Parking

On Monday, May 26th Council approved a Paid parking Program in Elora, to be implemented in Fall, 2025.  Before its rollout, a comprehensive communications plan will be launched to ensure residents and business owners are well informed and prepared. Residents of Centre Wellington will not be required to pay for parking, provided they register their license plates in advance. 

Program Overview:
The Paid Parking Program will include two distinct parking zones:

• Zone 1: Paid parking with high turnover (3-hour time limit).
• Zone 2: Paid parking for longer-term parking (current by-law: up to 24 hours).

Additional Features:

Free Resident Parking:

• Before the program is launched in the Fall, Centre Wellington residents may register their license plates for free parking (limits being investigated regarding the number of license plates per household).
• Residents would be exempt from paying for parking in Zones 1 and 2 however, they will still be required to adhere to the Highway Traffic Act and Parking By-law regarding time restrictions, etc. Otherwise, tickets will be provided.
  

Hourly Parking Fees:

• While differing parking prices for Zones were contemplated, staff's recommendation is to have a consistent charge of $3.00 per hour, with a daily maximum in Zone 2 of $15.00 (half of the 10 hours that paid parking is being enforced daily).
• Paid parking would be in effect seven days a week from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM.

*Please note, these parking rates are recomendations at this time, and will be verified when paid parking is fully implemented.   

Parking Permits:

• Non-residents regularly accessing Elora downtown would have the opportunity to purchase a parking permit for longer time frames. Staff are investigating pricing (current recommendation is to charge $125 monthly for this permit). Permit holders are not guaranteed a parking space (first come first served).

Future phases (i.e. Fergus paid parking and/or amendments to Elora) will be reassessed at a later date, informed by the results of Phase 1 and further consultation with downtown businesses and the BIAs. 

Parking Enforcement

• The current year-round Parking Enforcement Program will continue, as approved by Council.
• 3-hour time restricted parking will be enforced in downtown Fergus as outlined in the map.  The 3-hour area was expanded slightly on St. Andrew Street East, east of Gowrie Street.  

Background:

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 residentsthat 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.

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 favorite 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 Muncipal Downtown Parking Strategy Final Report.  

The permit holder must be either a passenger or driver of the vehicle using the accessible parking space. Only the person named on the permit can use an accessible parking space. If you use the permit without the permit holder in the vehicle, you could be fined up to $5,000 and the permit may be seized.

When to return a permit

The accessible parking permit must be returned to ServiceOntario within 30 days when the:

• person named on the permit is deceased
• permit holder is no longer a person with an eligible health condition
• permit contains incorrect information
• permit has been cancelled

Return a permit by mail to:

ServiceOntario

Accessible Parking Permit Services Office

P.O. Box 9800

Kingston ON  K7L 5N8

Return a permit in person at a ServiceOntario Centre: www.ontario.ca/locations/serviceontario

For issues related to the blocking of driveways, please advise residents to contact the O.P.P, otherwise, general parking concerns can be forwarded to 1-877-764-6431

In the downtown areas of Elora and Fergus, a 3-hour parking program has been implemented. 

In the parking maps below, you will find where the 3-hour zones are located, as well as where public parking lots are located:

• Downtown Fergus
• Downtown Elora

If you have a parking complaint in the 3-hour parking enforcement area of Elora and Fergus, please call 519-846-9691 x307. If you are calling to report a parking infraction, please call 1-877-764-6431.

When will parking enforcement in the downtowns begin?

Parking Enforcement in the downtown cores of Elora and Fergus is maintained year-round.

What days and hours will be enforced?

3-hour parking will be enforced 7 days per week between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. (subject to change).

Who will enforce the 3-hour parking restrictions?

The ParkSmart-Alpha Enforcement Team has been retained to provide parking enforcement services within the downtown core areas through December 2025.

What if I work or live in the Downtown?

There are several parking lots located in Downtown Elora and Fergus available for longer-term parking.

There are numerous municipal parking lots available in both Fergus and Elora.

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 (Behinf 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).

Parking is available on all streets within the Township. Please obey No Parking signs where applicable. In the winter months, on-street parking is prohibited between the hours of 2 AM and 6 AM. Please view the Winter Parking tab on this page for more information.

For information on on-street parking in downtown Elora and Fergus, please see the "Downtown Parking (Elora and Fergus)" drop-down menu.

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
• Within 3 metres of a fire hydrant measured from the curb/edge of highway
• Within a designated Fire Route
• On or overhanging any curb, boulevard, or sidewalk
• Within 9 metres of an intersection
• Within 9 metres of a crosswalk
• Within 1 metre of a driveway
• In an accessible parking space, unless you have an Ontario Accessible Parking Permit displayed on the dashboard of the vehicle
• Parked facing the wrong way

The complete by-law and amendments can be found on our By-law page.

Pay Online

Pay a Parking Ticket online. 
There is a convenience charge for this service.

Pay by Phone

Call 1.888.530.7275  
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 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 inquires concerning parking infractions can be made by email or by calling 519.846.9691 x307.

The Township actively enforces the Traffic and Parking By-Laws, and Winter Parking Ban to ensure order and safety for vehicles, pedestrians and residents.  The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) enforces this under the Hwy Traffic Act, and vehicles will be ticketed, and or towed at the owner's expense.

Lower Driveway Apron Parking

The Township Parking By-Law prohibits parking on streets between 2:00 am – 6:00 am from November 1 – March 31 for snow clearance.

Vehicles are permitted to be parked on the paved portion of the lower driveway apron, provided the vehicles comply with certain conditions. However, to maintain safe sight lines for drivers and to not interfere with winter operations, the vehicle must be at least 1.5 meters back from the sidewalk and at least 1.5 meters back from the roadway.

Vehicles that are not parked in accordance with the following conditions are subject to being ticketed and towed. 

When you park on the lower driveway apron, you must follow these regulations:

• Vehicles must be on the paved, driveway portion of the lower driveway apron, not the landscaped (or hardscaped) portion of the lower driveway apron;
• Vehicles may not access the paved portion of the lower driveway apron by driving over the landscaped or hardscaped portions of the lower driveway apron;
• All of the vehicle's tires must be on the paved, hard-surface of the lower driveway apron;
• There can be no overhang of any part of the vehicle onto the sidewalk so as to impede pedestrian traffic or onto the roadway so as to obstruct vehicular traffic;
• Vehicles parked parallel to the road must be facing the direction of travel.

When you cannot park on the Lower Driveway Apron

• if your driveway is connected to your neighbour’s driveway, do not park your vehicle in a way that crosses the property line
• do not park on the lower driveway apron if your driveway is within 15 metres of an intersection

The  illustrations below provide an example of how to park legally on the lower driveway apron and an example of when tickets might be issued.

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
• Within 3 metres of a fire hydrant measured from the curb/edge of highway
• Within a designated Fire Route
• On or overhanging any curb, boulevard, or sidewalk
• Within 9 metres of an intersection
• Within 9 metres of a crosswalk
• Within 1 metre of a driveway
• In an accessible parking space, unless you have an Ontario Accessible Parking Permit displayed on the dashboard of the vehicle
• Parked facing the wrong way
• The complete by-law and amendments can be found on our By-law page.

If you have any questions about how to legally park on a lower driveway apron, or about winter parking, please visit our By-law page or email parking@centrewellington.ca