Central Area Parking Strategy and On Street Parking Permit Policy and Pilot Study

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Cars parked along George Street while vehicles drive by, in downtown Peterborough

This project consists of two distinct studies concerning parking practices in the City

Central Area Parking Strategy

The Central Area Parking Strategy will be formed with the ultimate goal of supporting growth by leveraging City facilities to reduce requirements for on-site long-term parking while ensuring sufficient short-term parking is available to support an economically healthy and vibrant core.

Commencing in 2026 the development of the strategy will consider short-term and longer-term parking requirements for cars and bicycles, including accessible parking requirements in the Central Area.

Recommendations by the City’s Consultant will provide guidance regarding space type (accessible, small vehicle, motorcycle, electric vehicle with charging infrastructure, bicycle and specialized vehicle). The Consultant will also provide guidance for commercial/employment/institutional parking space requirements as part of the assessment of Central Area parking requirements.

Lastly, The Central Area Parking Strategy will review current and recommended improvements to the City of Peterborough parking operations, including parking rates, monthly garage passes (quantity and rate), as well as areas within the central area where paid parking should be implemented. The recommendations will be made with a view to maximizing parking revenue without sacrificing economic vitality, while also encouraging active transportation and transit use.

On-Street Parking Permit Policy and Pilot Study

The program is intended to reduce the burden on development to accommodate all required parking within a single site. The project will determine the available public parking space throughout the City. Using this information, a new On-Street Parking Permit Policy is expected to be developed.

A draft On-street Parking Permit Program and three separate parking permit pilot areas will be prepared and presented to City Council. Following Council’s endorsement, the Pilot studies will be implemented in three different areas of the City. Information from residents, users of the program as well as City-wide consultation will be completed during the pilot studies to help inform the future program.

The Pilot Studies will not create new parking spaces, and operating terms and conditions for each Pilot Study area have not been finalized yet. There are no plans to dedicate specific spots for permit holders and the maximum number of permits available will be limited to ensure there is still sufficient short-term parking available for non-permit holders.

All parking, whether with a permit or without, must still comply with the current parking by-law. This includes prohibitions against interfering with vehicle movements, snow removal and minimum separation from driveways, fire hydrants, crosswalks, intersections, and bus stops. A permit will only allow a permit holder to park longer than current maximum parking limits and will exempt the permit holder from the seasonal parking ban from 2:00 am to 6:00 am. Parked vehicles that interfere with traffic movement or snow removal will be subject to enforcement.

A variety of permit types will be available. These include free 24-hour permits (up to 10 per residential address), 24 and 48 -hour permits, 7-day permits, 1-month, 6-month and possibly 1-year permits. As is the case today, short duration on-street parking will not require a permit.

Pilot project areas have been selected to test a variety of operating conditions to provide robust data that can be relied upon to inform a permanent On-Street Parking Permit program in expanded areas throughout the City.


This project consists of two distinct studies concerning parking practices in the City

Central Area Parking Strategy

The Central Area Parking Strategy will be formed with the ultimate goal of supporting growth by leveraging City facilities to reduce requirements for on-site long-term parking while ensuring sufficient short-term parking is available to support an economically healthy and vibrant core.

Commencing in 2026 the development of the strategy will consider short-term and longer-term parking requirements for cars and bicycles, including accessible parking requirements in the Central Area.

Recommendations by the City’s Consultant will provide guidance regarding space type (accessible, small vehicle, motorcycle, electric vehicle with charging infrastructure, bicycle and specialized vehicle). The Consultant will also provide guidance for commercial/employment/institutional parking space requirements as part of the assessment of Central Area parking requirements.

Lastly, The Central Area Parking Strategy will review current and recommended improvements to the City of Peterborough parking operations, including parking rates, monthly garage passes (quantity and rate), as well as areas within the central area where paid parking should be implemented. The recommendations will be made with a view to maximizing parking revenue without sacrificing economic vitality, while also encouraging active transportation and transit use.

On-Street Parking Permit Policy and Pilot Study

The program is intended to reduce the burden on development to accommodate all required parking within a single site. The project will determine the available public parking space throughout the City. Using this information, a new On-Street Parking Permit Policy is expected to be developed.

A draft On-street Parking Permit Program and three separate parking permit pilot areas will be prepared and presented to City Council. Following Council’s endorsement, the Pilot studies will be implemented in three different areas of the City. Information from residents, users of the program as well as City-wide consultation will be completed during the pilot studies to help inform the future program.

The Pilot Studies will not create new parking spaces, and operating terms and conditions for each Pilot Study area have not been finalized yet. There are no plans to dedicate specific spots for permit holders and the maximum number of permits available will be limited to ensure there is still sufficient short-term parking available for non-permit holders.

All parking, whether with a permit or without, must still comply with the current parking by-law. This includes prohibitions against interfering with vehicle movements, snow removal and minimum separation from driveways, fire hydrants, crosswalks, intersections, and bus stops. A permit will only allow a permit holder to park longer than current maximum parking limits and will exempt the permit holder from the seasonal parking ban from 2:00 am to 6:00 am. Parked vehicles that interfere with traffic movement or snow removal will be subject to enforcement.

A variety of permit types will be available. These include free 24-hour permits (up to 10 per residential address), 24 and 48 -hour permits, 7-day permits, 1-month, 6-month and possibly 1-year permits. As is the case today, short duration on-street parking will not require a permit.

Pilot project areas have been selected to test a variety of operating conditions to provide robust data that can be relied upon to inform a permanent On-Street Parking Permit program in expanded areas throughout the City.


Page last updated: 06 Mar 2026, 02:42 PM