101: Basic Requirements for Canadian Parking Facilities

Originally Posted: Sept, 23, 2020 Updated On: Apr, 14, 2025 • 3 min read

Autocad drawing of a parking lot

Parking facilities must adhere to certain standards to ensure they provide a convenient and safe parking experience for visitors. When these standards are achieved, it’ll allow you, as a parking facility owner or manager, to successfully manage and maintain you parking operations.

Below are seven requirements for successful parking facilities in Canada:

1. Signage 

Wayfinding, safety and instructional signage are important components to create a safe and seamless parking experience. Parking signage should feature:

  • Parking rates are visible at the parking lot entry, exit, and all payment points 

  • Clearly identified pay stations throughout the parking facility

  • Key information such as hours of operations, customer responsibilities and regulations

  • Clearly marked parking stalls (i.e. accessible, visitors, and client-designated stalls) 

  • Height restrictions and all other prohibitions visible at the point of entry, exit, and wherever necessary around the facility

  • Wayfinding strategically placed around the facility to help guide customers to their destinations

  • Safety signage to mitigate risk and liability

2. Lighting 

Sufficient lighting creates a safe environment and allows visitors to navigate your parking facility easily. Lighting should:

  • Be positioned safely and appropriately to illuminate all areas and pathways in the facility

  • Be maintained by certified electricians

  • Ideally be LED for sustainable practices

 3. Safety 

As a parking manager, prioritizing safety in your parking facility is important to minimize risk and protect both you and your customers. This includes:

  • Regular safety audits to ensure all aspects, including surface conditions, lighting, signage, traffic control and parking equipment are frequently inspected and well-maintained

  • Vehicle pathways that meet the minimum dimensions of the bylaw standards

  • Designated vehicle and pedestrian pathways are clear of any possible obstructions

  • Clearly marked designated stalls that adhere to bylaws standards (i.e. accessible parking)

  • Providing emergency assistance stations 

  • Surveillance, which connects your parking facility to a live central monitoring centre

  • Installing safety signage, including speed limits, pedestrian crossings, emergency exits, and accessible parking

4. Enforcement

Parking enforcement is crucial to safeguard your parking facility and ensure that only authorized vehicles are permitted access. Your parking enforcement services should:

  • Feature clear signage that displays enforcement and facility regulations, such as rates, hours, prohibited and designated parking spots, and consequences for non-compliance

  • Be scheduled regularly 

  • Utilize cloud-based enforcement technology for real-time data and accuracy 

  • Regularly train enforcement officers on existing bylaws, legislation, rates, and compliance procedures

  • Have an established appeal and adjudication handling process that addresses staff and system errors

5. On-site Parking Attendants

On-site parking attendants are the eyes and ears of your parking operation, effectively addressing operational needs and providing customer service to mitigate risks that arise. On-site parking attendants should:

  • Be trained on and knowledgeable about existing rules, regulations, rates, compliance procedures, and technology and equipment used at the facility

  • Use clear and diverse communication methods to service all visitors

  • Wear professional uniforms to ensure they can be easily identified 

6. Ongoing Maintenance

A well-maintained parking facility is key to protecting your property and the safety of your customers. This can include:

  • Regular parking equipment maintenance, ensuring safe customer interactions

  • Sign maintenance to ensure regulations and safety measures are enforced 

  • Clear parking space lines to ensure visibility and maximum capacity

  • Seasonal snow removal and de-icing for obstruction-free walkways and parking stalls

  • Ongoing concrete and facility infrastructure maintenance

  • Asphalt repair for safe parking and walking conditions

  • Regular cleaning and waste removal to maintain a clean and attractive facility

  • Landscaping services (for outdoor facilities) for positive impressions

  • Seasonal power washing and sweeping to remove debris build up

  • Lighting and surveillance electrical checks, updates, and replacements

7. Accessibility Requirements

Accessibility continues to be a key consideration to ensure safer and easier parking experiences for all. Integrating accessible parking into your facility can eliminate barriers and provide equal access for all visitors. It is important to be aware of and comply with the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) Group accessibility standards and other local regulations. Accessibility standards can include:

·      Designated accessible parking stalls with the required quantity, size, and location

·      Accessible parking equipment including touch screens, shift-screen displays, easy-to-use interfaces, height controls, assistive listening systems, braille instructions, glare-free surfaces, high-colour contrast, bright illumination levels, and contactless payment options

·      Parking signage and wayfinding with high-contrast colour, standardized symbols, and optimal size and placement to ensure visibility

·      Well-maintained parking facility to create a barrier-free path

 By implementing these seven essential requirements, parking facility managers in Canada can deliver seamless and safe parking experiences for all visitors. Adhering to these standards ensures optimized operations and enhanced overall customer experience.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Headshot of Bosco Tse, Client Relations Manager, Precise ParkLink

Bosco Tse
Client Relations Manager

In his twelve years in the parking industry, Bosco has earned the respect of his colleagues and clients alike by being a valuable and dependable resource to address their needs. In his current role at Precise ParkLink, he supports his clients in all aspects of their parking operations, including cost budgeting, financial analysis, project management, implementation, and scheduling. As a believer in continual self-improvement, and demonstrating his willingness to challenge himself to serve his clients better, Bosco recently earned his project management certificate from Ryerson University, and is currently working toward his PMP designation.

 

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