Toronto is installing tons of new curb lane parking spots to support local businesses

Just days after Toronto Police announced that they would resume the towing of vehicles that were illegally parked during rush hour, the City of Toronto is reopening registration for a program that expands the number of curbside pickup spots on major streets.

Small businesses can once again apply to get a "temporary priority Parking Pick-Up Zone" installed in front of their establishments for the purpose of letting customers pop in to pick up pre-purchased products.

And by "installed" I mean that city staff will come and nail a blue sign to a post indicating that parking is free for up to ten minutes at a time in front of your store.

#CityofTO will re-open registration for CurbTO temporary parking pick-up zones to help support main street businesses while Toronto is in the Grey – Lockdown category of the Province of Ontario’s #COVID19 response framework. News release: https://t.co/Z42RNkMWdG pic.twitter.com/ShTjDb97K6

— City of Toronto (@cityoftoronto) November 27, 2020

The CurbTO program, which is available city-wide, was initially rolled out in April to help businesses stay afloat amid a provincial state of emergency.

About 200 of these temporary spots existed along main streets in Toronto over the summer, but that number dwindled to roughly 65 once restrictions loosened up, according to CP24.

Now that Toronto has been put into the grey "lockdown" zone of Ontario's new colour-coded COVID-19 framework, the city is once again accepting applications for new spots.

Blue signs are put in place to identify the temporary parking locations and City staff are working with Toronto Police Service Parking Enforcement to plan enforcement and help ensure that the designated parking locations are used appropriately.

— City of Toronto (@cityoftoronto) November 27, 2020

Small businesses interested in applying for a permit to make things easier for customers and delivery people can do so here.

"Temporary Parking Pick-up Zones are intended to support quick food, medicine and merchandise pick-ups by allowing residents to park for free for up to 10 minutes in close proximity to a business offering curbside or delivery services," reads the city's website.

"At this time, Curb Lane Pedestrian Zones to allow for physical distancing for customer queues are not possible due to winter maintenance activities."