Proposed Traffic and Parking Bylaw 2026

Consultation Hearing details

Submissions closed	27/05/2026
Hearing	To be advised
Contact person	Policy Analyst - Transport Regulation

We’re reviewing the Dunedin City Council Traffic and Parking Bylaw and want to hear your thoughts on proposed changes. Tell us what you think before public consultation closes at 5pm, 27 May 2026.

Why does the Bylaw need to be reviewed?

Between 2010 and today, changes in the technological, social, and legal context mean that some sections of the Bylaw need to be brought up to date. The Council is also currently developing a Parking Strategy that will guide the supply and management of parking in the city. This review will make sure the Bylaw is fit for purpose for future changes and is consistent with the forthcoming Strategy.

What’s in scope for the Bylaw review?

In scope: Over-arching Council regulations related to traffic and parking, e.g. terms and conditions for different types of permits, or general restrictions that prohibit or restrict vehicles from stopping, standing or parking on any road

Out of scope: Specific vehicle parking or spatial changes, e.g. updating the time restriction for a specific car park in Dunedin City, contesting a parking fee, or changing a street layout

The proposal

The Traffic and Parking Bylaw is currently working well to regulate traffic and parking restrictions in Dunedin. The proposed changes to the Bylaw are mostly minor updates to make the structure and clauses clearer, remove redundancy, and update terminology with the latest changes in technology and legislation. New clauses in the Bylaw help clarify how resolutions are made, how some permits are granted, and where some exceptions might apply.

Proposed changes

Inserting new clauses to improve flow and provide clearer guidance

Proposed changes to the Bylaw would introduce new standalone clauses to put clearer provisions around resolutions, types of parking permits and types of parking areas, making the Bylaw easier to understand.
In practice, these proposed changes do not change how traffic and parking regulations and restrictions operate on the ground, and are intended to provide a clearer structure and clearer guidance in the Bylaw.
For some of the proposed changes, new clauses are introduced to either align with terminology in updated legislation (e.g. proposed new clause 25: Shared zones), or to strengthen the ability of the Council to regulate issues that may affect the community (e.g. proposed new clause 26: Engine braking).

Updating clauses to be more specific, provide exemptions and to add a new defence

A few proposed changes update existing clauses to be more specific (e.g. about the types of vehicles that can access reserved parking).
Some changes add important exemptions to certain clauses to ensure better access to parking for vehicles providing essential services (e.g. for emergency vehicles or network utility operators).
A new parking defence is also proposed in clause 30 (where a person proves that their act or omission was to avoid the death or injury of any person).

Minor changes to update terminology and improve clarity

Many of the proposed changes would update the Bylaw to reflect the latest changes to technology, terminology and legislation, and to improve the overall flow of the Bylaw.
Key proposed changes to improve clarity include adding more definitions into clause 4: Interpretation of the proposed Bylaw, and amending definitions where technology has changed or where definitions have been updated in the LTA or the Land Transport (Road User) Rule 2004.
“Explanatory notes” are also proposed for inclusion throughout the Bylaw to improve the overall readability of the document.

The proposed changes are detailed in full in the Statement of Proposal.