Parking Regulations

Traffic and Highways Regulation Bylaw No. 67

Parking regulations help keep Sooke safe, accessible, and moving - whether you're visiting up Sooke (our town core), heading to the Potholes, launching your boat, or parking in a neighbourhood.

Use the accordion sections below to learn where you can park, required distances from driveways and intersections, paid parking locations, and how enforcement works in high-demand areas.

Be a Good Neighbour

Parking responsibly is part of being a good neighbour.

When parking, please:

Do not block or partially obstruct driveways.
Leave space for residents to safely enter and exit their properties.
Be mindful of sightlines at corners and crossings.
Avoid parking that forces pedestrians, cyclists, or people using mobility devices into the roadway.

Safe parking choices help protect children, seniors, cyclists, and emergency responders

Required Parking Distances and Safety Rules

To maintain visibility and ensure emergency access, parking is not permitted:

Within 2 metres of a driveway
Within 6 metres of a crosswalk
Within 6 metres of an intersection
Within 6 metres of a fire hydrant
In vehicle travel lanes
In bike lanes

These spacing requirements help maintain sightlines and support community safety.

Failure to follow these regulations may result in enforcement under the Traffic and Highways Regulation Bylaw No. 67.

Parking "Up Sooke" (Town Core)

When visiting businesses and services up Sooke, please:

Follow posted signage.
Respect time limits.
Avoid blocking driveways or loading zones.
Be mindful of pedestrian crossings and cyclist routes.

High-turnover parking helps support local businesses and keeps the town core accessible for everyone.

Attending an Event?

When events are taking place at the Sooke Community Hall or the Sooke Legion, parking in the immediate area can be limited.

If you’re attending an event, you may wish to:

Carpool with others where possible.
Allow extra time to find parking.
Park in a nearby public lot, such as at Sooke Municipal Hall, and enjoy a short walk (approximately 600 metres) to the venue.

Planning ahead helps reduce congestion in surrounding neighbourhoods and improves safety for pedestrians and other road users.

Paid Parking Locations (Managed by Robbins Parking)

Paid parking in Sooke is managed by Robbins Parking at:

Sooke Potholes Gateway (District of Sooke) and Sooke Potholes Regional Park (CRD)
Sooke Boat Launch

Payment is required in designated areas. Please follow all posted instructions.

To ensure public safety, parking regulations in these areas are strictly enforced.

Vehicles parked illegally may be subject to:

Immediate ticketing
Towing without notice if blocking access or parked unlawfully

School & Sports Field Parking Options

School drop-off and pick-up times and community sports events can increase parking demand in surrounding neighbourhoods.

To help manage congestion:

Journey Middle School and Poirier Elementary School parking lots are available for public use during evenings and weekends.
The District supports the Active Routes to School Program, including a Walking School Bus, to reduce traffic and improve safety.

Learn more about Active School Travel.

Parking FAQs

How does the District decide where to install parking signage?

Parking signage and restrictions are implemented where the District has the capacity and operational resources to effectively manage and enforce them.

Signage is typically prioritized in:

High-traffic areas
Locations with documented safety concerns
Areas where emergency access must be maintained
Paid parking zones managed by Robbins Parking

The goal is to ensure regulations are clear, enforceable, and meaningful.

Can the District install new parking restrictions on my street?

Requests for new parking restrictions are reviewed based on:

Safety considerations
Traffic patterns
Emergency access requirements
Available enforcement capacity

Not all requests result in signage or regulatory changes. In many cases, existing bylaw distance requirements (e.g., 2 metres from driveways, 6 metres from intersections) already provide enforceable tools to address unsafe parking.

What can I do if I feel that parking on my street is creating safety concerns?

If vehicles are:

Blocking driveways
Parking too close to intersections or crosswalks
Blocking hydrants
Parking in travel lanes or bike lanes

These may be violations under the Traffic and Highways Regulation Bylaw No. 67

Residents can report concerns to the District’s Bylaw Services team. Priority is given to safety-related issues and situations where emergency access is impacted.

Why is enforcement stricter in some areas than others?

Enforcement resources are focused on areas where:

Emergency access must be maintained at all times (e.g., Boat Launch, Potholes)
Traffic volumes are high
Safety risks are elevated

Targeted enforcement ensures resources are used where they have the greatest impact on safety and accessibility.

Why doesn’t Sooke have more “Residential Only” parking areas?

“Residential Only” parking zones require consistent monitoring and enforcement to be effective.

At this time, the District does not generally deploy residential-only parking signage because bylaw enforcement resources are not available to proactively monitor and enforce these areas on an ongoing basis.

Installing signage without the ability to enforce it can create confusion and unrealistic expectations for residents.

District of Sooke
2205 Otter Point Road
Sooke, BC V9Z 1J2

Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30am – 4:30pm
Phone: 250-642-1634