Visitors at Vancouver City Hall now need to pay for parking

Visitors to the Vancouver City Hall will now have to pay to park. It’s the city’s latest efforts to reduce congestion and increase efficiency for people conducting business at the city hall.

The change will take effect at the West 12th Avenue and Cambie Street surface parking lot.

This pay parking regulation takes effect on September 3, where visitors will have to pay $2 an hour to park. Parking is limited to two hours from 8:30 am to 5 pm, on weekdays.

For those who are there to speak at City Council meetings will be able to extend their parking and park for longer outside of the business hours. After hours, parking time can be extended.

On Council days, registered speakers can request a pass from City Hall security that will allow them to park longer; the $2 hourly rate still applies.

The surface parking lot had previously been free but it “has been difficult to enforce,” according to the City’s press release.

Aside from the surface parking lot at City Hall, there are nearby parking lots, metered street parking, and limited two-hour free parking in surrounding areas.

Parking meters will be installed before September 3 and Easy Park will issue warnings between August 26 and September 2 to raise awareness about these new parking restrictions.