Calgary city council to review changes to residential parking fees after public outcry
Global News
Ward 8 Coun. Courtney Walcott said some Calgarians living in apartments and condos are left out of the motion to make changes to the city's residential parking permit program.
Amid growing public pushback, a group of city councillors is looking to pump the brakes on incoming changes to Calgary’s residential parking permit program.
The changes, set to come into effect on Aug. 1, introduce fees for residential parking permits that could cost some Calgary homeowners with three vehicles up to $250 every year.
Under the new annual fee structure, the first permit would cost $50, $75 for the second permit and $125 for the third at a single address, with two visitor passes offered at $75 each per year.
Previously, those permits and visitor permits were free, with the third residential permit costing residents $108.90.
A motion from Ward 10 Coun. Andre Chabot, co-signed by nine other councillors, aims to remove the charge for the first permit linked to an address where a residential parking permit is required.
“I do think that everyone should be entitled to at least one spot in front of their homes, regardless of whether you live in the inner city or in the suburbs,” Chabot told reporters Tuesday.
The motion also asks administration to report back during budget deliberations with an updated fee schedule to “support the transition to full user pay of the program.”