City Council is reviewing a wide-ranging set of changes to Kamloops’ parking system, including higher fines, increased on-street rates, extended enforcement hours, and a new flat rate for event parking. The changes are part of a phased Parking Management Plan aimed at improving turnover, fairness, and efficiency across the city’s downtown and North Shore districts.

City staff say the current system has not kept pace with Kamloops’ growth or modern urban planning standards and that outdated infrastructure, inconsistent enforcement, and insufficient pricing have contributed to congestion and underutilized parkades.

The proposed reforms stem from a 2019–2023 parking study and align with Council’s broader strategic goals for governance, infrastructure management, and fiscal responsibility.

Key Proposed Changes

Council is considering the following key adjustments, which would be implemented in phases:

On-Street Parking Rates

• Victoria Street (100–800 blocks):

  • Current: $1.25/hr (first 2 hours), $2.50 (third hour)

  • Proposed: $2.00/hr (first 2 hours), $4.00 (third hour)

• Other downtown streets:

  • Current: $1.25/hr (first 2 hours), $2.50 (third hour)

  • Proposed: $1.50/hr (first 2 hours), $3.00 (third hour)

• Hours of enforcement extended: from 9 a.m.–6 p.m. to 7 a.m.–7 p.m., Monday to Saturday

Parking Fines

• Expired meter/unpaid violations:

  • Current: $40

  • Proposed: $80 (30-day deadline), with reductions for early payment: $50 within 24 hours, $65 within 15 days

  • Late penalty: $50 after 30 days

• Serious infractions (e.g., blocking hydrants):

  • Current: $50

  • Proposed: $100, with early payment reduction to $70 or $85 depending on timeline

Event Parking

A $20 flat rate is proposed for event parking, starting one hour before event doors open. This would apply to:

• Lorne Street lots (adjacent to Sandman Centre)

• Tournament Capital Ranch overnight camping areas

• McArthur Island Sport and Event Centre overnight areas

Accessible parking spots on Lorne Street would remain free for those with valid permits.

Monthly Parking Rates

Surface lot rates would increase to remain competitive with the private market:

• Most City-owned lots currently charging $40–$55/month would rise to $50–$65/month

• Private lot rates in Kamloops range from $47 to $150/month

Boat Launch Parking

New daily fees are proposed for three City-owned boat launches:

• $5 for half day / $10 for full day at McArthur Island, Pioneer Park, and Valleyview

• Overnight parking would be prohibited and enforced by ticketing or towing

Implementation in Phases

Staff propose the changes be implemented in three phases:

Phase 1: Immediate Reforms

• Adjust rates and fines

• Introduce boat launch and event parking fees

• Begin procurement process for new parking technology

Phase 2: Residential Parking Review

• Use Provincial Housing Capacity Building Grant funds to review and update the City’s residential parking permit program

• This step aims to prevent spillover parking from business districts into adjacent neighbourhoods

Phase 3: North Shore Strategy

• Introduce time-limited and paid parking in parts of the North Shore

• Launch residential parking permits in parallel to protect residents from commercial spillover

Council Reactions: Concerns Over Affordability and Practicality

Some Council members voiced concern about the affordability of the proposed event parking rate.

“One of my biggest concerns is going from $4 to $20 for events. That’s a major jump,” said Margot Middleton. “We need to consider families who are already buying tickets for games or shows. A $10 rate would be more reasonable.”

Middleton also questioned whether extending metered parking hours to 7 p.m. was necessary, given that most retail stores are closed and restaurant customers may resist paying for short evening visits. “If someone goes downtown for dinner at 6 p.m., they likely won’t pay for that last hour anyway,” she said. “I think we should consider ending paid parking at 6.”

There were also accessibility concerns raised in relation to the Performing Arts Centre project, which will result in the loss of 60 existing stalls. The mayor emphasized the difficulty seniors may have walking long distances from remote parkades, especially during winter.

Staff acknowledged the feedback but noted that existing parkades and on-street parking are often underused and that accessible stalls near event venues will remain free.

Addressing Misconceptions

To support enforcement, staff noted that the Community Services Division is now fully staffed, which will allow for more consistent enforcement and education. This is expected to improve turnover and compliance, particularly downtown where all-day parkers frequently overstay posted limits.

City staff also noted that current parking machines are outdated and unable to accommodate the proposed changes. New equipment would be procured in conjunction with rate adjustments.

Real-time digital signage for parkades — showing how many stalls are available — was also discussed as a potential improvement. Staff indicated this is under consideration.

Financial and Operational Impacts

The plan is expected to generate approximately $345,000 in additional annual revenue. This would be used to:

• Offset general taxation

• Replenish the underfunded Parking Reserve

No additional staff hires are proposed at this time, although Council was advised that expanded enforcement could require additional resources if demand increases.

Next Steps

Council has been asked to:

• Authorize the use of provincial grant funding to create an implementation plan

• Direct staff to prepare amendments to four bylaws (Traffic, Fees and Charges, Municipal Ticket Information, and Parks and Public Lands)

• Update the 2026–2030 Financial Plan to reflect the proposed changes

A final decision on the recommendations will come at a future Council meeting.