Paid Parking Program
Paid parking and Canmore Resident Parking Permit parking only zones are in effect in the Town Centre and Quarry Lake. If you have any questions about the program, please see the FAQs below or fill in this inquiry form.
Canmore Resident Parking Permit
Apply for Resident Permit You will be directed to our vendor website (Blinkay) to register
The Canmore Resident Parking Permit allows permit holders to park for up to three hours daily in paid zones (you have to start a parking session every time you park in a paid zone) at both the Town Centre and Quarry Lake. The virtual permit also allows residents to park in all Canmore Resident Parking Permit-only zones around both the Town Centre and Quarry Lake. *Note that current Quarry Lake Permit holders will need to re-apply for the Canmore Resident Parking Permit, as it is a new system.*
To learn more and apply for yours click here. If you do not have an approved Canmore Resident Parking permit, you are required to pay for parking. Failure to pay may result in a violation ticket.
Using Your Canmore Resident Parking Permit in Payment Zones
You need to start a parking session each time you park in a payment zone (note when parking in Canmore Resident Parking Permit only zones, you will NOT have to register your session). You can do this in the following ways:
- Using the Blinkay app or web application
- Using the nearest pay machine
You need to start a parking session each time you park in a payment zone (note when parking in Canmore Resident Parking Permit only zones, you will NOT have to register your session). You can do this in the following ways:
- Using the Blinkay app or web application
- Using the nearest pay machine
Pay Online For Parking Now
Town Centre You will be directed to our vendor website (Blinkay) to pay
Town Centre Program
*Click map to view PDF version*
- Paid parking in effect seven days per week from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- Green areas on map are paid parking:
- Peak season rates (May 15 – Oct.14): $3/hour,
- Low season rates (Oct. 15 – May 14): $2/hour,
- Canmore Resident Parking Permit holders get up to 3 hours free in all paid zones per day (starting a parking session is required each time),
- Monthly parking passes will be available as an add-on option, to those who are eligible for a Canmore Resident Parking Permit. The monthly parking passes would allow all-day parking in the four parking lots shown in green on the map above. Note that monthly passes are not yet available, a timeline will be provided once available.
- Peak season rates (May 1 – Oct. 31): $83/month,
- Low season rates (Nov. 1 – April 30): $41.50/month,
- Blue areas on map are free 9-hour parking,
- Red areas on map are Canmore Resident Parking Permit zones. Parking in these areas is only available to Canmore Resident Parking Permit holders,
- Accessible stalls and loading zones remain free.
Quarry Lake Program
*Click map to view PDF version*
- Paid parking in effect seven days per week during park hours:
- Peak season rates (May 15 – Oct. 14): $10/ two hours,
- Low season rates (Oct. 15 – May 14): $2.50/hour,
- Canmore Resident Parking Permit holders get up to 3 hours free in all paid zones per day,
- Red areas on map are Canmore Resident Parking Permit zones, parking is only available to Canmore Resident Parking Permit holders,
- Accessible stalls remain free.
Pay Your Parking Ticket
To pay your parking ticket or find more information on ticket appeals click here.
Frequently Asked Questions
I registered for my Canmore Resident Parking Permit, do I have to do anything else when parking in a paid zone?
Yes. When parking in a payment zone with your Canmore Resident Parking Permit you must start a new parking session each time, which registers your license plate in the system for a "set" time period. There are two ways you can do this:
- Using the Blinkay app or web application
- Using the nearest pay machine
Click here for a guide about how to use the Blinkay app with your approved Canmore Resident Parking Permit.
- Using the Blinkay app or web application
- Using the nearest pay machine
Click here for a guide about how to use the Blinkay app with your approved Canmore Resident Parking Permit.
When will paid parking start?
Paid parking is in effect now.
Do Canmore Residents have to pay for parking?
Residents of Canmore can get up to three hours of free parking per day in paid zones (starting a new parking session each time is required via Blinkay app or pay machine) in the Town Centre and at Quarry Lake, as long as they have registered for the Canmore Resident Parking Permit. If you do not have an approved Canmore Resident Parking permit, you are required to pay for parking. Failure to pay may result in a violation ticket. For more information click here.
Can other Bow Valley residents apply for the Canmore Resident Parking Permit?
No, a Canmore Resident Parking Permit is not available to other Bow Valley residents.
- Parking is expensive, including costs for land, infrastructure, maintenance, and enforcement. Costs of parking are funded though taxes by residents and business taxes.
- In order to maintain room on our roadways for people who need to and wish to drive, Canmore invests in infrastructure and services to encourage and enable our residents and visitors to walk, cycle, and use local and regional transit.
- Pay-parking allows for a portion of the high costs of parking and transportation infrastructure and services to be shared by those arriving by car.
There are several options for free parking near the Town Centre and lower-priced options at Quarry Lake within the plan, including:
- Over 200 free parking stalls within a short walking distance (5-10 minutes) of the Town Centre. You can view a map of these stalls above.
- Customer parking available in private stalls within the Town Centre, approximately 350 stalls, subject to restrictions.
- Changed hours and rates at Quarry Lake:
- $10/two hours – peak season (May 15 – Oct. 14)
- $2.50/hour – off season (Oct. 15 – May 14)
- Parking is expensive, including costs for land, infrastructure, maintenance, and enforcement. Costs of parking are funded though taxes by residents and business taxes.
- In order to maintain room on our roadways for people who need to and wish to drive, Canmore invests in infrastructure and services to encourage and enable our residents and visitors to walk, cycle, and use local and regional transit.
- Pay-parking allows for a portion of the high costs of parking and transportation infrastructure and services to be shared by those arriving by car.
There are several options for free parking near the Town Centre and lower-priced options at Quarry Lake within the plan, including:
- Over 200 free parking stalls within a short walking distance (5-10 minutes) of the Town Centre. You can view a map of these stalls above.
- Customer parking available in private stalls within the Town Centre, approximately 350 stalls, subject to restrictions.
- Changed hours and rates at Quarry Lake:
- $10/two hours – peak season (May 15 – Oct. 14)
- $2.50/hour – off season (Oct. 15 – May 14)
How will paid parking improve the parking experience in the Town Centre?
The following are some of the ways paid parking will improve the user experience: Ensures prime parking is used for the highest value uses. Ensures parking is available most times on each block face and in each parking lot. Reduces up to 30% of vehicle congestion by significantly reducing time spent hunting for spots. Funds transportation initiatives like fare-free transit. Funds Town Centre enhancements.
Where can I park for free?
Free 9-hour parking will be available in a number of spots within a short walking distance to the Town Centre:
- Approximately 75 spaces in the Elevation Place panhandle – average walking time of less than ten minutes to the Town Centre
- Approximately 100 spaces in the gravel parking area behind Home Hardware on Railway Avenue - average walking time of eight minutes to the Town Centre
- Approximately 100 spaces on Fairholme Drive – average walking time of seven minutes to the Town Centre
- Approximately 75 spaces on 7 Avenue – average walking time of six minutes to the Town Centre
- Approximately 75 spaces in the Elevation Place panhandle – average walking time of less than ten minutes to the Town Centre
- Approximately 100 spaces in the gravel parking area behind Home Hardware on Railway Avenue - average walking time of eight minutes to the Town Centre
- Approximately 100 spaces on Fairholme Drive – average walking time of seven minutes to the Town Centre
- Approximately 75 spaces on 7 Avenue – average walking time of six minutes to the Town Centre
How do I pay for parking?
Payment for parking can be made by smartphone app, virtual pay stations on the web, or by credit card at pay stations. Need assistance? Speak to a friendly parking ambassador or fill out the inquiry form below.
Will accessible parking be free?
Accessible parking is free as long as the vehicle is displaying a valid accessible permit.
Why not just build a parkade?
A parkade would only add roughly an extra 160 stalls to our parking stock, which is not enough during peak periods. The parkade would sit largely empty for seven months of the year and come at a cost of millions to local taxpayers. A parkade would cost approximately $1M/year (annualized) to taxpayers, and a large percentage of taxpayers would not use it. Charging for parking gives those that need it the choice of when and how often they use it, while not putting that cost on the rest of the community.
Where can I learn more about what other parking strategies the Town of Canmore is pursuing?
To learn more about parking management in the Town of Canmore, visit our Integrated Parking Management webpage.
Where can I find a map showing barrier-free parking stalls in the Town of Canmore?
You can find a map showing all barrier-free parking stalls in the Town of Canmore on this webpage.
Questions?
Please fill out this form and a member of our team will get back to you.
