REGINA — Regina city council has officially approved changes to parking payments, parking zones and fines in downtown.
Here is a breakdown of the changes coming:
Parking vouchers:
Finding savings from its 2026 budget — $220,000 — council removed coin payment options for parking meters effective March 1.
The move was unpopular with residents, prompting Regina Mayor Chad Bachynski to introduce parking vouchers.
Sold in batches of five for $13.75, the vouchers can be purchased at city hall. Administration said it would be open to working with the Regina Downtown Business Improvement District (RDBID) on creating other selling points for the voucher.
A single voucher can be used at any parking meter for up to two hours before the vehicle must be moved to another spot.
Any violations involving the vouchers will result in a $75 fine.
Since March 1, all paid on-street parking in downtown Regina was moved to the PayByPhone system as the only payment option. Residents can pay for parking using the PayByPhone app, online at PayByPhone.com or by calling 1-888-680-7275. Payments can be made using major credit and debit cards, as well as Apple Pay, Google Pay or PayPal.
More information, including step-by-step instructions for using the system, is available at Regina.ca/PayByPhone.
Parking zones:
Beginning April 1, downtown parking spaces will have new rates.
Council has split the area into two parking zones — Zone A will be $1.50/hr, and Zone B will be between $3/hr and $5/hr.
The area east of Broad Street and south of Victoria Avenue will see parking rates decrease to $1.50/hour, while loading zone rates will increase to $3.00/hr or $5.00/hr.
Council considered raising all parking meters to $2.50 an hour but was concerned it would discourage people from shopping downtown.
At the March 4 executive committee meeting, Kurtis Doney, deputy city manager of city operations, said the zone split encourages more people to park downtown.
“The utilization rate [east of Broad St. and South of Victoria Ave] is quite low, so our thought process is that if we have a lower rate, it will encourage more people to park in that area and those able can walk in the downtown.”
Increasing parking rates is expected to generate $175,000 in annual revenue.
Increase in fines:
Residents will see parking fines rise by $10 beginning April 1.
Examples include:
Stopped in a bus lane (increasing to $90);
Parking too far away from the curb (increasing to $80);
Stopped in a school zone where prohibited (increasing to $130);
Parked in a paid stall where electronic means application showed violation or time expired (increasing to $75);
Stopped or parked on private property without consent of owner (increasing to $80);
Parked in a loading zone for longer than the maximum time permitted (increasing to $90).
Increasing rates will generate $400,000 in revenue annually for the city.
