The City of Peterborough will begin work in 2026 on a new Central Area Parking Strategy aimed at supporting downtown growth while balancing short- and long-term parking needs.
City officials say the strategy is intended to reduce pressure on individual developments to provide extensive on-site long-term parking, while ensuring sufficient short-term spaces remain available to sustain a vibrant and economically healthy core.
The plan will assess current and future parking needs for vehicles and bicycles, including accessible spaces. A consultant retained by the city will provide recommendations on parking space types, including accessible, small vehicle, motorcycle, electric vehicle charging, bicycle and specialized vehicle spaces. The review will also examine commercial, employment and institutional parking requirements within the central area.
In addition, the strategy will evaluate parking operations, including rates, the number and cost of monthly garage passes, and areas where paid parking could be introduced. The city says recommendations will aim to maximize parking revenue without harming economic vitality, while encouraging active transportation and transit use.
Alongside the broader strategy, the city is also moving forward with an On-Street Parking Permit Policy and pilot study.
The proposed permit program is designed to reduce the burden on new developments to accommodate all required parking on a single site. As part of the project, the city will determine the availability of public parking spaces across Peterborough to help shape the policy.
A draft on-street parking permit program and three pilot areas have been presented to city council for consideration.
City officials say feedback from residents, program users and broader public consultation will be collected throughout the pilot phase to inform a permanent program.
Each pilot area will reflect the specific parking needs of its neighbourhood. Limits on the number of permits issued will be included to ensure sufficient short-term parking remains available, in accordance with existing bylaws.
The data gathered through the pilot projects will be used to determine whether a permanent on-street parking permit program should be expanded to other areas of the city.
