Logo

Parking Concerns & Tickets

Free on-street parking for the temporary parking of vehicles, where provided, is a privilege granted to all road users. To facilitate the safe and efficient movement of emergency vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists and motorists on our public streets, the regulations enacted under Traffic, Parking and Highways Regulation Bylaw 472 restrict vehicles from parking too close to fire hydrants, intersections, crosswalks or driveways. These regulations apply District-wide even when there are no signs and vehicles parked in restricted areas or in a prohibited manner may be subject to a fine and/or towed away. 

  • Parking and commercial vehicle enforcement in Sparwood applies to municipal roads, in commercial, industrial or residential areas. The registered owner of the vehicle is responsible for their vehicle at all times. A parking ticket is the responsibility of the registered owner, regardless of who was driving the vehicle when the ticket was issued.

  • Parking tickets can be paid at District Office, 136 Spruce Avenue, Box 520, Sparwood BC, V0B 2G0, during regular office hours of 8:30 am to 4:00pm. You may pay with cash, cheque, or debit card. Cheques are payable to the District of Sparwood. Please enclose the parking ticket with your payment, or write the parking ticket number or license plate number on the cheque before it is mailed.

  • Once you pay your parking ticket, you can no longer dispute it.

    All disputes must be in writing and must be received within 14 days of the issuance of the ticket. Complete the Notice of Dispute form and submit it:

    • By email to: bleo@sparwood.ca
    • By fax: 250.425.7277
    • By mail: District of Sparwood, Bylaw Enforcement Officer, PO Box 520, Sparwood, BC V0B 2G0
    • In person: 136 Spruce Avenue

    Once received, the form is reviewed by the Director of Corporate Services. This process may take up to 30 days. The ticket may be cancelled at that time due to a technical error or extraordinary circumstances. If the ticket is not cancelled, the disputant has the option of paying the ticket in full or attending Court.

Parking tickets and car impounds

Parking tickets are issued to registered owners of vehicles in violation and any ticketed vehicle may be impounded. While public safety and protection of property are the most important reasons for towing, other reasons might be: 

  • To facilitate snow removal;
  • Demand for the location, such as emergency vehicles;
  • Inconvenience to others (vehicle is obstructing a driveway, private road, garage or parking lot.

Vehicles towed by the District of Sparwood may be claimed at the Public Works Yard, located at 477 Pine Avenue. Contact the District at 250.425.7760 to confirm that your vehicle has been towed by the District.  Prior to getting a vehicle released, you will need to visit the District Office, located at 136 Spruce Avenue, to pay all fines, and towing and impound fees.

More Information on Parking... 

  • Bylaw Enforcement Officers are responsible for ensuring compliance of District bylaws related to parking

    Traffic, Parking and Highways Regulation Bylaw 472 regulates the use (including parking) of all District of Sparwood streets. This Bylaw, in large part, reflects the Province of British Columbia Motor Vehicle Act.

    Although Bylaw Enforcement Officers work primarily on a reactive, complaint-driven, basis, they do periodically patrol municipal streets and may issue tickets for parking infractions such as:

    • Parking contrary to traffic control devices; 
    • Parking continuously in excess of 24 hours unless posted otherwise;
    • Parking a vehicle facing the wrong direction, against the flow of traffic; 
    • Parallel parking too far away from a curb (more than 45 cm);
    • Parking any kind of trailer that is not attached to a motor vehicle; 
    • Parking a vehicle with a gross weight in excess of 5,500 KG, between the hours of 8 pm and 8 am, in a residential zone; or
    • Parking within 6 metres of a lane, stop sign, crosswalk, hydrant, or an entrance or exit to a hotel, playground, fire hall or public meeting place.

    Posted signs notify drivers of some parking regulations. Bylaw enforcement officers also inform motorists on how to park legally.

  • What to remember when parking
    • Vehicles must not obstruct intersections or park within 6 metres of a crosswalk, for visibility;
    • Vehicles must not obstruct driveways, private roads or parking lots;
    • Vehicles must be at least 6 metres from a fire hydrant;
    • Vehicles must not park adjacent to a curb painted yellow;
    • Vehicles must be parked facing the same direction of the traffic flow;
    • Vehicles must leave at least 1 metre between itself and any other vehicle when parallel parking;
    • Vehicles must be at least 15 metres from a railway crossing; and
    • Vehicles parked on the sidewalk or overhanging the sidewalk are a risk to pedestrian safety. A pedestrian may have to enter onto the roadway to pass.
  • How do I report illegal parking?

    To make a complaint about parking issues in your neighbourhood, please email the Bylaw Enforcement Officer at bleo@sparwood.ca, or call 250.425.6820, or go online at Report Problem/Request Service.

    Parking related complaints must include:

    • Address of occurrence;
    • License plate number;
    • Make, model and colour of vehicle;
    • The nature of the problem; and

    • If you are reporting an abandoned vehicle, please indicate how long the vehicle has been parked in that location.

Live & Play
Business Growth
Community Safety
Services for You
Your Government
District of Sparwood
136 Spruce Avenue
Box 520
Sparwood
British Columbia
V0B 2G0
1 250 425 6271
1 250 425 7277
sparwood@sparwood.ca

© 2016 District of Sparwood