Is Kelowna ready for the parking version of AirBnB?

It’s been common practice in East Vancouver for decades during popular events at the PNE Fairgrounds.

With thousands of attendees searching for parking, residents rent out their home’s parking spaces for a fee.

The concept is similar to AirBnB, where homeowners rent out a room in their house for a certain rate, and it could be coming to Kelowna.

According to Dave Duncan, parking services coordinator with City of Kelowna, the idea is being considered in the city’s updated Parking Plan.

“Unlock that unused parking capacity,” says Duncan. “It has the potential to be a real positive and reduce the city’s need to constantly provide more parking.”

However, any residents thinking of renting out their unused parking space today would be in violation of Kelowna’s zoning bylaws, as well as be subject to liability and insurance implications.

“The intent isn't to have people pave their front yards and turn it into a parking lot,” assures Duncan.

“Increased public traffic in a traditional neighbourhood would be an issue as well, it would be important to restrict availability to the town centre.”

Available downtown parking is a point of contention in Kelowna, calls for another downtown parkade or parking lot come often, however, Duncan says it’s not that easy.

Parkades and parking lots are largely subsidized by on street parking revenue, with stall rates unable to sustain construction and operating costs, meaning private companies aren’t lining up to provide more parking.

Although, Duncan says the perception of Kelowna’s downtown parking is as much an issue as actually having enough stalls.

“It's not really a problem of having available parking, it's that there's some apprehension towards walking five minutes to your destination and the rates,” says Duncan.

“The majority of the downtown core is covered by a three minute walk from each parking centre.”

Residents are being asked to respond online at the city's Get Involved website by Nov. 28 since there won’t be any public meeting to review the proposed changes.