Accessible Parking Permit

Accessible parking is governed by the Motor Vehicle Act which defines a person with a disability as a person whose mobility is limited as a result of a permanent or temporary disability that makes it impossible or difficult to walk.

Through the RCD Accessible Parking Permit Program valid permit holders can park in a designated accessible parking space anywhere in B.C., elsewhere in Canada or even outside of Canada.

Under the Rules of Use of the Accessible Parking Permit Program in B.C. the permit has been designed to travel with the eligible permit holder and can be used in any vehicle. This means that someone with a mobility-related disability might benefit from having a permit even if they do not own a vehicle or no longer drive.

To successfully use your permit, you must display your permit by hanging it from your rear-view mirror. You will also be issued a wallet card which you must carry with you to confirm that you are the valid permit holder.

If you have mobility limitations and wish to apply for a parking permit, you must obtain a parking permit application form from the RCD website or request one be mailed to you. We require a certification from a medical professional with a valid MSP number on the application form.

Please complete the form in its entirety. Once complete, you can mail it to us, or scan the form and email it to us at parkingpermits@rcdrichmond.org, or fax to our office at 604-232-2415.

The permit will be issued based on a physician’s recommendation and is available to anyone with a permanent or temporary mobility limitation provided they meet one (1) or more of the following conditions:

• The applicant cannot walk any distance without assistance of another person or a mobility aid
• The applicant cannot walk 100 metres without risk to health
• The applicant has a disability that affects mobility, and the ability to walk specifically

Individuals who are blind, or in cases where safety is a consideration, may also be considered as eligible.

There are two types of parking permits for people with disabilities:

Permanent permits are valid for three (3) years at which time you can renew your permit for an additional three years. Permit renewals for permanent permits can be renewed online.

Temporary permits are valid for a period of one month to one year. Upon expiration, you may reapply with a new application form signed by a medical professional for a new permit.

There are two types of parking permits for people with disabilities:

Permanent Parking Permit: Valid for a period of three years, and renewable.

Temporary Parking Permit: Valid for a period of one month to twelve months, and not renewable. If you require an extension of your temporary parking permit, you must reapply.

RCD will send you a Renewal Form approximately one (1) month before your permit is set to expire. This is applicable to all permanent permit holders. Once you receive your renewal notice you can renew your permit online, over the phone or by mailing in your completed renewal form. There is a processing fee to renew your permit (fee is $31 as at August 2023). As well, we ask that you also return your expired permit.

Use the RCD Accessible Parking Permit Online Portal (online portal) to update your contact information or renew your permit.

You can now renew your permanent parking permit online. Click here for more information on how to renew online.

If your accessible parking permit has expired, it is no longer valid. Please contact us at 604-232-2404 to discuss the best way to renew your permit. Permanent permit holder may renew within 24 months after expiration. Beyond 24 months a new application with proper certification is required, including applicants who had a permit more than 2 years ago.

Temporary parking permit holders must see your doctor and submit a new application form if an accessible parking permit is deemed needed by medical professionals.

Your parking permit has a registration number that is unique to you. It also has an expiry date that shows the month and year that your permit will expire. If you continue to use an expired permit, you are at risk of a fine and/or in some instances it is possible that your vehicle could even be towed. All such cost incurred will be your own responsibility. For permanent permit holders, we will send you one (1) renewal form a month ahead that your permit is up for renewal.

If you have lost your parking permit, please notify us right away. If you would like to request a replacement process, please complete the Replacement Declaration Form and we will issue a replacement permit. However, there will be a processing fee (fee is $31 as at August 2023). As well you are required to complete a declaration form that attests that in event that you find the lost permit you will return it to our office as the permit is no longer valid. Any permit holder using a permit that has been reported lost is at risk of a ticket or even towing of vehicle as this permit is no longer valid. Click here to download the Replacement Declaration Form.

If your permit has been stolen, please notify us right away. You must also contact the police to report the theft. The police will ask you for your permit number and Personal Identification Number. These can be found on your wallet card.

The police will also give you an incident or case number to include with your request for a Replacement Permit. Click here to download the Replacement Declaration Form.

All found parking permits should be returned to the official issuing agency. The mailing address is located on the back of the Parking Permit. If you require further information, please do not hesitate to give us a call at 604-232-2404.

Having a RCD Accessible Parking Permit is a service that we provide for eligible people with disabilities in B.C. Having a parking permit does not automatically make you a member of the RCD. However, many of our parking permit holders have indicated that they would like to join RCD and become a member as a way of continuing to help to keep the Accessible Parking Permit Program strong and to support our work with people and communities with disabilities across British Columbia.

It’s easy. You will find everything you need to know about donating to RCD in the Join and Donate pages on this website.

If you are visiting British Columbia and have a valid parking permit in your home country, agreements are in place to ensure that you may enjoy the same rights and privileges here as you do in your home country. Please contact us to let us know about the details of your trip and we can help by issuing a temporary permit that is recognized in B.C. To obtain a temporary permit, you will need to present official documentation from the issuing agency in your country. This information is needed to help to confirm that you are a valid accessible parking permit holder in your home jurisdiction. There is a Canadian processing fee for any permit issued (fee is $31 as at August 2023).

Working in partnership with the Provincial Accessibility Secretariat, ICBC, and the Ministry of Transportation, RCD has also created a parking permit for existing valid permit holders who ride a motorcycle. This permit is in the form of a decal which can be affixed to the windscreen or to the front of your motorcycle. This permit will be updated every year upon request (at no cost) and is available to all current valid permit holders who ride a motorcycle.

Every year RCD receives more than 8,000 calls and process more than 3,000 permits. Your processing fee helps to cover the cost of delivering the program and helps to keep the Accessible Parking Permit Program strong. It is also worth noting that we deliver this valuable community service across British Columbia without any funding from government. It is all done through the processing fee that you pay as well as any donations that you make. As well, we have an established policy that hardship assistance is available upon request to anyone who does not have the economic resources to cover the cost of the processing fee. Processing fee is $31 as at August 2023.

Should you require more information regarding the Accessible Parking Permit Program or any of the programs and services that we provide, please do not hesitate to call our staff at 604-232-2404 and we are more than happy to help.

Click here for details on our location, directions on best ways to find us and our hours of operation.