Brampton Explores Paid Overnight Parking Permits Through Pilot Program

Brampton City Council is taking steps toward addressing parking challenges with a proposed pilot program that could allow residents to purchase paid permits for overnight parking on streets, city facilities, and parks. The initiative, spearheaded by Councillor Martin Medeiros for Wards 3 and 4, aims to offer a feasible solution to parking congestion while enhancing enforcement efforts.

During the November 27 committee of council meeting, Medeiros introduced a motion for a “neighbourhood parking pilot project.” The motion passed by a 6-4 vote and now awaits final ratification at the council’s upcoming meeting on December 11. If approved, the pilot program would expand on an already planned initiative targeting paid parking in downtown Brampton.

Under current traffic bylaws, overnight street parking in Brampton is prohibited between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. Additionally, vehicles cannot park on streets for more than three consecutive hours or exceed specific size limits. However, enforcement has been a persistent issue. A city report from May revealed that up to 50% of parking complaints went unanswered due to high call volumes and a shortage of bylaw enforcement officers.

In June, the city council responded by approving the addition of over 36 new bylaw enforcement officers to manage parking violations and support the residential rental licensing (RRL) pilot program. Mayor Patrick Brown emphasized the need for better enforcement, citing unresolved complaints ranging from illegal parking to poorly maintained properties and unauthorized basement apartments.

Despite these measures, updates on response rate improvements have not yet been provided.

Medeiros drew inspiration for the program from a similar initiative in Milton. Slated for launch in spring 2024, Milton’s pilot will enable residents to purchase a limited number of permits for overnight parking in designated parks. Medeiros believes a comparable approach in Brampton could alleviate illegal parking while fostering safer streets.

“We need innovative strategies to make our residential streets safer and address the overwhelming volume of parking complaints,” Medeiros stated.

Brampton city staff are already working on a broader paid parking permit system for downtown areas, which are currently underutilized. Medeiros’ motion seeks to extend the scope to include other public spaces across the city, such as parks and facilities.

City officials are expected to present detailed plans for the paid parking permit system as part of the broader parking strategy approved in November. This includes evaluating feasibility, costs, and potential revenue generation.

As the council prepares for the December 11 meeting, residents and stakeholders await more details on how the pilot program will be implemented. With illegal parking complaints and enforcement gaps posing ongoing challenges, the initiative represents a significant step toward addressing Brampton’s evolving parking needs.