By Staff
February 15th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
New this spring!
Parking fees in high demand lots and all on-street metered parking spaces on will increase starting March 1st, 2024.
Drivers will need to pay for parking in three out of the 14 municipal parking lots and metered on-street spaces on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Parking is free after 6 p.m.
Users with a valid accessible parking permit or City-issued Veteran Parking Permit may still park in any space for free if the accessible spaces are occupied.
New Saturday parking fees
The three lots are: 1, 4 and 5. Users will need to pay for parking in these lots and metered on-street parking from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
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Parking has been a Burlington problem for a long time. The Mall lot on Guelph Line.
Lot 1 – Pearl Street Lot, 431 Elizabeth St.
- Lot 4 – Elizabeth Street Lot, 421 John St.
- Lot 5 – Brant Street Lot, 391 Brant St.
Parking is free in most other Downtown Burlington lots, including the Waterfront Parking Garage at 414 Locust St., on weekends and holidays.
Downtown parking fee increases
For the first time in 10 years, all downtown metered on-street parking spaces and lots will see a rate increase of $0.25 per hour. The rate increases will help fund lot maintenance, infrastructure and resurfacing and are:
- Hourly rate increase from $1.75 to $2 per hour
- Daily maximum parking fee increase from $14 to $18
- Monthly permits increase from $83 to $91 and from $132 to $151
Hourly and daily users can pay their parking fees through the HONK mobile app. Users do not have to download the app but can scan the QR code on parking lot signage to pay for parking. Monthly permit holders will receive a letter outlining their increases, renewal and payment options.
For downtown parking options, visit burlington.ca/downtownparking.
Visitors are encouraged to consider taking Burlington Transit, cycling, walking and leaving their cars at home.
Timing, Impacts and Basis
The City of Burlington periodically review their rates and fees for downtown parking. The last fee increase was 10 years ago in 2014.
Part of the urban experience.
Studies show that with intensification in the downtown core, many lots are approaching capacity. A rate increase will encourage turn over in these lots and help to pay for lot maintenance, infrastructure and resurfacing.
Research on neighbouring municipalities confirmed that these rates are consistent with their parking fees. For example, to park in Downtown Hamilton, user fees range from $3 to $3.25 per hour. To park in Downtown Oakville, user fees are $2 per hour.
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Why are they doing this? Manager, Integrated Mobility Transportation, Kaylan Edgcumbe explains: “Parking spaces in our most popular lots are limited and the lots fill quickly. We are introducing paid parking on Saturdays to help manage the parking and traffic flow. In collaboration with the Downtown Parking Committee, we recognize that visitors come to the downtown, not only for shopping and services, but to access recreational opportunities and enjoy Spencer Smith Park and the waterfront. In order to maintain equitable access to the waterfront and recreational destinations, Saturday paid parking be extended to on-street and “premium” surface lots only. This option aims to balance parking demand by incentivizing use of the free lots for longer-duration stays that are located further away from the Brant Street retail area. We also hope that this encourages downtown visitors to look at other modes of transportation to help reduce greenhouse gases. Less automobile use within the downtown will support a more walkable community and active modes of travel.”
Now the city just has to implement an overnight parking fee in all downtown lots!
That would end the abuse by residents of the condos and apartments taking up parking spaces the businesses, restaurants in particular, need for their customers in the evenings!
Why would anyone moving into a condo/apartment in the downtown need a parking spot with their unit if the city allows them to park for free overnight (and on weekends) and they drive their car to the GO station or to work during the day?
Since there are hardly any stores downtown worth patronizing anymore, and given that any credible business has long ago moved to a facility that offers free parking, they might as well put up the parking rates. Making life difficult for consumers and taxpayers is the one characteristic in which this Council truly excels!
Wish we had an old-fashioned hardware store, although Dollarama is stocking more bits and pieces, it would be great if CTC would open a small downtown store with a heritage ‘Niagra on the Lake’ theme to it, I would pay the extra.
Oh, forgot this: so here we are concerned with cars and their greenhouse gases but at Bateman they’re paving over a track and field for a parking lot. See how the excuses don’t jive, council? More paving also increases flood risk. But the “climate emergency” seems to come and go depending on the project with this council. Deputy Mayor of Environment – anyone home?
How about the council members give up their 7 free parking spots in the Elgin Street lot. Residents could perhaps park there instead when visiting city hall – maybe to pay their exorbitant tax bills, for example.