6.

Bylaw 18185
A Bylaw to Amend Parking Fines Under the Traffic Bylaw 5590

Recommendation:
That the Community and Public Services Committee recommend to City Council:
That Bylaw 18185 be given the appropriate readings.

Purpose
Bylaw is to increase seven parking fine amounts under Traffic Bylaw 5590.

Readings
This Bylaw is authorized under the Traffic Safety Act and the Municipal Government
Act. A majority vote of City Council on all three readings is required for passage.

If Council wishes to give three readings during a single meeting, then prior to moving
third reading, Council must unanimously agree: That Bylaw 18185 be considered for
third reading.

Position of Administration
Administration supports this Bylaw.

Report Summary
During a review of the Traffic Bylaw, Administration considered factors such as
fine amounts in other municipalities, length of time since last increase, changes
in complaint volumes, non-compliance level, and the inherent goals and values
of a bylaw when establishing fine amounts. It is recommended that fine amounts
for seven parking offences be increased to encourage a higher rate of voluntary
compliance from the public.

Report
The enforcement of parking offences promotes a safe and orderly city by facilitating
traffic flow, compliance to traffic sign restrictions, clear emergency access routes,
ensuring special event traffic safety, and assisting in seasonal road clearing and
maintenance.

In previous amendments of bylaw fine amounts, Council supported the principles of

ensuring fines act as a deterrent; reflect the severity of the offence; and establish a
reasonable and fair punitive amount. Council has considered factors such as fine
amounts in other municipalities, length of time since last increase, changes in

ROUTING - Community and Public Services Committee, City Council | DELEGATION - R. Smyth/R. Pleckaitis
November 6, 2017 Citizen Services CR_5178
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 Bylaw 18185 - A Bylaw to Amend Parking Fines Under the Traffic Bylaw 5590

complaint volumes, non-compliance level, and the inherent goals and values of a
bylaw when establishing fine amounts.

In consideration of the aforementioned, Administration has identified seven existing

parking offence fine amounts that require an increase through this Bylaw amendment
(Attachment 1):

Section 8 - Park Too Close to a Fire Hydrant

This section prohibits the stopping of vehicles within five metres of a fire
hydrant, or when the hydrant is not located at the curb, within five metres from
the point on the curb nearest the fire hydrant.
When vehicles are parked too close to fire hydrants, fire trucks cannot easily
access the hydrant in emergency situations, which can pose significant safety
concerns during an emergency.
A review of other large municipalities revealed that fine amounts for similar
offences are significantly higher, ranging from $68 to $136. Administration is
recommending the fine amount be increased from $50 to $75.

Section 30 Park in a No Park Zone

This section addresses vehicles parking in areas identified by signage where

parking is prohibited. Vehicles parked in these areas can create hazards and
impede the regular flow of traffic.
The number of offences under this section has risen 21 percent from 15,493
offences in 2012 to 18,771 offences in 2016, suggesting that the current fine
amount is not acting as a successful deterrent.
Administration is recommending the fine amount be increased from $75 to
$100.

Section 31 Stop in No Stopping Zone

Vehicles parked in areas where stopping is prohibited impede the regular flow
of traffic during peak traffic hours, creating traffic congestion, increase driver
frustration and the likelihood of accidents. Parking Enforcement Officers deal
with a high volume of these offences annually, addressing 9,211 violations in
2016. Although this fine was last increased in 2012, the number of offences
have continued to rise in the last five years, increasing by 17 percent and
demonstrating the ineffectiveness of the current fine value as a deterrent.
Additionally, officers cannot always rely on tow truck availability to seize
vehicles parked in these areas, as tow truck operators often have to contend
with traffic congestion during rush hour traffic.
The danger associated with heavy congestion, peak hour traffic, and merging
traffic caused by an illegally parked vehicle in a no stopping zone supports a
fine that acts as a deterrent and reflects the severity of the offence.

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 Bylaw 18185 - A Bylaw to Amend Parking Fines Under the Traffic Bylaw 5590

Administration is recommending the fine amount be increased from $75 to

$100.

Section 36 - Seasonal Parking Ban

Section 36 prohibits the parking of vehicles in any location identified as a

seasonal parking ban route.
Vehicles parked along collector routes during a seasonal snow ban can cause
significant challenges for grader operators, and impacts Administrations ability
to effectively remove snow from these roadways. Clearing snow is essential to
ensure public transit can operate efficiently and on schedule during large
snowfalls. Additionally, tow truck availability during inclement weather is
drastically reduced creating challenges to tow vehicles that are parked along a
seasonal parking ban route.
Administration recommends that the fine amount be increased from $50 to
$100. This fine increase is comparable to other municipalities with fine values
ranging from $60 to $150.

Sections 37 and 37.1 Park without a Required Permit and Parking During Major
Events

There are 54 residential communities participating in the restricted residential

parking program, including the communities surrounding Commonwealth
Stadium. In these residential areas, residents and visitors must either display a
valid parking pass on their windshield at all times when on-street parking or
when major stadium events are being held. All other vehicles are unauthorized
to park during restricted parking times and are subject to enforcement action.
In response to resident complaints in 2012, the fine amount was increased, but
offences continue to rise, averaging 8,000 tickets annually for Sections 37 and
37.1 combined. As such, residents continue to express concerns about rising
traffic congestion during major events and seek more stringent penalties..
Based on violation data, the current fine of $75 is insufficient to dissuade some
vehicle operators from parking illegally rather than using the paid Park & Ride
Program or paying for parking in the area in approved commercial locations.
Other comparable municipalities have imposed a fine for this offence ranging
from $68 to $136. Administration is recommending an increase in the fine
amount for both section 37 and 37.1 from $75 to $100.

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 Bylaw 18185 - A Bylaw to Amend Parking Fines Under the Traffic Bylaw 5590

Section 38 - Park Overtime

This offence section limits the duration a vehicle can be parked in time
restricted zones. Enforcement of this section works to encourage the regular
turnover of parked vehicles. This increases the availability of parking spaces
for businesses or institutions, encourages the use of other transportation
modes, and promotes equitable access to parking throughout the City.
Administration has seen the number of overtime parking tickets increase
50 percent from 11,277 in 2012 to 16,945 in 2016. This rise in violations
suggests that the existing fine amount of $50 is ineffective in gaining
compliance.
Comparable municipalities use fine amounts ranging from $68 to $136.
Administration is recommending the fine amount be increased from $50 to $75.

Section 40(1) - Park on Private Property with Public Access

Vehicles parked on private property without authorization negatively impacts

customers, businesses and residents of multi-family complexes. The current
fine amount is not commensurate with the severity of the offence. A fine
increase would reduce parking enforcement service demands and free tow
truck capacity for more high-priority offence incidents.
Comparable municipalities have fine amounts ranging from $68 to $136 for
parking on private property. Administration is recommending the fine amount
be increased from $50 to $100.

For a complete summary of proposed fine changes see Attachment 2.

Municipal Fine Comparisons

An environmental scan of five comparable municipalities revealed that Edmonton is
generally in the lower range of fine amounts for parking offences (Attachment 3).
Many municipalities have been increasing fine amounts to encourage more voluntary
compliance and to reduce the strain on parking enforcement services. The most
notable example is the fine amounts enacted by the City of Toronto in 2016 due to
increased concerns with traffic safety and lack of compliance. Some rates were
increased by as much as 100 percent.

Budget/Financial Implications
The proposed fine changes are estimated to increase revenue by $600,000 which can
primarily go to offsetting increasing program operating expenses of $553,000 for
parking enforcement contracts, new technology support and higher complaint volume
tracking and assignment through 311. A service package will be presented to City
Council during the Fall 2017 Supplemental Operating Budget Adjustment on
November 14, 2017.

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 Bylaw 18185 - A Bylaw to Amend Parking Fines Under the Traffic Bylaw 5590

Corporate Outcomes and Performance Management

Corporate Outcome(s): Goods and Services Move Efficiently

Outcome(s) Measure(s) Result(s) Target(s)

Efficient and Voluntary compliance on Effective Parking Declining trend

Effective parking violations. Enforcement year over year
Service Services ensures on parking
Delivery 5 Year Average Tickets: timely turnover of offences
Section 8 - 6,838 available parking
Section 30 17,572 spaces, reduces 10%, 20%,
Section 31 - 9,658 citizen 30% reduction
Section 36 - 2,871 complaints, and in parking
Sections 37/37.1 - 8,068 improves overall violations over
Section 38 - 15,808 neighbourhood time.
Section 40(1) - 12,853 standards.

Public Engagement
The proposed changes are based on a regular review of the Traffic Bylaw. Public
engagement is not required for this amendment.

Attachments
1. Bylaw 18185
2. Summary of Proposed Fine Changes
3. Summary of Traffic Bylaw Fines for Comparable Municipalities

Others Reviewing this Report

T. Burge, Chief Financial Officer and Deputy City Manager, Financial and
Corporate Services
D. Jones, Deputy City Manager, City Operations

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