applicant is responsible to retain and distribute the permit to the health care provider, as needed, and to inform them of the limits on the privileges provided by the permit.   6.4       Special Policy Regarding Urgent House Calls The City may withdraw a parking violation ticket if the City is satisfied that the ticket was issued to a vehicle operated by an eligible health care professional who was making a house call on an urgent, time-sensitive basis, whereby the extra time that it may have taken to find alternative parking may have placed the health of the care receiver into jeopardy.  To be granted the special relief offered by this Policy, the following request review process and conditions shall apply:   a)         Eligible health care professionals must be licensed or registered professional health care providers that provide in-home health care services that may be required on a time-sensitive basis, such as medical doctors. b)         The ticketed eligible health care professional shall submit a signed written request for relief, within the normal time limits prescribed on the ticket, which document and testify: i)                    that they are an eligible health care professional; ii)                   banner of an agency, the request should made by the employee?s manager or supervisor.

 

Subject:  On-Street Parking Permit Policy		New: X Revised:	Policy/Procedure No.
Source: Council Report ACS2007-PWS-TRF-002	Date:      May 2007	Page #: 19	No. of Pages :  28

c)                  The written request for parking ticket withdrawal must also be accompanied by a legible photocopy of the parking ticket. d)                  Parking tickets will not be rescinded for any violations/or unauthorized parking related to signed or unsigned Stopping Prohibitions or parking in contradiction of private property restrictions enforced by the City (such as fire routes, disabled parking spaces).   6.5       Policy Regarding Health Care Parking Permit Fees As with other permits, the City accrues costs in the administration of the Program and the issuing of permits.  However, in this case, it is the policy of the City to issue the permit free of charge on compassionate grounds.  However, so that the City may track the issuance and location of the permits, the permit shall be required to be renewed annually.   7.0       TEMPORARY CONSIDERATION PARKING PERMITS   7.1       Program Purpose and Rationale The purpose of the Temporary Consideration Parking Permit Program is to provide short-term on-street parking privileges under special circumstances.  In general, permits are issued in circumstances when off-street parking spaces are displaced temporarily such as during off-street construction when a property?s parking spaces may be occupied with construction activities or garbage dumpsters.  Permits may be issued to both residential and non-residential uses.   The intent of this Program is to provide relief from parking regulations for infrequent and unavoidable circumstances when off-street parking is temporarily unavailable.  The Program intent is not to provide a means to allow the intensification of land use or as a solution to an off-street parking problem that would be better dealt with through land use planning controls, and is not intended to provide any special privilege with respect to metered parking, loading zones, no stopping zones, or other parking-restricted areas.  Temporary Consideration Permits are also not intended to provide for parking of contractors vehicles or equipment for which Encroachment Permits are applicable.   7.2       Special Privileges and Conditions for Temporary Consideration Parking Permits The following special privileges and conditions shall apply to Temporary Consideration Parking permit holders:

 

Subject:  On-Street Parking Permit Policy		New: X Revised:	Policy/Procedure No.
Source: Council Report ACS2007-PWS-TRF-002	Date:   May 2007	Page #: 20	No. of Pages :  28

a)         The permit shall provide the same on-street parking privileges offered by the Residential Parking Permit Program (including exemption from the winter overnight parking ban and exemption from time-specified parking periods), except as specified for non-residential uses, and subject to the same regulations. b)         The permit may specify a limited time period during which the permit privileges apply. c)         Other than the special on-street parking privileges specified by the permit, all other traffic and parking regulations will apply. d)         Temporary Consideration permits will not be issued for the use of City streets for the operation or parking of vehicles or equipment by contractors, as these requests are administered through Encroachment Permits.   7.3       Eligibility and Validity Provisions for Temporary Consideration Parking Permits The following application, eligibility and validity provisions shall apply:   a)      The applicant must complete an application and state the reasons why the permit is required and needed including: i)             The number of usually available off-street parking spaces; ii)            The number of off-street parking spaces temporarily displaced; iii)            The nature of the off-street activities that will temporarily displace parking (such as driveway modifications, parking area modifications, yard renovations, home renovations, or moving activities); and, iv)           That alternative off-street means of providing the required temporary parking were sought by the applicant but found to be unavailable. b)      The applicant must be the property owner or authorized property manager. c)      The City shall determine that temporary on-street parking privileges can be provided without adversely affecting: i)   The privileges of other permit holders in the affected area; ii)  The overall supply of on-street parking for other users; iii) Traffic circulation and road safety; and, iv) Road operations and maintenance activities. d)      In the case of requests for temporary on-street parking for non-residential land uses, the following additional criteria must be satisfied: i)   No other reasonable parking opportunities are available; ii)  The privileges will be provided only between 7:00 am and 7:00 pm (during business hours and to minimize possible conflicts with road maintenance activities);

 

Subject:  On-Street Parking Permit Policy		New: X Revised:	Policy/Procedure No.
Source: Council Report ACS2007-PWS-TRF-002	Date: May 2007	Page #: 21	No. of Pages :  28

iii) The temporary parking will not negatively impact on a residential area; and, iv) The temporary parking will not result in inappropriate increases in traffic on residential streets. e)         Permits may generally be issued for up to two weeks per permit.   7.4       Policy Regarding Temporary Consideration Parking Permit Fees As the City accrues costs similar to those of the Residential Parking Permit Program, the permit fees should be pro-rated on a daily basis to be equivalent to the Residential Parking Permit Program, as stipulated on the City of Ottawa On-Street Parking Permit Fee Schedule.   8.0       SPECIAL EVENT PARKING PERMITS   8.1       Program Purpose and Rationale The purpose of the Special Event Parking Permit Program is to provide short-term on-street parking privileges under special circumstances typically for only infrequent not-for-profit or charitable events at locations such as schools, places of worship, and other institutions.  In general, permits are issued to provide patrons some relief from time-restriction regulations when a special parking longer-duration demand is anticipated that cannot be accommodated off-street.   The Program is intended to allow patrons of a limited range of non-commercial special events to park longer than is otherwise permitted on specified streets.  The Program is not intended to provide any special privilege with respect to metered parking, loading zones, no stopping zones, or other parking-restricted areas.   8.2       Special Privileges and Conditions for Special Event Parking Permits The following special privileges and conditions shall apply to Special Event Parking permit holders:   a)         Permit holders are allowed to remain parked on streets or portions of streets specified on the permit, for duration or during the time of day specified on the permit. b)         Other than the special on-street parking privileges specified by the permit, all other traffic and parking regulations will apply.

Subject:  On-Street Parking Permit Policy		New: X Revised:	Policy/Procedure No.
Source: Council Report ACS2007-PWS-TRF-002	Date:     May 2007	Page #: 22	No. of Pages :  28

8.3       Eligibility and Validity Provisions for Special Event Parking Permits The following application, eligibility and validity provisions shall apply:   a)         The applicant must complete an application form and state the reasons why the permit is required and needed including: i)   the nature of the special event; ii)  the date(s), time of day, and duration; iii) the number of available off-street parking spaces iv) the approximate number of on-street parking spaces required; v)  That alternative off-street means of providing the required temporary parking were sought by the applicant but found to be unavailable; and, vi) That means to reduce vehicle demand such as the promotion of walking, cycling, transit use, ridesharing were considered. b)         The applicant must be either the property owner where the special event is to be located or be the event manager/organizer authorized by the owner. c)         Eligible special events shall include only infrequent not-for-profit or charitable events at locations such as schools, places of worship, and other institutions, and may include weddings.  Requests for on-street parking privileges for city-scale or community-wide events such as cultural or seasonal festivals or other large special events that are not site-specific will be considered on a case-by-case basis under the authority of the Director of the Traffic and Parking Operations Branch. d)         Events related to retailing or other commercial activities shall not be eligible. e)         The City shall determine that temporary on-street parking privileges can be provided without adversely affecting: i)   The privileges of other permit holders in the affected area; ii)  The overall supply of on-street parking for all users; iii) Traffic circulation and road safety; and iv) Road operations and maintenance activities. f)          If approved, permits shall be issued only for a specified period not to exceed two (2) weeks and for specified on-street locations. g)         The applicant is responsible to distribute the permit(s) to their users and to inform them of the limits on the privileges provided by the permit(s). h)         Other than the special on-street parking privileges specified by the permit, all other traffic and parking regulations will apply.

 

Subject:  On-Street Parking Permit Policy		New: X Revised:	Policy/Procedure No.
Source: Council Report ACS2007-PWS-TRF-002	Date:     May 2007	Page #: 23	No. of Pages :  28

8.4       Policy Regarding Special Event Parking Permit Fees In recognition that the eligible special events are typically not-for-profit or charitable, the City may charge a nominal fee that accounts for cost of permit issuance.   9.0       BUSINESS INDENTITY CARD PROGRAM   9.1       Program Purpose and Rationale The purpose of the Business Identity Card Program is to provide special short-term parking privileges for drivers of commercial or delivery and pick-up vehicles, not including passenger services, in the downtown and business districts of the City.  The card is essentially a permit that allows drivers to temporarily park on-street in ?loading? or signed ?no parking? zones.   The Program is intended to serve business-related drivers and is applicable across the City, where defined Loading or No Parking zones exist along the street.  It is not intended to provide any special privilege with respect to metered parking or other parking-restricted areas.   9.2       Special Privileges and Conditions for Business Identity Cards The following special privileges and conditions shall apply to Business Identity Card holders:   a)         Permit holders are allowed to stop, for purposes of delivery, pick-up, or loading, for: (i) up to fifteen (15) minutes in a "No Parking Zone"; or (ii) up to fifteen (15) minutes in a "Loading Zone". b)         The cards are only valid on-street and cardholders are not exempted from paying parking meters. c)         Other than the special on-street parking privileges specified by the permit, all other traffic and parking regulations will apply.   9.3       Eligibility and Validity Provisions for Business Identity Cards The following application, eligibility and validity provisions shall apply:   a)         Applicants are required to complete an application form and provide proof of their eligibility by describing in writing the nature of their business or service that requires them to be involved in the delivery and/or pickup of goods, packages, or messages in the normal conduct of that business or the provision of that service. b)         A business operator may be an applicant eligible to obtain a permit for each vehicle in a fleet used for pickup or delivery services.

 

Subject:  On-Street Parking Permit Policy		New: X Revised:	Policy/Procedure No.
Source: Council Report ACS2007-PWS-TRF-002	Date:    May 2007	Page #: 24	No. of Pages :  28

c)         Persons operating passenger pickup and/or delivery services, including taxis, are not eligible. d)         Each permit is valid only for one vehicle and only for the license plate specified on the application. e)         The Business Identity Card permit is valid only for the vehicle specified on the application and the permit must be visibly displayed on the dash or driver's side window. f)          The permit shall be offered as a twelve (12) month permit that must be renewed annually on the anniversary of its issuance.   10.0     GENERAL PROVISIONS The following general provisions apply to the City?s On-Street Parking Permit Programs:   a)         A single City of Ottawa On-Street Parking Permit Program Fee Schedule is to be created that sets out the fees for all Programs.  The fee schedule shall establish the rates to be charged for each Parking Permit Program, the manner in which fees may be pro-rated, and other matters pertaining to the fees. b)         Refunds will not be issued for a paid-period of less than one month (i.e. less than 30 days before the expiry date).  Where fees are charged for new or replacement permits, it is the policy of the City that a minimum fee be charged to cover basic administration costs, as set out in the Fee Schedule. c)         The City will issue replacement permits subject to the following conditions: i)   If the permit has been lost or stolen, a written and signed statement be provided by the original permit holder that declares that the permit was lost or stolen; ii)  If a permit has been damaged, the damaged permit must be provided to the City by the original permit holder; iii) If there is a change of address or vehicle, evidence of the change will be provided in accordance with the original permit requirements; and iv) A minimum fee may be charged to cover basic administration costs, as set out in the fee schedule. d)         Permit holders shall be advised at time of permit issuance of their special privileges, obligations and responsibilities, including but not limited to the following matters: i)   The permit is valued and should be kept secure and in recognizable condition; ii)  The permit shall be placed in the interior lower left-hand corner of the front windshield in a clearly visible location; iii) The permit(s) shall expire on the date indicated on the face of the permit;

 

Subject:  On-Street Parking Permit Policy		New: X Revised:	Policy/Procedure No.
Source: Council Report ACS2007-PWS-TRF-002	Date:        May 2007	Page #: 25	No. of Pages :  28

iv) The permit may specify location, time of year, day of week, and time of day conditions that apply and it is the responsibility of the permit holder to understand these conditions; v)  The privileges are provided only to the person, residence, and/or registered vehicle assigned to the permit; vi) The permit may be cancelled and special privileges revoked by the City if the permit-holder fails to adhere to the Permit regulations, at the City?s discretion; and, vii)Other than the special on-street parking privileges specified by the permit, all other traffic and parking regulations will apply, and it is the responsibility of the permit holder to understand these regulations.   11.0     IMPLEMENTATION The following are policies pertaining to the implementation of the City?s On-Street Parking Permit Programs:   a)         The City of Ottawa Traffic and Parking By-Law shall be the primary regulatory tool regarding the On-Street Parking Permit Programs set out in this Policy.  The Programs may be specified as new By-Law Schedules where appropriate and integrated with existing Schedules that specify parking regulations on a street-by-street basis. b)         On-street parking permit opportunities should be administered as an overall Program, using various tools including: Program information summaries, application guides and forms (standardized or Program-specific application forms, as required), and, distinguishable permit formats. Details of the tools will be determined by the City?s Client Services Centre staff in collaboration with By-law Services Branch staff and Traffic and Parking Operations Branch staff as required. c)         Monitoring may be conducted to enable the periodic assessment of the utility and effectiveness of the various on-street parking permit Programs. It is suggested that the City?s existing data management systems can be used to prepare an annual monitoring report of: i)   Number of permits issued each year, by permit type; ii)  The amount of fees paid (revenue) by permit type; and, iii) The utilization of Residential Parking Permits.

 

Subject:  On-Street Parking Permit Policy		New: X Revised:	Policy/Procedure No.
Source: Council Report ACS2007-PWS-TRF-002	Date:     May 2007	Page #: 26	No. of Pages :  28

d)         Staff may maintain a file of the annual monitoring reports together with information on: requests for on-street parking privileges not offered through existing Programs; complaints regarding existing Programs; and suggestions for improvement to existing Programs, to be used as a basis for future Program reviews, or adjustments when required. e)         As needs change or as opportunities arise in the future, the City may consider changes to existing On-Street Parking Permit Programs or the creation of new Programs. Related decisions should have regard for General Basis and Guiding Principles of this Policy. f)          Document 2 ? City of Ottawa On-Street Parking Permit Fees Schedule, will be updated/revised annually as part of the Budget approval process by Council.  Any corresponding annual adjustment will implemented on 1st of April for the next year.   12.0     LEGISLATIVE AND POLICY BASIS   12.1     The City Interest in On-Street Parking The City of Ottawa has jurisdiction over the use of its streets for parking, and utilizes many approaches to control this use.  The City?s primary interests in controlling on-street parking include: ensuring public safety, ensuring that streets can be properly maintained; managing cycling, transit, and vehicular traffic flow on the street; influencing modal choice, supporting economic viability of adjacent uses; minimizing street operation and maintenance costs, and in some cases, generating revenue from the use of its streets.   The City of Ottawa Traffic and Parking By-Law  No. 2003-530 came into effect on 24 February 2004.  This By-Law sets out the City-wide regulations for parking and stopping on City Streets. These include no-stopping zones, no-parking zones, loading zones, restricted period parking zones, parking meters, pay and display machines, and other provisions.  This By-Law is enforced in conjunction with other associated street use By-Laws.  This On-Street Parking Permit Policy is intended to work in concert with those regulations while providing special parking privileges on City streets subject to the issuance of permits.   12.2     Legislative Basis For On-Street Parking Permit Section 170(5) of Ontario?s Highway Traffic Act provides the province with the authority to ?make regulations prohibiting or regulating the parking, standing or stopping of vehicles upon a highway or any part of a highway or upon any class or classes thereof?.

 

Subject:  On-Street Parking Permit Policy		New: X Revised:	Policy/Procedure No.
Source: Council Report ACS2007-PWS-TRF-002	Date:   May 2007	Page #: 27	No. of Pages :  28

Section 170(12) requires that, ?no person shall park or stand a vehicle on a highway in such a manner as to interfere with the movement of traffic or the clearing of snow from the highway?.  Section 170(15) of the Act provides enforcement abilities, and Regulation 604 of the Act also sets out various on-street parking restrictions that are used as the basis for municipalities when adopting By-laws related to parking and traffic on public streets.  Such By-laws are to be consistent with the provincial regulations.   In accordance with Section 27(1) of Ontario?s Municipal Act, 2001, the City of Ottawa may, ?pass by-laws in respect of a highway only if it has jurisdiction over the highway?, and, ?Except as otherwise provided in this Act, under the sphere of jurisdiction Highways, including parking and traffic on highways", a municipality may pass by-laws removing or restricting the common law right of passage by the public over a highway and the common law right of access to the highway by an owner of land abutting a highway. (Section 35)?.  These sections enable the City of Ottawa to pass By-laws regulating parking on City streets.   Section 63(1) of the Municipal Act also enables the City to remove, impound, restrain or immobilize a vehicle that contravenes an on-street parking By-law. Section 439(1) of the Act provides municipal enforcement powers related to violations of on-street parking by-laws. Section 391(1) of the Municipal Act permits the City of Ottawa to charge fees and charges for its service in permitting on-street parking:   Despite any Act, a municipality and a local board may pass by-laws imposing fees or charges on any class of persons, (a) for services or activities provided or done by or on behalf of it; (b) for costs payable by it for services or activities provided or done by or on behalf of any other municipality or local board; and, (c) for the use of its property including property under its control.   Together with the Highway Traffic Act, these Municipal Act provisions form the legal basis for the City of Ottawa to adopt By-laws regulating parking on City Streets and to charge fees.

 

 

Subject:  On-Street Parking Permit Policy		New: X Revised:	Policy/Procedure No.
Source:  Council Report ACS2007-PWS-TRF-002	Date: May 2007	Page #: 28	No. of Pages :  28

 

12.3     Relationship to Official Plan and Transportation Master Plan   Council of the City of Ottawa adopted its new Official Plan (OP) on 14 May 2003.  The Plan ?provides a vision of the future growth of the city and a policy framework to guide its physical development to the year 2021? (Section 1.1).  The Plan is supported by a Transportation Master Plan (TMP), approved on 10 September 2003, that sets out ?the City?s approach to managing and meeting the demand for transportation facilities, including walking, cycling, transit and roads?.  One of the goals of the TMP, as stated in Section 2.3.1.1 of the Official Plan, will be for the City to achieve a modal split of 30% in favour of transit.  This objective implements the Official Plan?s principles of pursuing ?a better-balanced transportation system, which puts more emphasis on transit, cycling and pedestrian facilities? and ?reducing the reliance on the automobile? (Section 1.6).   12.4   Policy Updates and Revisions   This policy, and associated programs and zones, will be updated/revised as required, under the Delegated Authority of the Director of the Traffic and Parking Operations Branch.  Significant changes, such as new programs, will be brought forward for Council approval.

 

 

DOCUMENT 2

ON-STREET PARKING PERMIT 2007 FEE SCHEDULE

(Effective 1 July 2007)

 

Program	Annual Fee(1)	Monthly Fee(1) (April through November, inclusive)	Monthly Fee(1) (December through March, inclusive)	Specified Period Fee(1)
Residential Parking Permit	$560	$20	$100	$10 minimum per permit, otherwise pro-rated to Applicable Monthly Rate.
Residential Visitor Parking Permit	Not Available	Not Available	Not Available	$10 minimum per permit, otherwise pro-rated to Applicable Monthly Rate for Residential Parking Permit Program (two weeks max. per permit, no two consecutive issuances)
Guest Parking Permit(2)	$20	Not Available	Not Available	$20
Day Care Parking Permit(2)	$220	Not Available	Not Available	$220
Health Care Parking Permit	$0	Not Available	Not Available	$0
Temporary Consideration Parking Permit	Not Available	Not Available	Not Available	$10 minimum per vehicle, otherwise pro-rated to Applicable Monthly Rate for Residential Parking Permit Program.
Special Event Parking Permit(2)	Not Available	Not Available	Not Available	$20
Business Identity Card	$100	Not Available	Not Available	$100
Notes: The Goods and Services Tax (GST) and Provincial Sales Tax (PST) will be added to all fees as applicable. In the case of the Guest Permit, Day Care Permit and Special Event Permit Parking Programs, each permit issuance shall include the allowed number of individual permits, for the one specified fee. Fee provisions for mid-period issuances, early cancellation refunds and lost/stolen permits exist. Fee rates will be subject to annual indexing adjustments.

 

DOCUMENT 3

ESTIMATED PARKING PERMIT REVENUES

 

PROGRAM	PERMITS	ESTIMATED ANNUAL COSTS	FUTURE ANNUAL REVENUE	2006 ACTUAL REVENUE	2007 BUDGET REVENUE	NOTES
Residential Parking Permit	450	$324,000(1)	$252,000	$245,706	$252,470
Residential Visitor Parking Permit	500	$16,070(1)	$11,730	$2,062	$15,330
Guest Parking Permit	35 not in effect until 2008	$980	$700 not in effect until 2008	$0	$0
Day Care Parking Permit	16	$3,820	$3,520	$0	$1,000
Health Care Parking Permit	5	$140	$0	$0	$0
Temporary Consideration Parking Permit	650	$7,150	$6,500	$0	$5,000	Some long term permits will be issued utilizing residential parking permit rates
Special Event Parking Permit	160	$4,480	$3,200	$0	$3,200
Business Identity Card	1,500	$42,000	$150,000	$129,113	$150,000
TOTAL		$398,640	$427,650	$390,687	$427,000

 

⁽¹⁾ Costs will vary from year to year as a result of climatic conditions
                                                                                                                                                          DOCUMENT 4

CURRENT PERMIT PROGRAM DELIVERY COSTS WITH

CURRENT AND RECOMMENDED FEES (2007)

 

Cost Component	Residential Parking Permit  April through November (/Space/Month)	Residential Parking Permit December through March (/Space/Month)	Residential Visitor Permit (/Space/Month)	Temporary Consideration Permit (/Space/Month)
Program Planning/Regulation	$3.42	$3.42	$3.42	$3.42
Signage	$1.77	$1.77	$1.77	$1.77
Permitting/Client Service	$10.24	$10.24	$10.24	$10.24
Enforcement	$4.27	$4.27	$4.27	$4.27
General Maintenance/ Operations	$1.65	$1.65	$1.65	$1.65
Indirect Costs/Contingencies	$6.65	$6.65	$6.65	$6.65
Additional Winter Maintenance	N/A	$96.00	$96.00	$96.00
Total Costs	$28.00/month	$124.00 month	Same as Residential Parking Permits	Same as Residential Parking Permits
Fees
Current Fee	$20.00/month	$100.00/month	$5.00/two week issuance	2 weeks or less duration $0.00. Longer durations pro-rated to monthly Residential Parking Permit fee
Recommended Fee	$20.00/month	$100.00/month	$10.00 minimum per permit, otherwise pro-rated to applicable monthly rate for Residential Parking Permit Program (two weeks maximum per permit, no two consecutive issuances)	$10.00 minimum per vehicle, otherwise pro-rated to applicable monthly rate for Residential Parking Permit Program

 

DOCUMENT 4 CONTINUED

CURRENT PERMIT PROGRAM DELIVERY COSTS WITH

CURRENT AND RECOMMENDED FEES (2007)

 

Cost Component	Guest Parking Permit (/Year)	Health Care Permit (/Year)	Business Identity (/Year)	Day Care (/Year)	Special Event Permit (/Issuance)
Program Planning/Regulation	$3.42	$3.42	$3.42	$50.00(1)	$3.42
Signage	$1.77	$1.77	$1.77	$50.00(1)	$1.77
Permitting/Client Service	$10.24	$10.24	$10.24	$120.00(2)	$10.24
Enforcement	$4.27	$4.27	$4.27	Negligible	$4.27
General Maintenance/ Operations	$1.65	$1.65	$1.65	Included Above	$1.65
Indirect Costs/Contingencies	$6.65	$6.65	$6.65	N/A	$6.65
Additional Winter Maintenance	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Total Costs	$28.00/year	$28.00/year	$28.00/year	$220.00/year	$28.00/issuance
Fees
Current Fee	$40.00 or less initial fee for specified number of permits, no expiry	$0.00	$100.00/year	$30.00 initial application fee, no annual renewal fee	$0.00
Recommended Fee	$20.00/year	$0.00	$100.00/year	$220.00/year	$20.00/issuance
(1) Start up cost annualized over 10 years. (2) Start up cost annualized over 10 years and annual renewal.