Whitby Council has announced the implementation of a temporary free parking pilot program for the summer months in Downtown Whitby.
The council received a report that downtown businesses continue to face economic pressures in a challenging climate and would benefit from measures that improve accessibility and convenience to potential customers.
It decided that a time-limited pilot would allow the town to assess whether adjusted parking policies can improve parking distribution, increase customer access, and support local businesses without committing to a permanent change.
The free parking will be a four-hour maximum for the summer period of June 1 to September 30, 2026 in the areas of Municipal Lot #6 (Perry Street) and Municipal Lot #5 (Colborne Street).
The council directed staff to install appropriate signage advising the public of the temporary free parking initiative and to monitor and evaluate the impacts of the pilot program.
Staff is asked to report back to council in Q4 2026 with the results of the pilot and any recommendations regarding continuation, modification, or discontinuation of the program.