City of Vancouver launches new parking ticket pilot in 4 busy areas

The city is expanding its use of licence plate cameras to issue parking tickets in some neighbourhoods.

If you break parking rules in four areas with residential permits, you might get a ticket in the mail as the City of Vancouver launches a pilot program.

The city says it is expanding its use of licence plate recognition cameras to issue tickets instead of a staff member placing them on vehicles.

The pilot is running near the Commercial-Broadway, Joyce and Oakridge SkyTrain stations, as well as along Commercial Drive.

The city says it chose the four zones because they are near transit hubs and see frequent non-compliance with parking regulations.

“Parking regulations support parking space turnover and help maintain a safe and smooth flow of traffic throughout Vancouver,” reads a news release from the city. “This pilot has the potential to increase compliance, ultimately leading to greater parking availability, improved operational efficiency and enhanced staff safety.”

Licence plate recognition cameras and mailed tickets may expand to other parts of the city, depending on the results.

The city already mails parking tickets to the vehicle owner in certain circumstances, such as if the ticket was removed from the vehicle, it was unsafe for an officer to serve the ticket, or the vehicle left before the ticket could be place.

The tickets are mailed through Canada Post and the city reminded residents it will never use text, email or QR codes to inform drivers of parking tickets or ask for payment.