Seasonal parking rules and fines

Parking rules and fines are different in winter and summer.

Winter parking

Avoid parking on the street during snowfall or freezing rain. This helps crews salt and clear roads safely.

Citywide winter parking restriction

We declare a citywide winter parking restriction when we need to plow, usually after about 5 cm of snow.

During a citywide winter parking restriction:

• You can’t park on the street unless a sign says you can. This includes 15-hour parking areas.
• The restriction also applies on statutory and religious holidays.
• Current temporary and extended parking permits are suspended, and no new permits are issued.
• If you park on the street, you may get a $150 penalty.

Where you can still park during a restriction

The Traffic (parking) by-law allows on-street parking during a restriction in these signed locations:

• Angle parking (Schedule 2, section 10)
• Parking for restricted periods (Schedule 5)
• Parking machines (Schedule 7A, section 21A)
• Car share parking spaces (Schedule 38, section 21C)
• Commercial vehicle loading zones (Schedule 22, section 39)
• Taxicab stands (Schedule 23, section 40)
• Designated on-street parking for disabled (Schedule 29, section 51)
• Driveway boulevard parking curb to sidewalk (Schedule 31)

Snow removal in municipal parking lots

We may close paid municipal parking areas to clear and salt them after winter weather. We’ll put up ‘no parking’ signs 24 hours before snow removal starts.

Fines and penalties

Citywide winter parking restriction penalty

If you park on the street during a citywide winter parking restriction, you may get a $150 penalty. Parked cars make it harder for crews to clear roads and driveway windrows, and for emergency vehicles, transit and residents to get through.

Areas with ‘no parking’ signs

Don’t park where ‘no parking’ signs are up, including municipal parking areas closed for snow removal. You may get a ticket and your vehicle may be towed. You’ll pay all towing and storage fees.

Summer parking

Higher fines south of Lakeshore Road

From May 1 to September 30, parking and stopping fines are $100 in these areas south of Lakeshore Road, from the city’s east limit to its west limit:

• Local roads
• City parks
• Municipal parking lots

Higher fines also apply to these offences in the Lakefront Increased Penalty Zone:

• Stopping on a sidewalk ($120)
• Parking within 3 metres of a fire hydrant ($120)
• Parking in a school zone ($145)
• Stopping in a school zone ($145)

Higher fines don’t apply between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. Regular fines apply during those hours.