← Parking · All issues

Is paid parking coming to downtown Squamish?

A 2023 study found downtown's core close to full at peak times and suggested paid parking. Council chose instead to test paid parking at Darrell Bay only, and locals pay too after council dropped the resident pass. The pilot runs to the end of 2026, and staff report back in early 2027 on whether to expand paid parking downtown.

📍 Downtown📍 South Squamish

Where it stands step 4 of 6

  1. Downtown parking study October 3, 2023
    Council received the study and asked for a phased plan including paid parking. [source]
  2. Public survey March 11, 2025
    Over 2,600 people responded. [source]
  3. Darrell Bay pilot approved April 1, 2025
    Council approved a pilot at Darrell Bay until the end of 2026. [source]
  4. Pilot runs
    $3 an hour, up to $10 a day in peak months. [source]
  5. Staff evaluation to council
    Due early 2027. [source]
  6. Decision on downtown paid parking
    Possible next phases include downtown and other tourist spots. [source]

What happens next: Early in 2027 the new council gets the Darrell Bay evaluation and decides whether, and where, to expand paid parking, including downtown.

How this council has voted on it

The new council hasn’t voted on this yet. Every vote on it will appear here.

What each of them said during the campaign

“Paid parking downtown is a fair way to manage demand for spaces.”

“Downtown Squamish needs more public parking, and the District should get it built.”

“New buildings should have to provide enough parking for the people who live there, instead of being approved with less.”

“If Squamish brings in paid parking, residents should park free and only visitors should pay.”

Earlier history (before this council)
  • April 1, 2025: Council approved the Darrell Bay paid parking pilot to the end of 2026, with an evaluation in early 2027. (Councillor Pettingill opposed) [source]
  • March 11, 2025: In committee, council removed the resident pass from the pilot, so residents pay too. (Mayor Hurford and Councillor Greenlaw opposed removing it) [source]
  • December 17, 2024: Council told staff to prioritize a paid parking pilot at tourism spots as early as summer 2025. [source]
  • October 3, 2023: Council received the 2023 Downtown Parking Study and asked for a phased plan that includes on-street paid parking. [source]

Have your say

The swearing in meeting is ceremonial. There is no question period and no letters on the agenda. To raise something with the new council, write to council@squamish.ca after November 3. Letters sent before then go to the outgoing council.

Watch. Live and afterward on the District’s YouTube channel.