Works and Emergency Services
City Hall
23rd Floor, East Tower
100 Queen Street West
Toronto, Ontario
Canada M5H 2N2
February 2, 1999
To:Toronto Community Council
From:Angie Antoniou, Manager, Right of Way Management, Transportation Services,
District 1
Subject:Implications of Permitting Front Yard Parking Where There are More Permit
Parking Spaces Available Than Permits Issued, on the Side of the Street Where Permit
Parking is Authorized (All Wards in the former City of Toronto)
Purpose:
To report on the implications of permitting front yard parking where there are more permit
parking spaces available than permits issued, on the side of the street where permit parking is
authorized. As this is a matter of public interest, this report is scheduled as a deputation item.
Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:
Not applicable.
Recommendation:
That City Council not consider amending Municipal Code Chapter 400, Traffic and Parking,
of the former City of Toronto Municipal Code, to permit front yard parking on the same side
of the street as permit parking, notwithstanding that there may be more spaces than permits
issued.
Background:
The Toronto Community Council, at its meeting of October 14, 1998, had before it our report
(September 8, 1998), respecting Ward Councillors' Views on Local Options for Front Yard
Parking and Changes to the Current By-law and requested the Commissioner of Works and
Emergency Services to report to the Toronto Community Council on the implications of
permitting front yard parking where there are more permit parking spaces available than
permits issued, on the side of the street where permit parking is authorized.
Comments:
General Information About Permit Parking
The objective of the permit parking program is to provide a rational allocation of the on-street
parking supply to residents in need of parking because of lack of on-site parking.
Permit parking was implemented in 1961 to respond to the needs of residents who did not
have on-site parking available. Special legislation was obtained from the Province to allow the
City to establish periods of time when only permit holders can park on the street. During
non-permit parking times, permit holders can still park on the street, but parking is also
available to the general public. Permit holders are also exempted from limited duration
parking periods, such as 1 hour parking, and from paying fees at parking meters.
Currently, approximately 70% of the streets in Wards 19 through 26 are licensed for permit
parking, with a total of 60,302 legal on-street permit parking spaces, of which, 52,602 legal
on-street parking spaces are allocated in 70 permit parking areas and 7,700 legal on-street
parking spaces are allocated on 174 streets authorized for permit parking.
An on-street permit parking space is considered a parking space when it is listed in the former
City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 400, Traffic and Parking, as the maximum number
of available spaces to be issued on a street or portion of a street (average length of a space 5.5
m).
Adequacy of Parking Supply
At the end of the November 30, 1998 renewal term, there were 53,131 permit holders
recorded on the permit holders file representing 88.1% space allocation in Wards 19 through
26 (the former City of Toronto). In addition, 1493 people were on the permit parking wait list
for an on-street parking permit. Details of the space allocation is provided below:
The availability of on-street parking has almost reached its full capacity. There are currently
47 unique combinations of permit parking operating hours which were developed over time,
in consultation with area Councillors and community representatives in response to specific
concerns from resident permit holders of their inability to park on their street because of
transient parkers, visitors, tradespeople etc.
As indicated earlier, the availability of on-street parking almost reached its full capacity.
Permitting front yard parking on the side of the street where permit parking is authorized
further reduces the already congested streets/areas for resident permit holders. This
Department already receives complaints from residents with on-street parking permits having
to compete for parking with visitors, transient parkers, tradespeople etc. The 47 Schedules of
permit parking hours is a reflection of the communities' needs.
Front yard parking is for the exclusive use of the homeowner whereas permit parking on-street
is used by any resident of the street/area and the general public.
Permitting front yard parking on the same side of the street as permit parking would further
burden these permit holders and it is not advisable.
The amendments in 1996 to the former City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 400, Traffic
and Parking, preserved the Permit Parking Program as a public asset and the desirability of
maintaining attractive streetscapes by having landscaped open space and trees. To preserve
on-street parking spaces and to recognize the importance of maintaining the public parking
supply, it is recommended that front yard parking not be permitted on the same side of the
street as permit parking notwithstanding that there may be more spaces than permits issued.
