Parking Ticket

Got a parking ticket in Ottawa? Here is everything you need to know.

| Last Updated: May 30, 2024

Despite parking regulations relaxing in Ottawa, it still handed out approximately 250,000 tickets in 2020 alone. 

So if you’ve found yourself with a parking ticket in Ottawa, this article will inform you about everything you need to know.

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How to Deal With Parking Tickets in Ottawa

If you receive a parking ticket in Ottawa, you can pay for the ticket through Ottawa’s online payment channel or automated phone payment system. 

You also have the option to deal with a parking ticket by disputing it if you feel like it was issued unfairly.

What are common violations that warrant getting a parking ticket in Ottawa?

The most common violations you’ll get a parking ticket for are incorrect parking positions and parking location. You also can’t park your vehicle more than 30cm away from the sidewalk or with your left wheels by the curb.

Some of the common parking location violations are as follows:

  • Parking within 3 meters of a fire hydrant
  • Parking within 9 meters of an intersection
  • Parking on a boulevard
  • Parking on a sidewalk or a footpath
  • Stopping within an intersection
  • Parking within 9 meters of a crosswalk
  • Parking on a fire route
  • Parking on a bicycle route
  • Parking in a bus stop area
  • Parking in a ‘no standing’ or ‘no stopping’ zone
  • Obstructing a driveway or lane-way
  • Stopping on a bridge
  • Stopping on a center strip of a boulevard

Additional parking violations include parking for more than 3 hours and parking in your own front yard without a permit. You also can’t use a street parking permit at a location different from what’s indicated, nor can you park at an expired parking meter.

Finally, not displaying your Pay & Display ticket on your front windshield or having an expired ticket also warrants a parking ticket. 

The most expensive parking violation is unauthorized parking in an accessible parking area. You’ll be charged $450 for this violation.

How much are parking tickets in Ottawa?

A parking ticket in Ottawa costs as low as $40 and can reach up to $450, depending on what kind of violation you committed. 

For a look at all the associated costs of each parking violation, you may refer to the table below:

ViolationEarly Payment (Within 15 days)Set Fine
Parking, facing the wrong direction (raised curb)$55$75
Stopping, facing the wrong direction (raised curb)$55$75
Parking more than 15 cm from the raised curb$40$60
Stopping more than 15 cm from the raised curb$40$60
Parking facing the wrong direction (no curb)$55$75
Stopping, facing the wrong direction (no curb)$55$75
Parking too far from the right limit of the highway (no curb)$40$60
Stopping too far from the right limit of the highway (no curb)$40$60
Parking, facing the wrong direction - one-way traffic (raised curb)$55$75
Stopping, facing the wrong direction - one-way traffic (raised curb)$55$75
Parking more than 15 cm from the raised curb - one-way traffic$40$60
Stopping more than 15 cm from the raised curb - one-way traffic$40$60
Parking, facing the wrong direction - one-way traffic (no curb)$50$70
Stopping, facing the wrong direction - one-way traffic (no curb)$50$70
Parking too far from the left limit of the highway - one-way traffic (no curb)$40$60
Stopping too far from the left limit of the highway - one-way traffic (no curb)$40$60
Parking in front of a fire hall lot - same side of the highway$50$70
Parking within 8m of a fire hall lot - same side of the highway$50$70
Parking in front of a fire hall lot - opposite side of the highway$50$70
Parking within 30m of a fire hall lot - opposite side of the highway$50$70
Parking within 15m of an intersection$50$70
Parking within 30m of an intersection controlled by a traffic control signal$50$70
Parking in front of the main entrance to a hotel$50$70
Parking in front of the main entrance to a hospital$50$70
Parking in front of the main entrance to a nursing home$50$70
Parking in front of the main entrance to a theatre$50$70
Parking in front of the main entrance to an auditorium$50$70
Parking in front of the main entrance to a public building$50$70
Parking in front of the emergency exit of a hotel$50$70
Parking in front of the emergency exit of a hospital$50$70
Parking in front of the emergency exit of a nursing home$50$70
Parking in front of the emergency exit of a theatre$50$70
Parking in front of the emergency exit of an auditorium$50$70
Parking in front of the emergency exit of a public building$50$70
Parking within 30m of a crosswalk controlled by a traffic control signal - approach side (non- intersection)$50$70
Parking within 30m of a crosswalk controlled by a traffic control signal - leaving side (non- intersection)$50$70
Parking - interfering with the formation of a funeral procession$50$70
Parking within 15m of a roadway end on a dead end highway$50$70
Parking within 9m of an intersection$55$75
Parking within 3m of a point on the curb or edge of the roadway opposite a fire hydrant$80$100
Parking in front of a laneway$60$80
Parking in front of a driveway$60$80
Parking within 1.5m of a laneway$60$80
Parking within 1.5m of a driveway$60$80
Parking - preventing the removal of a previously parked vehicle$40$60
Parking - preventing the removal of a previously standing vehicle$40$60
Parking - preventing ingress to a metered parking space$40$60
Parking - preventing egress from a metered parking space$40$60
Parking - impeding ingress to metered parking space$40$60
Parking - impeding egress from metered parking space$40$60
Parking for the purpose of displaying the vehicle for sale$40$60
Parking for the purpose of greasing the vehicle - non- emergency$40$60
Parking for the purpose of repairing the vehicle - non-emergency$40$60
Parking for the purpose of stripping the vehicle - non- emergency$40$60
Park for the purpose of partially stripping the vehicle - non-emergency$40$60
Parking - roadway width is 6m or less$50$70
Parking on an inner boulevard$50$70
Parking on a driveway within 0.5m of the sidewalk$55$75
Parking on a driveway within 1.5m of a roadway (no sidewalk)$55$75
Parking a vehicle on a driveway within 0.3m of a sidewalk on the west side of Upper Lorne Place between 109m and 152m north of Somerset Street West$50$70
Parking - interfering with snow removal$105$125
Parking - interfering with ice removal$105$125
Parking - interfering with the clearing of snow$105$125
Parking - interfering with highway cleaning operations$105$125
Parking – interfering with highway sweeping$105$125
Parking in a no parking area$65$85
Stopping on a sidewalk$90$110
Stopping partly on a sidewalk$90$110
Stopping over a sidewalk$90$110
Stopping partly over a sidewalk$90$110
Stopping within an intersection$85$105
Stopping within a crosswalk$95$110
Stopping within a school crosswalk zone between 7 AM and 7 PM$95$110
Stopping adjacent to a roadway excavation - impeding traffic$75$95
Stopping adjacent to a roadway obstruction - impeding traffic$75$95
Stopping across from a roadway excavation - impeding traffic$75$95
Stopping across from a roadway obstruction - impeding traffic$75$95
Stopping on the roadway side of a stopped vehicle$75$95
Stopping on the roadway side of a parked vehicle$75$95
Stopping upon a bridge$75$95
Stopping upon an elevated structure$75$95
Stopping within a tunnel$75$95
Stopping within an underpass$75$95
Stopping within 30m of a bridge$75$95
Stopping within 30m of an elevated structure$75$95
Stopping within 30m of a tunnel$75$95
Stopping within 30m of an underpass$75$95
Stopping on a central boulevard$75$95
Stopping on an outer boulevard$75$95
Stopping adjacent to a central boulevard$75$95
Stopping adjacent to a median strip$75$95
Stopping within 30m of a railway crossing - approach side$75$95
Stopping within 15m of a railway crossing - leaving side$75$95
Stopping adjacent to a school between 7 AM and 7 PM$100$120
Stopping adjacent to a park between 7 AM and 7 PM$100$120
Stopping adjacent to a playground between 7 AM and 7 PM$100$120
Stopping within a pedestrian crossover$75$95
Stopping within a pedestrian crossover zone$75$95
Stopping within the turning basin of a cul-de-sac$90$110
Stopping within 30m on the approach of a roundabout$100$120
Stopping within 30m of the leaving side of a roundabout$100$120
Stopping in a no stopping area$110$130
Standing in a no stopping area - special event$110$130
Parking in excess of the posted time limits$45$65
Parking in excess of 3 hours between 7 AM and 7 PM from Monday to Friday$45$65
Parking in excess of 6 hours between 7 AM and 7 PM on Saturday or a holiday$45$65
Parking within 300m of your previous parking space within 1 hour$40$60
Parking a heavy vehicle on a highway$50$70
Parking a vehicle exceeding 6.5m in length on a highway$50$70
Parking school bus on a highway$50$70
Parking between 1 AM and 7 AM from November 15 to April 1$105$125
Parking a vehicle on a highway during the time period prescribed by the General Manager$105$125
Stopping - not entirely within the angled parking space$40$60
Standing - not entirely within the angled parking space$40$60
Parking - not entirely within the angled parking space$40$60
Stopping in an angled parking space - improper angle$40$60
Standing in an angled parking space - improper angle$40$60
Parking in an angled parking space - improper angle$40$60
Parking in angled parking space - vehicle in front not at a curb$40$60
Parking in an angled parking space - vehicle in front not at a roadway edge$40$60
Parking - unauthorized angle parking$40$60
Parking - not entirely within a paid parking zone$50$70
Parking in a motorcycle space outside of the paid parking zone$50$70
Parking in a parking payment device space - failure to use the parking payment device$50$70
Parking in a parking payment device space - failure to deposit the required fee$50$70
Parking in a paid parking zone - failure to deposit the required fee$50$70
Parking in a parking payment device space - failure to activate the parking payment device$50$70
Parking in a paid parking zone - failure to activate the parking payment device$50$70
Parking in a parking payment device space - failure to place the parking payment device receipt on the dashboard$45$65
Parking in a paid parking zone - failure to place the parking payment device receipt on the dashboard$45$65
Park in a parking payment device space - in excess of the time shown on receipt$45$65
Parking in a pay and display parking zone - failure to place the receipt in a position where writing and markings face outward so as to be easily seen from$45$65
Parking vehicle in a paid parking zone other than a motorcycle - failure to deposit the appropriate fee$45$65
Parking in a parking meter space - meter hooded$50$70
Parallel parking in a metered space - front wheels of the vehicle not opposite of the meter (single meter standard)$40$60
Parallel parking in a metered space - vehicle’s rear not opposite the forward meter (double meter standard)$40$60
Parallel parking in a metered space - vehicle’s rear not close to the forward meter (double meter standard)$40$60
Parallel parking in a metered space - vehicle’s front not opposite the rear meter (double meter standard)$40$60
Parallel parking in a metered space - vehicle’s front not close to the rear meter (double meter standard)$40$60
Angle parking in a metered space - vehicle’s front not opposite the meter provided for space$40$60
Angle parking in a metered space - vehicle’s front not close to the meter provided for space$40$60
Parking an oversized vehicle in more than one parking space - failure to make payment for each space used$40$60
Parking in a loading zone$55$75
Stopping in a loading zone$55$75
Stopping in a bus zone$105$125
Stopping in a Para Transpo bus zone$105$125
Parking in a bus time point zone$100$120
Stopping in a bus time point zone$100$120
Parking in a school bus loading zone$105$125
Stopping in a school bus loading zone$105$125
Parking in a taxi zone - not a taxi$55$75
Stopping in a taxi zone - not a taxi$55$75
Parking in a taxi zone - taxi not occupied$55$75
Stopping in a taxi zone - taxi not occupied$55$75
Parking in a police vehicle zone$50$70
Stopping in a police vehicle zone$50$70
Parking in a hotel loading zone$50$70
Stopping in a hotel loading zone$50$70
Parking in a hotel loading zone in excess of 15 minutes$50$70
Stopping in a hotel loading zone in excess of 15 minutes$50$70
Parking in a bookmobile zone$50$70
Stopping in a bookmobile zone$50$70
Parking in a diplomatic loading zone$50$70
Stopping in a diplomatic loading zone$50$70
Parking in a diplomatic loading zone – not loading/unloading$50$70
Stopping in a diplomatic loading zone – not loading/unloading$50$70
Parking in a motorcycle zone$50$70
Stopping in a motorcycle zone$50$70
Parking in a tour bus zone$60$80
Stopping in a tour bus zone$60$80
Parking in an excursion loading zone$50$70
Stopping in an excursion loading zone$50$70
Stopping in a reserved bus lane$105$125
Stopping in a reserved bicycle lane$105$125
Stopping in a high-occupancy vehicle lane$75$95
Parking on a barricaded highway$50$70
Parking a tow truck within 100m of a scene of collision$160$190
Parking a tow truck within 100m of scene of an apparent collision$160$190
Parking a tow truck within 100m of a vehicle involved in collision$160$190
Parking a vehicle on a highway - obstructing traffic$75$95
Parking in excess of 4 hours – disability parking permit$40$60
Parking a vehicle on a mall when prohibited$90$110
Stopping a vehicle on a mall when prohibited$90$110

How to Pay Parking Tickets in Ottawa

How to Pay Parking Tickets in Ottawa

You can pay online for your parking ticket through Ottawa’s ticket payment portal. You can also pay through its automated phone payment system at 613-738-7719.

How to Dispute a Parking Ticket in Ottawa

You can dispute a parking ticket in Ottawa by filling up and submitting an online dispute form with evidence that the violation is without basis. 

After submission, it’ll take around 3-5 business days before a screening officer reviews your ticket and makes a decision.

It’s advised to submit all the evidence you have in your dispute form, such as pictures, to help turn the decision in your favor if the parking ticket was unfairly given to you.

What happens if you don’t pay for a parking ticket in Ottawa?

If you don’t pay for your parking tickets in Ottawa, you won’t be able to renew your Driver’s License because of unpaid dues. Plus, one too many unpaid parking tickets can get your vehicle possibly towed.

How to Avoid Getting Parking Tickets in Ottawa

How to Avoid Getting Parking Tickets in Ottawa

To avoid receiving parking tickets in Ottawa, be as aware of parking laws and violations as you are about your surroundings while driving. Knowing these laws means you can avoid, and even dispute a parking ticket if it was wrongfully given.

To be more specific, we suggest the following to help you avoid receiving any more parking tickets in Ottawa:

  • Check if there are any fire hydrants.
  • Watch for street corners.
  • Don’t park on the street for more than 3 hours unless you have a permit that allows you to do so.
  • Don’t park anywhere with a ‘no standing’ or ‘no stopping’ sign because you’ll still be given a ticket even inside your vehicle.
  • Be aware of the signage and steer clear of fire routes and bicycle lanes.
  • Never park in accessible zones.

Most importantly, remember that all parking laws are still in effect even during the holidays. So always be mindful of all the rules and regulations to avoid any more parking tickets.