Parking Information

Parking Enforcement on Granville Island

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) manages Granville Island on behalf of the Government of Canada, this includes the enforcement of parking and traffic management under the law of trespass (or in certain circumstances the law of contract) or the Government Property Traffic Act. 

Keeping with Granville Island’s unique feel, the parking system is significantly different from any other neighbourhood in Vancouver.  Some of the most notable differences are the parking stall indicators, a mix of traditional yellow lines and untraditional yellow dots.  Also all parking and traffic related signage are international standard pictographs. Please keep in mind that all regulations are strictly enforced.

Please note that it is the motorist’s responsibility to properly park their vehicle.  If you are unsure or believe the signage to be unclear, you should move your vehicle to a clearly marked stall.

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (C.M.H.C) accepts no responsibility for loss, theft or damage to vehicles or contents.  CMHC does not take custody of vehicles, but does rent space only.

There is a mix of paid and free parking on Granville Island. Below you will find all relevant information to parking and traffic management.

FREE PARKING STALLS

Free parking spaces are available and vehicles are limited to one stall per day, for any amount of time (1 minute to 180 minutes) depending on designated area. When the posted time limit is reached your vehicle may be moved to a pay parking stall.

Free Parking restrictions are strictly enforced from 7 am to 7 pm, 7 days a week. 

Free parking is not cumulative and is effective once your car is parked up to a maximum of 3 hours. Note: The vehicle cannot be moved to another designated free stall on Granville Island

For people with disabilities there are a number of designated, clearly marked parking stalls throughout Granville Island.  
PAID PARKING STALLS

There are 5 pay parking lots on Granville Island (click to see map)

Pay parking restrictions are strictly enforced from 7 am to 7 pm, 7 days a week. 

Current Parking Rates
1 hrs                   $3.50
2hrs                    $6.50
3hrs                    $9.50
4hrs                    $12.50
Day                    $15.00
Week                  $80.00
Month                 $158.00*

*Monthly parking is limited and available on a first come first serve basis sold on the first of every month. Passes are available at the Granville Island Administration Office. 

A parking pass entitles a vehicle to be parked in a designated parking stall while it is clearly displayed. If the pass is not clearly displayed it is void. Even with a valid parking pass, parkers must adhere to all parking regulations on Granville Island.

CMHC reserves the right to void any parking pass without notice if the vehicle is in breach of Granville Island parking rules and regulations. 

Lost passes cannot be replaced.

Day Parking
Pass is valid for 24 hours from the purchase time. The pass is VOID if not placed face up with the date visible. VOID if not parked in a pay parking lot. Vehicles not displaying a valid pass may be ticketed or towed at the owner’s expense.  If you purchase the pass from the Administration Office it is only valid for the date stamped and NOT for 24 hours.

Week Parking
Pass is valid for 7 days from the purchase time. The pass is VOID if not placed face up with the date visible. VOID if not parked in a pay parking lot. Vehicles not displaying a valid pass may be ticketed or towed at the owner’s expense.

Month Parking
Passes are only available from the Granville Island Administration Office from 8:30 am to 5pm Monday to Friday. There is a limited quantity sold on a first come first serve basis on the first of every month. The passes are valid until the 5th day of the following month. The pass is VOID if not displayed with date and pass number visible and VOID if not parked in a pay parking lot. Vehicles not displaying a valid pass may be ticketed or towed at the owner’s expense.

Note: Monthly pass holders MUST park in:

1. Building #35 on Anderson (2)
   
2. Old Bridge Street (3)
   
3. Emily Carr Parkade (4)
4. Lot 73 on Cartwright Street (5)
   

Pass holders outside of these lots may be ticketed and towed at the owner’s expense. 

Parking Metres

The metres on Granville Island can be found in all the paid parking lots. They accept Visa, Mastercard, and coins. The machines do not give change so be sure to have the appropriate change available prior to purchasing a pass.

Although rare, the parking machines may malfunction. Please call the number on the machine to report any issues.

You should not park in a lot with a malfunctioning meter; vehicles in pay lots not displaying a valid parking pass are subject to ticketing and towing.

Bus Parking
Bus parking and pick up and drop off is available free of charge in Parking Lot 73 on Cartwright Street (outdoor lot, south-east corner).

Bus parking for people with disabilities is free of charge and located at the north end of Johnston Street and Anderson, near the Public Market.

Parking Violation Notice

Free parking spaces are available; vehicles are limited to one stall per day, for any amount of time up to a maximum of 1 or 3 hours depending on designated area.  A vehicle can be parked free on Granville Island once a day.  For longer parking needs, move your vehicle to a pay lot. If you park, but do not display a valid ticket or pass, do not pay for parking or are parked improperly or contrary to the posted rules your car may be towed and held for storage fees. Vehicles are impounded to Buster’s Towing at 104 East 1st Avenue, Vancouver, BC. Phone: 604.685.8181.

If you park on Granville Island in violation of these conditions, you agree to pay a violation fee of $27.00 or $48.00. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s (CMHC) legal authority to claim the amount listed on the parking violation notice or to tow an improperly parked vehicle arises from the law of trespass (or in certain circumstances, under the law of contract) or the Government Property Traffic Act. If the required payment is not made within the stated time limit, legal action may be taken to recover the amount owing, together with costs incurred.  Vehicles parked on Granville Island with outstanding fines owed to CMHC are in contravention of parking rules and regulations and may be impounded.

Note: Once a Parking Violation Notice has been paid it can no longer be disputed.

To pay a parking violation notice

The parking violation notice must accompany your payment to ensure proper processing.
Make cheques payable to: Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)
By fax: 604.666.4937
By mail or in person:
CMHC - Granville Island Administration
1661 Duranleau Street, 2nd Floor
Vancouver, BC
V6H 3S3

Office hours are Monday to Friday – 8:30 am to 5:00 pm

To appeal a parking violation notice

Appeals must be made in WRITING.
Appeals made after 7 days will not be accepted.
All back up must accompany original appeal.
Appeals can be sent via: email:  parking@granvilleisland.com or Fax: 604.666.4937

Appeals are generally resolved in 7 days; it is the motorist’s responsibility to follow up on the status of their appeal. If your appeal is not approved you have 5 days to pay the $27.00 fine before it escalates to $48.00.

Please remember that the Parking and Traffic Management is as unique as Granville Island itself and it is the motorist’s responsibility to adhere to all the rules and regulations. The best way to avoid a parking violation is to be certain that your vehicle is properly parked.