Large vehicles
Motor homes and tour buses qualify as “large vehicles”, and there are special parking regulations for each. Review the information on this page, and see more details on encroachment permits.
Motor homes
The City of Ottawa does not provide parking in Municipal parking lots for Motorhomes.
Motor home operators should know the City’s bylaws related to traffic and parking on highways.
Parking on private property is stated below.
City of Ottawa By- Law 2003-530 Part 2, Section 18
Subject to subsections (5) and (10), no person shall park a vehicle exceeding six and one-half (6.5) metres in length or a school bus or permit a vehicle exceeding six and one-half (6.5) metres in length or school bus to remain parked on a highway at any time between 9:00 p.m. of one day and 7:00 a.m. of the next following day.
Subject to the other provisions of this by-law, the provisions of subsection (4), stated above, shall not apply to vehicles exceeding six and one-half (6.5) metres in length or school buses parked on designated truck routes.
When parking on private property, get permission from the property owner and observe any restrictions they may have.
Free parking locations for motor homes:
| Place | Address | Fee | Daytime | Overnight | Additional |
| Casino Du Lac Leamy | 1 Boulevard du CasinoGatineau QC | Free | 8:30 am to 4 am | No | Only for casino guests in designated parking lot |
| Rideau Carleton Raceway | 4837 Albion Rd.Ottawa, ON | Free | Yes | Parking only available in the south parking lot.No hook-ups available for overnight staying | |
| Wal Mart | Must go to courtesy desk and check in with customer service. They will point out the designated area where you may park your Motor Home. | ||||
| 1350 Richmond Rd Ottawa, ON | Free | Mon to Sat 8 am to 10 pmSun 8 am to 8 pm | Yes | Must confirm with store manager in advance | |
| 2210 Bank StreetOttawa, ON | Free | Mon to Sat7 am to 10 pmSun 8 am to 8pm | Yes | Must confirm with store manager in advance | |
| 3651 Strandherd Dr Ottawa, ON | Free | Mon to Sat 7 am to 10 pmSun 8 am to 8 pm | Yes | Must confirm with store manager in advance | |
| 3900 Innes RdOrleans, ON | Free | Mon to Sat 7 am to 10 pmSun 8 am to 8 pm | Yes | Must confirm with store manager in advance | |
| 35 Boul.Du PlateauGatineau QC | Free | Mon to Fri 8 am to 9 pmSat/Sun 8 am to 5 pm | Yes | Must confirm with store manager in advance | |
| 640 BoulMaloney WestGatineau QC | Free | Mon to Fri 8 am to 9 pmSat/Sun 8 am to 5 pm | Yes | Must confirm with store manager in advance |
Tour buses
Like other large vehicles, tour buses have unique parking regulations.
Important reminder: Construction projects can affect traffic flow on city roads. Tour bus operators should be aware of current projects when planning routes.
Free tour bus parking (see map):
- Canada Aviation Museum, 11 Aviation Parkway, Ottawa, ON (24/7)
- Robert Guertin Center, 125 De Carillon Street, Gatineau, QC (7 am to 5 pm – Mon to Sun)
Note: Tour bus spaces are available on a first-come first-served basis
Metered tour bus parking
Yellow tour bus parking meters are located on-street throughout the downtown area. Parking fees are $1.50 for 20 minutes. Meters accept 25¢, $1 and $2 coins. An information plate inside the meter dome will give you details about parking restrictions, time limits and the hours when parking is free.
Weekend parking
Free weekend parking is available on weekends at City lots and on-street parking meters located within the downtown core (bounded in the east by the Rideau Canal and in the west by Bronson Avenue, to the north by Wellington Street, and in the south by Catherine Street). Please check parking signs, as time restrictions may apply.
Regulations
Parking at meters is for the specified interval - regardless of whether you return to insert more coins. You could be ticketed even if the meter is still running, if you have been tagged as over the time limit. You may be eligible for a Parking Infraction Notice (PIN)/Parking Ticket if you have parked at a:
- defective meter
- hooded meter
To avoid committing a parking infraction, find an alternate parking space immediately.
24-hour Tour bus parking permits
24-hour Tour Bus Parking Permit is used by tour bus operators to park at any of the yellow tour bus parking meters. Permits are valid for a maximum period of 24 consecutive hours and allow the driver to park at any designated tour bus meter without having to pay. The permit indicates both the time and date of expiry.
Purchasing a 24-hour Tour bus parking permit
Please call 3-1-1 for information on purchasing a 24-hour Tour Bus Parking Permit.
For additional convenience Tour Bus Parking permits can now be purchased at the Champagne Pool Recreation Facility located at 321 King Edward Avenue.
Closed: June 25 to July 13 inclusively for annual maintenance and will re-open on July 14.
Permits can be obtained at the City of Ottawa Client Service Centre at 110 Laurier Avenue
The facility is open during the following hours;
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 6:30 am to 9:45 pm
Thursday 9 am to 9:45 pm
Saturday and Sunday 9 am to 4:45 pm
Closed all statutory holidays
Closed: June 25 to July 13 inclusively
Map of tour bus parking areas [ PDF - 651 KB ]
Tour bus operators coming to Parliament Hill
Tour buses are not allowed on Parliament Hill, this includes all areas north of Wellington Street between the Rideau Canal and Kent Street. Buses will be immediately turned away or subject to fees associated with ticketing and towing if they are found on the Hill. These provisions are in place 24 hours a day/7 days a week.
Tour Bus operators are required to use the drop-off and pick-up zones indicated on this map. Tour buses must depart immediately after dropping off and/or picking up passengers as these spaces are not parking spots. Please note the times and locations for off-peak hours and rush hours.
Most of the pick-up and drop-off zones identified on the map are within a short walk to the Parliament Hill Visitor Welcome Centre entrance located at the base of the Peace Tower.
Please be reminded that this information is subject to change. The co-operation of the visiting public is appreciated.
Legend
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Off-peak hours pickup/drop-off; Monday to Friday, 9 am to 3 pm and after 6 pm; Saturday and Sunday, all day |
|
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Pick-up and drop-off anytime(only 2 spaces at each location). | |
Tour bus operators and tour organizers planning a visit to Rideau Hall
LAY-BY AREA – Stopping point/pick-up/drop-off
Tour Buses are required to use the Lay-by Area for drop-off and pick-up of visitors. Although parking is allowed, Tour Bus drivers must remain with their bus at all times..
If you have any questions concerning tour bus parking at Rideau Hall, you may contact the Rideau Hall Visitors Services Office at 613-991-4422 or 1-866-842-4422.
Overflow holding area
If there is an overflow in the Lay-by Area, tour bus operators may use the Overflow Holding Area in Rockcliffe Park. Bus drivers may park for longer periods and may leave their bus to use the nearby services such as the washrooms and the snack bar. Please consult the tour bus lay-by or bus holding area maps for details.
This information is subject to change. Your co-operation is appreciated.
Idling motor vehicles
Re: Tour buses
Noise By-Law - Section 10
No person shall operate or permit the operation of an engine or motor in, or on, any motor vehicle or item of attached auxiliary equipment for a continuous period exceeding five (5) minutes, while such vehicle is stationary unless:
- The vehicles are operated by a private bus transportation company in the course of providing transportation services and the vehicles are carrying passengers
- Weather conditions justify the use of heating or refrigerating systems powered by the motor or engine for the safety and welfare of the operator, passengers or animals, or the preservation of perishable cargo, and the vehicle is stationary for purposes of actively loading or unloading.
Information:
For more information, please call 3-1-1
TTY: 613-580-2401
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