TAMRMS#: B06
7.1
REQUEST FOR DECISION
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C-TS-03 Residential Permit Parking Policy Amendments
Presented by: Dean Schick, Manager Transportation, Engineering Services
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RECOMMENDED MOTION(S)
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That Standing Committee of the Whole recommend to Council that the amendments to Council Policy C-TS-03 Residential Permit Parking attached to the May 12, 2026, agenda report entitled “C-TS-03 Residential Permit Parking Policy Amendments” be approved.
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SUMMARY
Residential Permit Parking is a service aligned to the approved Council Policy (C-TS-03), that is provided to help protect St. Albert residents maintain on-street parking near their homes when those homes are located within a specific distance of certain development types that typically generate high demand for on-street parking. With the current development of the City’s Mobility Strategy (expected completion end of Q2 2026), part of the scope was an assessment of the existing City process and policy for Residential Permit Parking. The assessment included an updated review of best practices and considerations of lessons from historic implementation within the city, with an objective to identify opportunities for updates.
This report and its attachments provide an overview of the City’s existing policy and program as they relate to residential permit parking, and shares recommendations for policy updates.
ALIGNMENT TO COUNCIL DIRECTION OR MANDATORY STATUTORY PROVISION
On December 17, 2024, Council passed the following motion:
CM-24-022
“That in consideration of current relaxations of parking requirements in the Land Use Bylaw, Administration review C-TS-03 Residential Permit Parking Policy and provide a recommendation to Council by end of Q1 2026 regarding whether the Policy should be rescinded or updated.”
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
The City of St. Albert Residential Permit Parking Policy (Policy) was approved by Council on November 26, 2018, to establish guiding principles, responsibilities, and the level of service for permit parking in St. Albert. The Policy outlines the purpose of residential permit parking as supporting community residents who live in areas with higher daily demand for on-street parking in proximity to their homes by eliminating non-resident use during specific periods of time. A Residential Permit Parking Process and Guidelines were then developed (2018) to expand upon the Policy by providing a uniform and consistent approach for the initiation, assessment, public engagement, implementation, and evaluation of residential permit parking requests.
The existing Policy and Process / Guidelines were developed by performing a best practice review of other municipalities that offer Residential Permit style programs, as well as considering local context and Council desires, and results from a 2017 conducted Pilot Project that tested permit parking in three (3) locations of the City. Once these reviews and practices were completed, the recommended Policy was presented to Council, and the Guidelines were developed to enact the approved Policy.
This Policy is linked to the City’s Municipal Development Plan (MDP): Fourish, within the Mobility Choices Section for 8.5: Parking. With the Principle to “Implement parking standards that can be adapted to changing needs and do not adversely affect the public realm”; Policy focus 8.5.2 of the MDP seeks to “Develop a Parking Strategy that manages and responds to the changing built environment, including programs such as paid parking, permit systems, and cash-in-lieu of parking.”
Expanding on the Principle and objectives of the MDP, work to develop the Mobility Strategy included scope to review the current practice and results of Residential Permit Parking within St. Albert and to perform an updated review of other applicable agencies that provide Permit Parking as a service. This review, combined with feedback from residents on the current process and program administration experiences, has informed recommendations for Policy and Process updates to the City’s Residential Permit Parking Program.
Key areas of recommendations for change to the Policy and Process align with:
1) Simplify the initiation process and ensure non-punitive associated messaging in early and ongoing engagements with residents.
2) Improve clarity on road segmentation or consideration of applicable areas for consideration of permit parking; specific problem areas may exist along larger segments that may influence results of criteria assessments.
3) Improve management and increase restrictions associated with Temporary or Visitor permits.
4) Revise permit renewal procedures.
Administration has developed updates for discussion during the Standing Committee of the Whole, with a recommendation to approve the Policy changes based upon the above target areas. To aid in review and discussion, the following Attachments are shared that will provide background on the existing service of Permitted Parking and an overview of proposed amendments with rationale:
1) Overview of Current State of Permit Parking
2) Summary of Proposed Policy Amendments
3) C-TS-03 Residential Permit Parking Redline Version.
STAKEHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS OR ENGAGEMENT
No formal public engagement occurred in the drafting of these updates. Comments from historic application of the current Policy and Process were documented and helped inform recommendations.
IMPACTS OF RECOMMENDATION(S)
Financial:
Currently, the Residential Permit Parking program is delivered annually through approved Operating Funding at a cost of $3,000. The program is responsive in nature to resident requests that are confirmed and supported by applicable candidate roadways for the service. The proposed Policy amendments are not anticipated to generate an increase in funding; however, increased or reduced demands could influence the program costs.
Compliance & Legal:
None at this time.
Program or Service:
This is an existing program that is resourced to deliver the service. Proposed Policy amendments are not anticipated to generate an increase or reduction of resources.
Organizational:
None at this time.
Risks
None at this time.
ALIGNMENT TO PRIORITIES IN COUNCIL’S STRATEGIC PLAN
Initiative aligned with Strategic Plan:
Not Applicable
ALIGNMENT TO LEVELS OF SERVICE DELIVERY
N/A
IMPACTS OF ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
ALTERNATIVE 1: Do not approve amendments and maintain policy.
Financial:
Maintaining the existing Policy and not approving the amendments does not result in any adjustments to funding (existing or forecasted), and continued anticipated Operation funding of $3,000 annually to deliver the program would remain consistent.
Compliance & Legal:
Maintaining the existing Policy would not result in any impact at this time.
Program or Service:
Maintaining the existing Policy would not result in any impact at this time.
Organizational:
Maintaining the existing Policy would not result in any impact at this time.
Risks
Maintaining the existing Policy and not approving amendments would not result in any significant impact at this time; although comments received from some resident stakeholders of the program suggest preference for changes.
ALTERNATIVE 2: Terminate the Policy for Residential Permit Parking.
Financial:
Eliminating the Policy would terminate the service provided for Permit Parking and result in a reduction of $3,000 annually to the Operating budget.
Compliance & Legal:
Terminating the Policy and service would not result in any compliance or legal issues, as this is not a mandated municipal service beyond being a service directed by Council.
Program or Service:
Terminating the Policy would terminate the service. Areas of current on-street Permit Parking restrictions would end, and the consideration of the program and service would end. Results would likely be returned to the previous state where specific locations in the City and residents face time of day non-resident parking issues to which Administration would only be able to respond via ensuring regulation of the Traffic Bylaw and lawful parking versus resident to non-resident regulated parking.
Organizational:
Terminating the Policy would not result in any Organizational impacts. The Policy and related service process is delivered by a single lead that provides additional Transportation services.
Risks
Termination of the Policy and service would likely result in unsatisfied resident feedback due to impacts of non-resident parking within proximity to specific homes. As per comments in “Program and Service”, Administration would be limited in response to address such concerns unless parking was occurring in non-compliance with the Traffic Bylaw that would enable enforcement.
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Report Date: May 12, 2026
Author(s): Dean Schick, Transportation Manager
Department: Engineering Services
Department Director: Dawny George
Managing Director: Adryan Slaght
Chief Administrative Officer: William Fletcher