With Vancouver residents just starting to adjust to the growing number of Olympic road closures, many must now brace for strict parking restrictions in their neighbourhoods.
Signs advising "No Parking except vehicles registered to this block" have been installed on several streets close to Olympic venues. Violators will face a $100 fine and an automatic tow.
The intention is to keep tourists and Games spectators from parking on residential streets – but some say it goes too far.
Allan Robertson lives nine blocks away from the Hillcrest Olympic venue. He received a notice from the city explaining the restrictions, and informing him that he is allowed to register one visitor license plate for the duration of the Games, and no more.
"If my daughter comes with my granddaughter, she can't really. She'll have to park four blocks away in somebody else's residential neighbourhood."
Robertson wants the city to relax the number of rules so that he and his neighbours can continue with his day-to-day life during the Olympics.
"We have a life that we want to lead," Robertson said. "We're not going to the Olympic events. We're just trying to carry on with life as usual."
Carli Edwards, a parking management engineer for the city, says there are exemptions for non-resident vehicles like home-care workers, but that's as far as they're willing to go.
"We need to reduce vehicle traffic," Edwards said.
"It's very important that we balance the needs of residents living around those games with the needs of all the city's citizens."
The rules take effect on February 12 and last until the end of the Games on February 28. Some restrictions are then reinstated for the Paralympic Games from March 12 to 20.
For more information on parking restrictions and visitor permits, visit the City of Vancouver parking website or phone 604-873-7338.
With a report from CTV British Columbia's Stephen Smart
