Parking Management Strategy
The Town of Yarmouth has started a Parking Management Strategy as a result of the Town’s Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) Action Plan. WSP Canada Inc. (WSP) has been retained to assist the Town with undertaking this work.
The Town of Yarmouth serves as a regional housing and service hub for southwestern Nova Scotia. The Parking Management Strategy aims to improve efficiency, accessibility, and sustainability of parking in Yarmouth to support new and existing housing, local businesses, residents, and visitors.
The Parking Management Strategy will:
- Assess supply, demand, and utilization of public parking
- Determine parking needs and patterns in residential and commercial areas
- Review current management practices, policies, and bylaws associated with parking
- Develop a framework that prioritizes users and makes efficient use of land
- Enable additional housing and support walkability and sustainability
Providing space for parking, particularly in downtowns, is a balancing act. Too little parking and both shoppers and workers driving to downtown will be inconvenienced. Too much parking occupies land that could be better used for other things and breaks up the continuity of the downtown. Adding more housing opportunities within the town and downtown, in particular, can be hindered by the cost and space required for on-site parking. Innovative approaches to managing parking demand and needs can enhance housing opportunities.
We Want Your Feedback on Parking!
The Town of Yarmouth is looking at ways to improve parking. This short survey will help us understand your experiences with parking in town, near your home, downtown, and with signage and maintenance. Your feedback will help guide future parking improvements. The survey will be open until August 25th, 2025
Scan the QR code or visit: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TOY-PMS
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Town of Yarmouth Developing Parking Management Strategy
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The strategy is being carried out by WSP Canada Inc. as a key component of the Town’s Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) Action Plan
Thursday, July 31st, 2025 - Yarmouth, N.S.—The Town of Yarmouth is undergoing a comprehensive Parking Management Strategy, being carried out by WSP Canada Inc. This parking management strategy is a key component of the Council-approved Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) Action Plan to support new housing in our community.
A key objective of the strategy is the review of parking minimums for residential infill development. It will also consider residential permitting systems, optimization techniques, demand management strategies, and winter road maintenance requirements. This approach is crucial for supporting other housing projects, including accessory dwelling units, converted office spaces, affordable housing, and multi-unit dwellings.
“Our government is committed to giving local governments the support they need to drive housing supply and bring down housing costs. More than 200 municipalities across Canada are making changes that will cut red tape and fast-track housing and Yarmouth is one of them. It’s an example of what’s possible when governments work together. It’s also another step forward in our bold, ambitious plan to build Canada strong.“ – Jessica Fancy, Member of Parliament for South Shore—St. Margarets.
“The work being done through this Strategy will simplify parking under key conditions which will support more development of housing, which we can all agree is needed and welcome here in the Town of Yarmouth.”– Mayor Pam Mood
An online public survey is available for residents and businesses to complete and provide feedback. Responses received will help develop an understanding of experiences with parking in town, near people's homes, downtown, and with signage and maintenance. The survey can be accessed at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TOY-PMS (or via the QR code attached)
The strategy is an initiative funded by the Government of Canada and its Housing Accelerator Fund. To learn more about the fund, as well as the town’s Action Plan, please visit https://www.townofyarmouth.ca/housing-accelerator-fund.html