Frequently Asked Questions about parking

Background on change

Vancouver City Council approved paid parking on weekends for on-street public parking to address the growing demand for and lack of access to parking on weekends. By instituting paid parking on weekends, we aim to create greater turnover in parking spaces. This change will help ensure that more visitors and residents can easily access downtown, boosting local businesses and enhancing the overall vibrancy of our community.

What areas will be affected by this change?

We will be implementing seven-day paid parking in two phases, with the first phase focused on on-street public parking on and south of Evergreen Boulevard beginning June 1, 2025. Public on-street parking in the rest of downtown, including all areas north of Evergreen, will transition to 7-day enforcement in the first half of 2026.

During what hours will I be required to pay to park?

The hours will be the same as on weekdays: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Will weekends cost more to park than weekdays?

Weekends will cost the same as weekdays.

Will payment options be the same on weekends?

We will continue to offer all payment options, including our Parking Kitty phone app and payment by cash or credit cards at nearby pay stations. Pay stations can be found on nearly all blocks that allow public parking.

How does this change affect monthly permit holders?

Monthly permits to park in public on-street spaces will now be valid seven days a week on blocks with signs allowing permit parking.

How will this change affect downtown events, such as the Farmers Market?

The change to paid parking on weekends is intended to free up more parking for visitors, especially those visiting downtown for weekend events. Visitors should find more on-street parking spots available during event hours. The lot west of Vancouver City Hall will be available for Farmers Market parking throughout the 2025 season. In addition, community members are encouraged to take public transit or park at other nearby off-street parking lots.

How will this change affect downtown business?

The implementation of seven-day paid parking should improve turn over of existing on-street spaces near downtown businesses and provide more opportunities for customers to find parking. Employees who currently park on the street are encouraged to find alternative parking including monthly permits for either public on-street spaces or private off-street lots. In addition, we are committed to working with impacted businesses to prepare customers and employees for the change in parking requirements.

How will this change affect organizations such as churches with weekend activities?

The implementation of seven-day paid parking should improve turn over of existing on-street spaces near downtown organizations and provide more opportunities for members to find parking for short stays. In addition, impacted organizations should ensure that individuals with mobility challenges access parking for people with disabilities, which would allow them to continue to park for free in convenient locations during their visits. Impacted organizations should also contact us to ensure that key locations around their buildings are maintained as designated drop-off zones for individuals not able to walk to nearby on-street parking.

The City also encourages organizations with weekend events and meetings to explore satellite parking options where members can be shuttled to meeting and services.

What is Pay-by-plate?

Pay-by-plate is another way to pay to park at a pay station. Customers purchase parking time at a pay station using their license plate number. There is no paper receipt to lose or misplace. Purchase time is tied to your license plate. An electronic receipt can be sent via text message to your cellular phone.

How do I enter my plate?

Enter your license plate number from left to right without spaces, including stacked letters/numbers. No special characters.  Make sure your entire rear license plate is visible, and the license plate frame does not cover any portion of a letter or number.

What if I have a trip permit?

Enter your trip permit as it reads, including any letters and state the trip permit has been issued from, if prompted. Do not use a vehicle description or the dealer plate.

What do I do if I enter my license plate incorrectly?

• A parking session cannot be adjusted once started. You will need to immediately start a new session with the correct license plate. If Parking enforcement officers are not able to match the license plate on your vehicle with the transaction data, you can receive a citation.

How do I prove I paid with the pay by plate system?

The pay station will give you the option to either print a receipt or have one sent to your cellular phone. We encourage users to use one of these available options.

Can I use coins at the pay station?

Currently, many of our pay stations accept coins. Our pay stations that are touch screen do not accept coins.

What do I do if the pay station is not working?

You can pay using the Parking Kitty app or at the nearest working pay station.

Can I move to a different street when I have an active session?

Yes, currently you can move to another street if your session is still active.

Are there any other options to pay to park?

You can download the Parking Kitty app on your mobile device and start a parking session. Please visit https://www.cityofvancouver.us/economic-prosperity-and-housing/parking/parking-kitty-app/

How does parking enforcement know that I paid?

Parking enforcement officers will enter the license plate adhered to the rear of the vehicle into their handheld device to check for active sessions. Be sure to enter your license plate number correctly including the issuing state.

What is the Parking Kitty zone and how do I find it?

The Parking Kitty zone number can be located on signage on the block or decals on the pay station and is required to start a session.

Why don’t pay by plate pay stations automatically print a receipt?

At pay-by-plate pay stations, Parking Enforcement no longer needs the printed receipt to verify payment. This reduces paper waste and maintenance costs by eliminating paper and printer service issues. Payments can now be verified electronically by Parking Enforcement devices.

Why are pay stations being converted to pay-by-plate?

Vancouver has historically used a pay and display system with printed receipts to prove parking payment. Converting to a pay-by-plate system lowers maintenance costs, reduces possible failure points in machines, reduces paper waste and increases convenience as users no longer need to return to their vehicles to display a receipt.

Examples below show how to read a plate number:

Enter Plate as AAA8103

Enter plate as 892SGM.

Enter plate as CWUSMPLE.

Enter as P000000.

Enter as CA00000.

• Visitors/Patrons typically park at the short-term (3 hour or less) meter/pay stations located primarily in the business district. There are some short terms meters dispersed all over downtown.

• As an employee, an on-street permit is typically the best value ($100 per month) and allows for parking long term in designated permit areas. We now have an employee permit and zone for employees who make $20 an hour or less at a cost of $20 per month.

• If you carpool, we have a permit for designated carpool spaces.

• Maps and information can be found on the Parking Services website.

You can park as long as the posted time limits allow (look for the signs). The City has a 24-hour maximum for continuous parking on the street, which very few citizens are aware of.

Directions are on the back of the citation. Per State law, you have 30 days to appeal. The back of the citation must be filled out along with an appeal form that can be obtained via the Parking Services website or at the Customer Service Desk at City Hall.

If a pay station is not working, you can use the nearest pay station instead. Another option is to use the Parking Kitty app.

It is also helpful if you can report the issue to Parking Services by calling the number on the machine.

The City uses both a number and a name for our public lots and garages. The main ones are:

• Lot 1: Smith Tower Lot
• Lot 2: Evergreen Lot
• Lot 11: Broadway lot
• Lot 18: Vancouver Center Garage