Accessible Parking Permit (APP)

Within the City of Ottawa both physically disabled drivers and physically disabled passengers who have a valid Accessible Parking Permit (APP) are entitled to special parking privileges in public parking areas and on public roadways.

Who is eligible?

Any person who holds an Accessible Parking Permit (APP) is eligible.

Getting or Replacing an Accessible Parking Permit (APP)

Ottawa residents with temporary or permanent disabilities can obtain an application for an Accessible Parking Permit (APP) by calling the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario at 1-800-268-4686 or by contacting your local license bureau office.

How to use your permit

Your permit must be displayed on the dashboard or sun visor whenever you are taking advantage of the special parking privileges.

On-street privileges

  • Time limits are extended to 4 hours at parking meters and elsewhere where parking is permitted, regardless of the time limit posted on the signs.
       
  • Parking at meters is free.
       
  • Vehicles may be parked up to 4 hours in "no parking" zones.
       
  • Permit holders may be picked up and dropped off in "no stopping" and "loading" zones, as well as in reserved bus lanes and reserved bicycle lanes as long as traffic is not impeded. Drivers are NOT permitted to wait for permit holders to return after they are let off in these locations.

These parking privileges do not apply to off-street parking facilities such as those at Federal Government buildings and Private Institutions (i.e. Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport, hospitals, etc.).

Off-street privileges

international symbol for accessibility for persons with physical disabilities
  • All parking lots in the City of Ottawa with 20 or more public parking spaces are required to reserve at least one parking space for the use of permit holders. These spaces are identified by official signs showing the international symbol for accessibility for persons with physical disabilities.
       
  • Permit holders are required to pay the same parking fee as charged other parking lot users unless signs indicate otherwise.

Restrictions

  • Permit holders cannot stop in school bus loading zones, taxi zones and police vehicle zones.
       
  • Permit holders are subject to all other Traffic and Parking By-law provisions such as the prohibition of blocking driveways, parking in front of a fire hydrant and parking within 9 metres of an intersection.
       
  • Vehicles must not be stopped or parked so as to obstruct traffic.
       
  • "No stopping" regulations are in effect on many roadways during peak traffic hours, usually Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Permit holders are NOT exempt from these regulations.

Questions?

Please contact us.

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