A proposed bylaw amendment would allow developers to decide how many off-street parking spots they'd include in a new development in Nanaimo's downtown urban core. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Jordan Davidson

downtown parking

City looking to remove off-street parking minimums for new downtown Nanaimo developments

May 27, 2025 | 10:27 AM

NANAIMO — The City wants to know how residents feel about removing the minimum off-street parking requirements for all new developments in the city’s downtown core.

An amendment to the “Off-Street Parking Regulations Bylaw” was moved to the public hearing stage on Monday, May 27, which would allow developers to decide how many physical parking spots they will include in a new build within Nanaimo’s downtown.

City director of development approvals Jeremy Holm said this could help incentivize development of the downtown even further, with the area already primed with alternative forms of transportation.

“It’s a mobility hub, it’s an area that’s well served by transit and has improving pedestrian and cycling infrastructure. Obviously, much residential density and many uses and services and amenities.”

The areas of Nanaimo’s Downtown Urban Centre. (City of Nanaimo)

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The report said the amendment would represent a strategic step towards aligning Nanaimo’s land use regulations with the City Plan and Integrated Action Plan.

“The downtown area is also an area of the City that’s got a well-developed on-street parking management program,” Holm added. “It has off-street public parking as well to support businesses and visitors in the area.”

This proposed bylaw amendment would be for new developments not currently under construction.

According to the City’s report, it’s unknown at this time if this will affect the planned Downtown transit exchange.

As part of the planned facility, the Province would designate it as a “Transit-Oriented Area”, which would automatically eliminate residential parking minimums within a 400-metre radius of the exchange.

The cash-in-lieu requirement, which allows developers to pay $10,000 per required parking space they don’t provide, would be removed for residential developments in the Downtown Urban Centre if the bylaw changes are adopted.

The City is hoping to have the public hearing in June, but an exact date has not been announced.

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