A residential parking permit is required on a number of residential streets in Nelson, especially near the downtown. Where signage indicates "Resident Only" or similar, a permit is required at all times. Where signage indicates "2-Hour Parking", a parking permit is required to park for longer than two hours between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

The residential parking permit is free of charge for eligible applicants. There is no possibility of obtaining a second permit for the same household; however, a parking permit bearing two different licence plate numbers may be issued so that it can be shared between two vehicles.

Eligibility

As per section 31 of the Traffic Bylaw:

• The permit is exclusively for vehicles registered to that household.
  Are you a member of a local carshare organization? You are now eligible to apply for a permit that may be used with any carshare vehicle. The permit is for your own use only, but is transferable between carshare vehicles. This will allow you to park a carshare vehicle that you are currently renting near your home without the risk of getting a parking ticket, despite the fact that the vehicle is not registered in your name.
• Each permit is only valid for the block designated on the permit, at or near where the resident in question resides.
• Only one may be issued per dwelling unit and only if that dwelling unit has no off-street parking. 
  • Example: if a property has three units and two off-street parking spaces, one permit may be issued to one of the three units.
  • Example: if a property has two units and no off-street parking, one permit may be issued to each of the two units.
  • Example: if a property contains a single-family home with one or more off-street parking spaces, no street parking permit may be issued.

How To Apply

For more information or to apply for a residential parking permit, visit the main level of City Hall between 8.30 a.m. and 4.30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Proof of residency and a copy of each vehicle's ownership are required at the time of application (in the case of a carshare member applying to use the permit with carshare vehicles: proof of current carshare membership, such as a recent monthly bill). Both documents must contain your name and correct address. If neither shows your correct address, you must present either a formal lease agreement, utility bill, or purchase & sale agreement showing the address where the permit is being sought prior to the permit being issued.