Your Permit and Travelling

Information about Accessible Parking & SPARC BC Permits

SPARC BC welcomes you to British Columbia! SPARC BC is a registered charity and advocates for community accessibility through many activities as well as issuing parking permits for people with disabilities. We are pleased to provide you with services that will help make your visit enjoyable. If you are visiting British Columbia, please note the following information for the use of parking permits (sometimes known as placards, blue badges, decals, disabled parking pass) issued outside of BC...

Can I use my parking permit from another province within Canada?

Yes. All provinces and territories participate in the ECMT Agreement on the reciprocal recognition of parking badges from across Canada. To read more about this agreement click here.

Can I use my parking permit from another country?

Yes, you may use your home parking placard in British Columbia to park in designated disabled parking spaces.

Canada has an official reciprocal agreement with the European Union. Parking permits issued by the officially recognized issuing agencies from any of the provinces and territories in Canada and the countries of the European Union and the US can be used in British Columbia. To read more about this agreement please click here.

Visitors from other regions of the world can also use their parking permits in British Columbia and the rest of Canada, however, as we do not have official agreements with other countries, we advise you to carry a copy of your official documentation from your issuing agency if your parking permit looks very different from the sample found here.

We cannot guarantee all enforcement agencies will recognize your permit from another country is valid, therefore we suggest an alternative which is to consider taking out a temporary permit from SPARC BC.

What do I do if my parking permit is not portable and I cannot bring it with me to British Columbia?

SPARC BC can issue you a temporary parking permit on receiving the proper documentation from the issuing agency in your country of origin. Please bring official documentation with you to demonstrate you are a current and valid permit holder in your home jurisdiction and visit our office, or complete this request form and mail it to 4445 Norfolk Street, Burnaby BC V5G 0A7. How you will receive your permit is explained on the form. There is a processing fee associated with a permit of $20.00.

Where can I park or not park?

Designated parking spaces for people with disabilities are marked out with a signpost that displays the universal symbol of accessibility, or sometimes the symbol is painted on the parking lot space itself.

The Metro Vancouver region is made up of 21 municipalities and each municipality is responsible for providing and enforcing designated parking spots for people with disabilities on city streets. Private parking lots and mall parking are enforced by the business or mall.

The permit only allows you to use the designated parking spot, and you have to follow any rules that exist at your location. Having a parking permit does not entitle you to use parking spots at no cost unless specifically indicated at that location. Generally street parking is metered and in most municipalities you are required to pay the meter rate if you are parking and leaving your vehicle. However, each municipality is in charge of their own bylaws and enforcement so there are slight differences between each municipality. You can view maps of the available parking spots and find out more on municipal regulations by visiting the link(s) below:
Vancouver

How Do I Properly Display My Permit?