Get involved and stay informed

Check back regularly for project updates posted here

Please share your thoughts about the Draft Bylaw and Policy!

The City is reviewing its parking regulations to ensure that off-street parking requirements associated with new development is in line with the City's existing plans and policies. (Off-street parking requirements refer to the number and type of parking spaces required with new construction.)

The updated bylaw will provide developers with clear direction about parking requirements, the approval process, supply rates and facility design that all align with the City's strategic objectives. It will provide opportunities to advance the City's strategic directions related to land use and built form, multi-modal transportation and effective parking management.

Your input is needed! Please review DRAFT Off-Street Parking Regulations Bylaw and the DRAFT Parking Variance Policy and share your feedback on the Let's Talk Colwood site.

The following are some of the key changes being proposed:

  • Reductions in the minimum number of parking spaces to better reflect parking needs.
  • Improved requirements for bicycle parking supply and design, including commuter end-of-trip facilities such as showers and lockers.
  • Requirements for new development to include provisions that will allow for installation of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in future.
  • Better alignment of parking supply requirements with parking needs and an option for staff referral of variances to create a reduction in the number and magnitude of parking variances being sought.

Parking Project Timeline

The parking bylaw update is currently underway and expected to be complete early in 2021.

How the community has been involved

Thank you to everyone who shared their thoughts in the Parking Survey back in August 2020. Your input is documented in this Engagement Summary and has helped to shape the Strategic Directions that resulted in the the Draft Off-Street Parking Regulations Bylaw and the Draft Parking Variance Policy that will be presented to Council in 2021.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Where can I find the City's current parking regulations?

Colwood’s current parking regulations can be found within the Land Use Bylaw. In addition, the Colwood Official Community Plan identifies parking supply and/or design requirements in certain neighborhoods.
 

2. Why is a parking bylaw important?

Off-street parking regulations are one of the many ways the City’s strategic plan and Official Community Plan will be realized. This includes ensuring that the right amount of parking is provided in future development and that all parking facilities are well designed and safe. Further, updated off-street parking regulations will help the City address its key objectives, such as increasing the provision of bicycle parking, ensuring universal access through provision of accessible parking, and supporting a shift to electric mobility through provision of charging facilities for electric vehicles and electric bicycles.
 

3. What are Off-Street Parking Regulations?

Off-street parking regulations determine the number, type, design and layout of parking spaces required as part of all new development. This addresses parking for conventional vehicles, as well as specialty parking for accessible vehicles, visitors and electric vehicles. Requirements for bicycle parking may also be included.
 

4. What do Off-Street Parking Regulations not address?

Off-street parking regulations do not address any requirement for on-street parking supply. On-street parking requirements are part of the frontage improvements required of new development. Further, consideration of time or user restrictions on on-street parking are determined by the municipality and are not included in off-street parking regulations.
 

5. Once complete, what will the bylaw include?

The off-street parking bylaw will include all off-street parking requirements for new development.

This may sound complicated, and it can be. But the result will be clear, easily understood parking regulations that are up-to-date and better aligned with the City’s over arching policies and objectives.

6. How long will this process take?

The bylaw update process is currently underway and is expected to be completed by the Fall 2020. Please check in for regular updates and to follow the bylaw update’s progress.
 

7. How will COVID-19 affect this process?

We will engage the general public and stakeholders to learn more about current parking pressures and other considerations which will be informed by past and current parking observations. We have taken public health recommendations into account and are relying heavily on virtual surveys and 'sounding boards' in popular Colwood shops that will help us safely gather feedback where people are already gathering or completing essential trips (ie. coffee shops, grocery stores, or recreational locations).