Understand the City of Abbotsford parking regulations on city roads and avoid getting a ticket. Parking regulations help keep on-street parking available for everyone and ensures the safe and efficient movement of pedestrians, cyclists, public transit and motorists in Abbotsford.
Traffic Control Device is used throughout the Street & Traffic Bylaw and is defined as stop sign, signal, line, meter, marking, space, barrier, or device, placed, painted or erected to guide, regulate, warn, direct, restrict or prohibit traffic.
The information below is considered a general overview only. If any information differs from city bylaws, the BC Motor Vehicle Act and Abbotsford's Street & Traffic Bylaw shall take precedence.
Parking Without Sign Regulations
Parking regulations may be in effect whether or not there is a sign. Learn how to avoid a ticket.
Parking is not allowed on a crosswalk or within 6 metres of the approach side of a Crosswalk.
Parking is not allowed in front of or within 1.5 metres of either side of a public or private driveway.
Walkways are paths for the sole use of pedestrians.
No person shall stop a vehicle on a sidewalk or boulevard or on the paved surface to the right of a double solid white line.
An intersection is where 2 roads meet. This includes roads, streets, and highways. A vehicle cannot park within 6 metres of the approach side to any flashing beacon, stop sign or traffic control signal located at the side of a roadway.
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Vehicles are not allowed to park within 5 metres of a fire hydrant, measured from a point in the curb or edge of the roadway closest to the fire hydrant.
Vehicles in cul-de-sacs must park parallel to the roadway. "Nose-in" or angle parking is not permitted:
Vehicles in cul-de-sacs that park at an angle reduce the turnaround area available for vehicles. Emergency vehicles and garbage trucks may not be able to access houses in cul-de-sacs if vehicles are parked at an angle, as they require a much larger turn radius than most passenger vehicles.
Vehicles must also be parked a minimum of 1.5 metres away from a driveway. As a result, many cul-de-sacs are not designed to allow street parking.
If the roadway is less than 6.1 m or less in width, parking is not permitted on the paved portion.
Some back lanes have signage indicating parking not permitted because these back lanes are not wide enough to permit parking and still allow traffic flow.
If there is no sign, and the roadway is no less than 6.1 metres, parking may be permitted provided it does not impact visibility or passage of pedestrians, vehicles, and garbage trucks.
A sidewalk is defined as the area between the curb lines or lateral lines of a roadway and the adjacent property lines improved for use of pedestrians, or any other improved area designated for pedestrian use only.
As sidewalks are designed for use of pedestrians, vehicles blocking any portion of a sidewalk may cause pedestrians to enter traffic to get around the parked vehicle. If you have a sidewalk at the end of your driveway, ensure your vehicle does not hang over the sidewalk to avoid a parking ticket.
A boulevard is defined as the portion of a roadway between the curb lines or the lateral lines of a roadway and the adjoining property, and includes curbs, sidewalk, and ditches. Parking is not permitted on the boulevard, as it is City property and needs to be well-maintained.
Vehicles that are parked legally and not time limited by any posted signs may stay in the same location without moving for up to 72 hours.
The City's Zoning Bylaw prohibits the parking of commercial vehicles on residential driveways, these vehicles must be stored or parked at designated commercial parking lots.
The City's Zoning Bylaw prohibits the parking and storage of commercial vehicles that are unrelated to farm operation on an agricultural zoned property, except that a maximum of 2 commercial vehicles may be parked on the property subject to conditions.
Conditions include a requirement that the registered owner of at least one of the commercial vehicles is a resident of the property.
Parking With Sign Regulations
Find out the regulations for parking on streets when there is signage. Some parking regulations in Abbotsford will have a sign reflecting the details of the restriction, whether it be time restrictions, no parking or no stopping. Restricted parking signs are in effect year round, including Stat holidays unless otherwise posted.
“Stopping” means the complete cessation from movement of a vehicle, whether occupied or not, except to avoid a collision, obey a traffic control device or follow the instructions of a peace officer or traffic control person.
"No Stopping" zones are typically used on busier roads to ensure that travel lanes are not obstructed and that visibility remains clear near curves, driveways and on approaches to crosswalks.
The break in the roadway caused by a driveway or back lane does not end a restricted parking zone. The restricted parking zone ends at intersections or when the sign shows a “one way” arrow.
They are also used near schools.
Your vehicle cannot be parked in the same area exceeding the time designated on the sign. Restricted parking signs are in effect year round, including Stat holidays unless otherwise posted. For example, see the sign below.
Vehicles on City Streets Regulations
Find out about Abbotsford's regulation for vehicles for sale, unlicensed vehicles, and trailers on city streets.
Trailers must be hooked up to a vehicle with motive power (an engine) when parked on a City street. This includes utility and recreational trailers.
Recreational vehicles cannot be parked adjacent to operator's place of residence, for a period exceeding 36 consecutive hours.
Vehicles must display valid insurance for operation on city roadways (number plate and decal, or temporary operation permit) to park on city roadways. Storage insurance permits parking only on private property, not on City property.
No goods are to be permitted to be sold on City property, including vehicles. Vehicles displaying "For Sale" signs will be ticketed.
Commercial vehicles, any vehicle with a licenced gross vehicle weight of 5500 kg or greater, or a height over 2.25 metres or as defined in the Commercial Transportation Act, are not permitted to be parked on city roadways.
These vehicles must be stored or parked at designated commercial parking lots.
