Accessible Parking Permit

The City of Saskatoon Accessible Parking Permit sticker must be attached to a current SaskAbilities parking placard, and the placard must be hung from the inside rear-view mirror and be visible from outside the vehicle. The City of Saskatoon Accessible Parking Permit expires every year at the end of October and can be purchased starting October 1. Permit holders are responsible to renew each year. Email us or visit City Hall for more information on how to apply.

The City of Saskatoon has completed its review of the Accessible Parking Permit Program. Objectives of the City of Saskatoon Accessible Parking Permit Program are to provide users with convenience of parking in pay parking zones without having to pay at a pay station. The program strives to provide seamless on-street parking opportunities for motorists with accessibility needs.

A review of the Accessible Parking Permit Program was undertaken to improve the program by aligning needs of users, best practices elsewhere, and to mitigate program risk. Key themes were derived from consultation with users and stakeholder organizations. Based on the consultations, administration has made the following recommendations to enhance accessible parking:

1. Enhanced communication with users – The City will continue to work with SaskAbilities to improve promotion of the program. Users may also sign up to receive emailed renewal notices and information about future changes to the program. More information about the program's benefits will also be provided to users when they purchase a parking permit starting October 1.
2. Fee and time limit change – The review concluded that the existing permit fees and time limits may no longer be appropriate. Two changes were approved for these items:
   1. Increasing permit fees through a phased-in approach
      1. Starting October 1, 2024, permit fees will be $60 annually
      2. Starting October 1, 2025, permit fees will be $100 annually
      3. Rationale - The user fees for the program have not been changed since 1981, when administrative costs were lower and on-street parking rates were $0.50/hour. Both parking rates and administrative costs have increased over time, requiring an increase in the permit fee. This may mean that the program is no longer cost-effective for some users who do not frequently park in paid parking zones.
      4. Users who are residents of Saskatoon and qualify as low income may apply to receive a permit at a 50 per cent discounted rate.
   2. Reducing time limits from 72 hours to four hours
      1. Rationale - On-street parking is a public asset that serves the needs of a variety of user groups. The review concluded that a 4-hour time restriction was more appropriate to meet the intent of on-street parking. The program has historically allowed users to park on the street for up to 72 hours in paid parking areas. During the review, it was generally accepted that 72 hours is excessive in areas with high demand for on-street parking. Paid parking zones are established to encourage vehicle turnover helping to ensure that adequate supply of on-street parking is available for those who need it.

On January 31, 2024, Council approved the recommended changes to the Accessible Parking Permit Program. The changes will go into effect on October 1, 2024. Questions or comments on the forthcoming changes can be emailed to parking.permits@saskatoon.ca.