PNE backyard parking is a thing and here's how it works
Credit to Author: Stephanie Ip| Date: Wed, 28 Aug 2019 20:11:48 +0000
If you’ve ever driven to Vancouver’s Pacific National Exhibition, you’ve seen the familiar sight: a person standing on the lawn with a sign proclaiming “PARKING”.
You may wonder if it’s allowed or if it’s safe to park your car in someone’s Hastings Park alley or backyard. Don’t worry – it’s perfectly legal, so long as homeowners abide by city guidelines. But that doesn’t mean every neighbour in the area is happy about the arrangement.
Here’s the low-down backyard parking near the PNE.
Yes but it hasn’t always been that way.
In the past, residents and city officials have clashed over PNE parking woes, with residents hoping to make a quick buck while the massive fair sets up next door. City officials, however, said it was a safety issue with hawkers jumping into the streets to coax motorists.
Things have changed since then and the city of Vancouver now permits Hastings Park residents to sell their parking spaces under certain guidelines but only from mid-August to about early September during the PNE.
First off, street parking cannot be sold. That includes street parking in resident-only zones or permit-holder zones; these spaces are strictly for designated residents and permit holders of that block. Anyone found parking on the street and who is not registered to a residence on that block or permit area will be ticketed.
Residents can sell spots in their carports, lawn and driveways but it must their own private property.
Depending on the width of the property, a resident can sell up to five parking spots. Any more than the permitted limit, however, and the city could be issuing you a $250 fine.
• Under 10 metres – 2 vehicles
• 10 metres to 12.2 metres – 3 vehicles
• 12.2 to 14.5 metres – 4 vehicles
• Over 14.5 metres – 5 vehicles
(The number of vehicles permitted to be parked on your property must include any personal vehicles as well. For example, if your property is 12 metres wide, you could park your own vehicle and then sell two additional spaces.)
As per city guidelines, residents advertising parking spots should either place an online ad or stand on their own property and ask drivers if they need parking.
Residents are not permitted to:
• Block traffic
• Place signs on their property
• Call out to drivers while on a street or sidewalk
• Wave signs on a street, sidewalk or their property
A woman tries to coax drivers into a parking spot in her driveway in east Vancouver, B.C., in this 2008 file photo. (BILL KEAY / PNG)
The PNE does have official fair parking at a lit lot located at Hastings and Windermere, with overflow parking in a lot located off Bridgeway Street. The cost of parking is $15.
Some drivers may prefer not to tackle the gridlock of a massive parking lot or perhaps they’re able to pay for a driveway spot closer to their preferred fair entry gate. Regardless, paying for private residential parking near the PNE has become enough of a tradition that the “PARKING” signs are to be expected anytime fair goers pass by.
The practice of selling PNE parking spots was also sip@postmedia.com
twitter.com/stephanie_ip