Is there a way to bypass Toronto’s strict front yard parking regulations? The answer: it depends on where you live.

In 2019, a Parkdale resident on Springhurst Avenue found themselves unable to obtain a parking pad permit from Transportation Services. This was due to a moratorium placed by Councillor Gord Perks (Ward 4, Parkdale-High Park), which banned new front yard parking pads in the ward. In response, the homeowner sought a workaround through the Committee of Adjustments (COA), attempting to bypass the ban by applying for a minor variance.

Initially, the COA denied the request. But the homeowner appealed the decision to the Toronto Local Appeal Body (TLAB), the appeals board for COA cases. With the help of a professional planner and a planning lawyer, the appeal was successful. In December 2019, TLAB overruled the COA’s refusal, allowing the construction of a parking pad to accommodate an electric vehicle.

The appeal succeeded because the homeowner argued that the parking pad ban conflicted with the city’s climate initiatives.

It’s important to note that this loophole was only viable for properties where the entire parking pad could be located on private property. In Toronto, however, most front yards aren’t deep enough. The city’s right of way typically covers 1/3 to 1/2 of the average front yard, making it impossible for most homeowners to build a parking pad entirely on their private property.

In response to the Springhurst Avenue case, Councillor Gord Perks successfully pushed for an amendment to the Municipal Code. This amendment extended the front yard parking ban to include the Building Department, effectively closing the loophole that some homeowners hoped to use.

Now, where a front yard parking ban exists at the municipal level, it applies to both the COA and the Building Department.

While I understand Councillor Perks’ desire to prevent residents from bypassing the ban, I challenge some of his justifications. For instance, he argues that front yard parking pads reduce on-street permit parking because curb ramps eliminate street parking spaces. However, the current By-law 918 no longer permits parking pads if they result in the loss of permit parking spaces.

Councillor Perks has also raised concerns about flooding, noting that hard surfaces contribute to stormwater runoff. However, By-law 918 requires permeable pavers, which help mitigate this issue by allowing rainwater to absorb into the ground.

There are still many areas in Toronto where front yard parking pads can be approved under By-law 918, provided there isn’t a ban in the specific ward. Even in areas without bans, we can explore the possibility of gaining approval through the COA if the parking pad can be located entirely on private property.