Stratford council considering fines for improper use of EV parking spots
Stratford council will soon consider a traffic and parking bylaw amendment that would include a fine of up to $120 for non-electric vehicles parked in electric-vehicle parking spots.
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Drivers of non-electric vehicles who park in electric-vehicle (EV) spaces in the City of Stratford could soon be hit with fines as much as $120.
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Stratford council considering fines for improper use of EV parking spots Back to video
Councillors at last week’s infrastructure, transportation and safety subcommittee meeting recommended that council approve a traffic and parking bylaw amendment to regulate electric vehicles, charging stations and EV parking spaces in Stratford.
Despite the city’s ongoing installation of 22 additional EV parking spaces downtown – set to be completed by January 2025 – the current traffic and parking bylaw “does not address EV charging and parking,” deputy clerk Chris Bantock told the subcommittee.
As part of the proposed amendment, Bantock said the city is seeking to add definitions of electric vehicle, EV charging station and EV parking space. In addition, the amendment includes two new proposed offences – one for non-electric vehicles parking in EV parking spaces, and the other for electric vehicles parking in EV parking spaces without actively charging or being connected to the charging station.
According to Bantock’s report, the city is proposing a fine of $120 – or $100 if paid within seven days – for a non-electric vehicle taking an EV spot, and a fine of $80 –or $60 if paid within seven days – for non-charging electric vehicle in EV spots. Bantock said the proposed penalties were determined after staff looked at fines imposed by other municipalities, including Collingwood, West Perth, Dufferin County, Ottawa, Brampton and Oakville, for similar offences.
“I can see somebody parking downtown, having lunch … going to the theatre and maybe being over time, and I wonder if there’s a way to ease that (fine),” said Coun. Mark Hunter, referring to an electric vehicle parked and charging in an EV parking spot. “I don’t know if there’s a way for the car owner to monitor through an app or whatever whether their car is still charging. I’m wanting to have some flexibility there.”
Bantock confirmed there’s a smartphone app that allows connected drivers to monitor their charging.
While use of EV charging stations in Stratford is currently free, Bantock said staff will soon be bringing forward a report with options around charging-station fees above normal parking fees for council to consider.
“If we do get to a point where we’re looking at a pay structure for the use of these charging stations, I wonder if there’s a way to build the fine into that,” Hunter said. “So lets say the charging stops, you get a 10-minute grace period, but then the meter starts racking up at a higher rate. I don’t know if that’s a capability. I’m just asking the question.”
Should council approve this amendment, the city would need to apply to the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General to establish both proposed offences. The city would also launch a public awareness campaign to educate drivers on the new EV parking rules, Bantock said.
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