Parking permits

“’highway’ includes a common and public highway, street, avenue, parkway, driveway, square, place, bridge, viaduct, or trestle, any part of which is intended for, or used by, the general public for the passage of vehicles and includes the area between the lateral property lines thereof”
- as per BY-LAW NO. 2017 - 301

PARKING PERMIT REGULATIONS – OTTAWA

1. For the purposes of this schedule:
   1. "daytime" means the period of time from 7 am to 7 pm of the same day, and
   2. "overnight" means the period from 7 pm of one day to 7 am of the next day.
   3. Permit must be affixed to lower inside of windshield on driver's side to be valid.
2. Permit holders may park their vehicles for longer periods than posted during the daytime period on the sides and between the limits of highways that permit daytime public parking and have signs posted bearing the words "Permit Holders Exempted".
3. A permit holder may not park their vehicle on the sides and between the limits of highways during the times of day that stopping or parking is prohibited.
4. Permit holders may park their vehicle overnight on the sides and between the limits of highways that permit daytime public parking and have signs posted bearing the words "Permit Holder Exempted".
5. Permit holders may park their vehicles in the area for which a permit has been issued, as shown on the sketch given with the permit, provided space is available and that all parking regulations are complied with including the general regulations of the said By-law Number 2017-301.
6. Permit holders shall not park their vehicles in a parking space controlled by a parking meter during those hours that require payment as set out in instructions contained on the parking meter unless the payment instructions and parking limits are adhered to.
7. When temporary "No Parking" signs are placed by the Corporation of the City of Ottawa, permit holders shall remove their vehicles from these highways and the permits are not valid until such time as the temporary signs are removed.
8. A permit holder who contravenes any of the provisions of this by-law is subject to a fine and towing away at the owner's expense. In addition, repeated violations will result in the loss of the permit.
9. A permit holder may park the vehicle in the designated permit parking zone up to 48 hours without moving the vehicle as long as the signs bearing the words "Permit Holders Exempted" are posted.
10. Questions about refunds can be directed to parking.operations@ottawa.ca (link sends e-mail). This mailbox will be monitored for refund inquiries only.

Holders of a valid accessible parking permit (APP) are entitled to special parking privileges in public parking areas and on public roadways. Ottawa residents with temporary or permanent disabilities can obtain an application for an accessible parking permit (APP) by calling ServiceOntario at 1-800-267-8097 or by contacting your local ServiceOntario centre.

Who is eligible?

Any person who holds an accessible parking permit (APP) is eligible. The City of Ottawa honours valid accessible parking permits, licence plates, markers, or devices bearing the international symbol for access, for permit holders from other jurisdictions.

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 ServiceOntario at 1-800-267-8097or by contacting your local ServiceOntario centre.

How to use your permit

Your permit must be displayed on the dashboard or sun visor of the vehicle in a way that the permit number and expiry date are clearly visible.

On-street privileges

Time limits are extended to four (4 ) hours at Pay & Display machines and elsewhere where parking is permitted, regardless of the time limit posted on the signs.

Parking at Pay & Display machines is free.

Vehicles may be parked up to four (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 dropped 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

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 disabilities.

For accessible permit rates for City managed parking lots and garages, please refer to the Municipal Parking Lots page. 

Restrictions

Permit holders are subject to all other traffic and parking by-law provisions including respecting the winter parking bans and cannot block driveways, park in front of a fire hydrant or park within nine (9) metres of an intersection. Vehicles must not be stopped or parked in a way that blocks traffic.

Permit holders cannot park facing the wrong direction (facing on-coming traffic).

Permit holders cannot park more than 15 centimetres away from a curb (includes the middle of a dead end street/cul-de-sac).

Permit holders cannot park in “no stopping zones“. "No stopping" regulations are in effect on many roadways during peak traffic hours, usually Monday to Friday, 7 am to 9 am and 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm Permit holders are not exempt from these regulations. Permit holders also cannot stop in school bus loading zones, taxi zones, and police vehicle zones.

Questions?

Please contact us for more information.

Seasonal beach parking passes for Petrie Island is now available for purchase. The beach pass will be valid from May 20 to September 4, 2023. Please contact Parking.Operations@ottawa.ca, Seasonal passes for Mooney’s Bay are no longer offered.

Tour Bus Parking Permits are used by tour bus operators to park at any of the yellow tour bus parking meters.  Each permit is valid for a maximum period of 24 consecutive hours and allows a tour bus to park at any designated tour bus meter without having to pay the hourly rate.  The permit indicates both the time and date of expiry.

Cost 

• $30 per permit

Apply

No application necessary. Place an order online and pick-up by appointment at the client service center of your choice.

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Note: Refunds are not available for this permit.