Parking

Common examples of Parking By-law Infractions include, but are not limited to:

• Parked for more than 24 hours on a road or municipal parking lot.
• Parked within 3 metres of a fire hydrant.
• Within a designated Fire Route.
• Within 9 metres of an intersection.
• Within 9 metres of a crosswalk.
• Within 1 metre of a driveway.
• Parked facing the wrong way.
• Parked in a paid parking space without making a payment.
• Exceeded paid parking limit.

View the complete by-law and amendments.

The Township is allowing exemptions from paid parking under the following terms and conditions:

You are a Residential Property Owner in Centre Wellington. You can apply for up to two exemptions. 

OR

You are a Tenant in Centre Wellington. You can apply for up to two exemptions. 

OR

You are a Commercial Business Owner in the Elora Central Business District. You can apply for up to ten exemptions on behalf of your non-resident employees.

For more information on the Paid Parking Exemption and to register your vehicle, visit our Exemption Registration Page.

If you have received a Penalty Notice for a Parking By-law infraction in Centre Wellington, there are numerous ways to pay your ticket:

• Pay a Parking Ticket online. Please note that there is a convenience charge for this service.
• Pay by Phone: Call 1-888-530-7275. Please note that there is a convenience charge for this service.
• Pay in Person: Payments are accepted in person by cash, debit, VISA or Mastercard at the Municipal Office, 1 MacDonald Square, Elora.
• Pay by Mail
  • Make cheques payable to the "Township of Centre Wellington"
  • Write the number of the infraction on the front of the cheque and mail it to Attn: Parking Tickets, Township of Centre Wellington, 1 Macdonald Square, Elora, ON N0B 1S0
  • Dishonoured cheques will be subject to an administrative fee. Post-dated cheques will not be accepted.

All inquiries concerning parking infractions can be made by email or by calling 519.846.9691 x307.

The municipal parking lots available in Fergus are as follows:

• 145 St David Street- between St Andrew Street West and the Grand River
• 160 Provost Lane- between St Andrew Street West and St Patrick Street West
• 150 St George Street West- The Fergus Curling Club
• 155 St George Street West- Public Parking North Side
• Menzies Lane (Behind Fergus Public Library)
• Queen Street West (Behind Fergus Marketplace)
• 550 Belsyde Avenue East- Centre Wellington Community Sportsplex
• 450 Belsyde Avenue East- The Flannery Drive parking lot
• 330 Millburn Boulevard- The Scott Street parking lot
• 295 Queen Street East- Confederation Park
• 195 Scotland Street- Confederation Park
• 605 Gartshore Street- Forfar Park

The municipal parking lots available in Elora are as follows:

• 1 MacDonald Square- Centre Wellington Civic Centre
• Margaret Street - located west of the Civic Centre, beside Hoffer Park.
• Geddes Street at East Mill Street
• 29 David Street West- The Elora Community Centre
• 25 David Street West- The Elora Curling Club
• 36 Water Street- beside the Elora LCBO
• 66 Patrick Boulevard
• 23 Metcalfe Street- (located immediately north of the Elora LCBO building)
• 25 Metcalfe Street- (located south of the Elora LCBO building and excluding the 30-minute time-restricted parking reserved for LCBO customers).

• Downtown Fergus
• Downtown Elora
• Downtown Elora Paid Parking Zones

Parking complaints can be submitted using the Township's interactive tool.

In order to assist you better, please provide the following information:

• Your name
• Address/location of the apparent parking violation
• Make and Model of the vehicle
• Your email/phone number (in case the investigating Officer requires additional information)

All complainant information shall be protected to the extent the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA) permits and will not be disclosed to anyone unless ordered by a Court or other tribunal. Please note that for privacy reasons, we are unable to provide updates to by-law complaints filed online. 

The Township has electric vehicle charging stations, which are available to the public during facility operating hours at the following Township facilities:

• Municipal Town Hall (1 MacDonald Sq, Elora): 24 hours/7 days per week
• CW Community Sportsplex (550 Belsyde Ave E, Fergus): 24 hours/7 days per week
• Bissel Park (23 Melville St, Elora): 24 hours/7 days per week
• O'Brien Park (3 Clyde St, Elora): 24 hours/7 days per week
• Provost Lane (160 St. Patrick St W, Fergus): 24 hours/7 days per week

Parking spaces assigned to electric vehicle charging stations shall only be used for charging of vehicles. Using these parking spaces without charging your vehicle is a violation of the Township Parking By-law.

Overview

In June 2023, staff retained R.J. Burnside and Associates to develop a Municipal Downtown Parking Strategy. The goal of the strategy, focused specifically on the downtown areas in Elora and Fergus, is to make recommendations related to the location and supply of parking, financial aspects of parking operations, parking standards and policies and an implementation plan that supports the vision for the downtowns to be vibrant, viable, innovative, walkable, and accessible destinations that offer unique opportunities and experiences for all people.

The purpose of the study is to create a comprehensive and forward-thinking parking strategy that will address the challenges and opportunities of parking in Centre Wellington.

Parking plays a crucial role in our everyday lives, whether it's when we're visiting our favourite local shops, exploring the beauty of our natural attractions such as the Elora Gorge, or simply enjoying the sense of community that makes Centre Wellington so special. However, as our Township grows and thrives, so does the demand for parking. The objective of this municipal parking strategy is to develop a well-rounded and sustainable plan that optimizes parking resources, promotes efficient mobility options, and fosters a dynamic and inviting environment for everyone.

The focus of the study was downtown Fergus and downtown Elora.

In September 2024, Council approved the Municipal Downtown Parking Strategy Final Report.  

Based on the Municipal Downtown Parking Strategy Final Report, future parking demand and supply were forecasted for the 2030 and 2041 horizon years.

The existing parking assessment indicated that during the peak hours:

• Elora currently requires more parking supply to meet the existing demand at desirable service levels.
• Fergus currently has sufficient parking supply to meet the existing demand at desirable service levels.

The future parking assessment indicated that in Fergus:

• By 2030, there will remain sufficient supply to meet anticipated demand at desirable service levels.
• By 2041, demand will exceed supply.

A survey was conducted on Connect CW from May 23 to June 24, 2024, seeking residents' preferences regarding paid parking options. It was crucial to inform residents that securing funding for future parking structures or improvements is essential, and the most effective way to obtain this funding would be through the implementation of paid
parking. 684 people filled out the survey. 

When asked if and how paid parking should be implemented in Centre Wellington:

• 451 respondents (66%) answered that Paid Parking should be implemented for visitors only
• 47 respondents (7%) said that Paid Parking should be implemented for all users (residents and visitors), and
• 186 respondents (27%) said that Paid Parking should not be implemented, meaning that maintenance of current parking assets and any additional infrastructure is to be funded by property taxes.

When asked if a multi-level parking structure should be built in Downtown Elora:

• 387 respondents (57%) answered yes, and
• 297 respondents (43%) said no.

When asked if a multi-level parking structure should be built in Downtown Fergus:

•  338 respondents (49%) said yes, and
• 346 respondents (51%) said no.

When asked how revenue should be generated to pay for a parking structure:

• 91 respondents (13%) said property taxes,
• 420 respondents (61%) answered paid parking revenue, and
• 173 respondents (25%) answered unsure.