Parking permits

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.

Permit holders are required to pay the same parking fee as other parking lot users, unless signs indicate otherwise.

Restrictions 

Permit holders are subject to all other Traffic and Parking By-law provisions including respecting the Winter Overnight Parking Ban 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, 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. 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.

The purpose of the Business Identity Card Permit is to provide special short-term parking privileges for drivers of commercial or delivery and pick-up vehicles, not including passenger services, in the downtown and business districts of the City.  The card is essentially a permit that allows drivers to temporarily park on-street in “Loading” or signed “No Parking” zones.  It is intended to serve business-related drivers and is applicable across the City, where defined Loading or No Parking zones exist along the street.  It is not intended to provide any special privilege with respect to metered parking or other parking-restricted areas.

Permit holders are allowed to stop, for purposes of delivery, pick-up, or loading, for: (i) up to fifteen (15) minutes in a "No Parking Zone"; or (ii) up to fifteen (15) minutes in a "Loading Zone".

Approximate cost

• 2019: $124.50 per year (per vehicle)

Approximate timeline

• Upon the approval of a completed application form with permit fee

Permit requirements

Applicants are required to complete an application form, provide the ownership/registration and provide proof of their eligibility by describing in writing the nature of their business or service that requires them to be involved in the delivery and/or pickup of goods, packages, or messages in the normal conduct of that business or the provision of that service.

Who to Contact

Please visit a Client Service Centre or call 3-1-1.

Where to apply

Visit a Client Service Centre

The purpose of the Day Care Parking Permit is to provide a safe and convenient manner for the drop-off and pick-up of day care users (i.e. children), without a significant disruption to the availability of on-street parking or the operation of the street. In general, the Day Care Parking Permit entails the establishment of a temporary pick-up and drop-off zone along the street, where vehicles can stop for the purpose of picking up children.  “No Parking” zones are established on-street adjacent to the day care centres and permits are then issued to provide special fifteen minute privileges for loading and unloading only in that zone.  The No Parking zones may be time-of-day and time-of-week specific, and the special privileges are applicable only during those specified times. The permit is intended as a remedial measure at day care centres that do not have adequate off-street pick-up and drop-off areas.

Permit holders are allowed to park for no more than fifteen minutes only in the defined area that corresponds to the permit.

Approximate cost

• 2019: $273.25 per year

Approximate timeline

• the approval of a completed application form with permit fee

Permit requirements

The applicant must complete an application form and provide evidence including:

• That they are an administrative manager of a licensed Day Care center
• Justification for the required number of parking permits as requested
• Vehicle owner name and licence plate number of each vehicle for which a permit is to be issued

Who to contact

Please visit a Client Service Centre or call 3-1-1.

Where to apply

Visit a Client Service Centre

The purpose of the Guest Parking Permit Program is to provide residents in defined areas with a special privilege that allows their guests to park for longer periods than otherwise permitted, subject to some limitations and conditions. The rationale is to provide a short-period guest parking solution in areas near high on-street parking generators such as hospitals or sports venues where tight parking restrictions such as “No Parking” or 1- or 2-hour time limit zones have been established to solve on-street parking violation problems.

The resident’s guests who is holding the Guest Parking Permit is allowed to remain parked in the defined Guest Parking Permit Zone that corresponds to the permit, up to a maximum duration of 3 hours, consistent with the general unsigned regulations in effect throughout the City. Some permits, given their Guest Parking Permit Zone, may specify a limited time period during which the permit privileges apply.

Other than the special on-street parking privileges specified by the permit, all other traffic and parking regulations apply.

Approximate cost

• 2019: $26.50 per year

Approximate timeline

• the approval of a completed application form with permit fee

Permit requirements

Residents residing within an existing Guest Parking Permit Zone must complete an application form and provide evidence including:

• that they reside in the designated area (in the form of official documents); and,
• that there is insufficient parking at their place of residence to provide short-period guest parking during the time-restricted on-street parking periods (for tenants, a letter from a landlord may also be required).

The number of Guest Parking Permits issued per residence per year is dependent on the Guest Parking Permit Zone.  The permit(s) shall be issued or renewed annually.

The permits must be retained by the resident and distributed to their guests for use only during the guest visit. Failure to retain the permits may result in the revoking of the permit(s) by the City.

Residents wishing to establish a new Guest Parking Permit Zone must submit their request by contacting 3-1-1.  Staff will consult with the resident and will conduct a review of the request to determine whether the area meets the necessary criteria to proceed with an application process for a Guest Parking Permit Zone.

Who to contact

Please visit a Client Service Centre or call 3-1-1.

Where to apply

Visit a Client Service Centre

Due to the temporary closure of the Client Service Centre, all questions about On-Street Parking Permits or On-Street Parking Permit refunds can be directed to parking.operations@ottawa.ca.

The purpose of the Residential Parking Permit Program is to provide eligible residents and their out-of-town visitors in defined areas with special privileges related to parking on designated portions of a street or streets in that area.  In general, the permit allows those eligible to park for periods in excess of the otherwise stipulated parking period for their street(s), and to be exempt from the overnight parking ban during the winter months, subject to some limitations and conditions.   

Cost

The fees below are in effect as of April 1, 2019. Residents may visit any Client Service Centre to purchase an on-street parking permit. Refunds will not be issued for a period of less than 30 days before the expiry date. The cost of a replacement permit is $11.00 plus HST.

• The summer monthly permit will be available from April to November for $31.50 + HST per month 
• The winter monthly permit will be available from December to March for $146 + HST per month 
• The annual permit for on-street parking is $673 +HST.
• Beginning in April 2016, residents have the option to pay for an annual permit with pre-authorized equalized monthly payments (Note. The pre-authorized monthly payment option for annual permits is only available at the City Hall Client Service Centre located at 110 Laurier Avenue West). Please note clients cannot cancel a permit purchased with pre-authorized monthly payments, for any reason.

Special privileges and conditions for residential parking permits

The following special privileges and conditions shall apply to permit holders with respect to parking on streets or portions of streets designated as Residential Parking Permit Zones and defined with signs bearing the words "Permit Holders Exempted": 

1. Permit holders may park the vehicle in respect of which the permit was issued, on a street in the defined permit parking area as indicated on the permit, up to 48 hours without moving the vehicle.
2. Permit holders may park their vehicle overnight and are exempt from the winter overnight parking ban between November 15 and April 1 of each year. However, we encourage residents to remove cars from the street during a winter overnight parking ban to allow snow and ice clearing operations to effectively plow residential streets. Free off-street parking is available in all city-owned parking garages during a winter overnight parking ban.
3. Permit holders do not have any exclusive rights over any specific on-street parking spaces or block faces within their applicable zone.
4. When temporary "No Parking" signs are placed by the Corporation of the City of Ottawa (typically placed in snow banks to allow road maintenance activities including snow removal, or for special events), permit holders shall remove their vehicles from these streets and the permits are not valid until such time as the temporary signs are removed.
5. Other than the special on-street parking privileges specified by the permit, all other traffic and parking regulations will apply.

Eligibility and validity previsions for residential parking permit issuance

The following application, eligibility and validity provisions shall apply:

1. The applicant must complete an application form and provide evidence:
   1. that they reside in the designated area (in the form of official documents);
   2. that they do not have access to off-street parking; and,
   3. that they have a need for on-street parking (for tenants, a letter from a landlord may also be required).
2. The licence and registration of the vehicle for which on-street parking is requested must match the name and address cited on the permit application, except for students of a post-secondary educational institution, with a valid student identification card, who are not the registered vehicle owner, who are eligible if they submit a letter from a parent or legal guardian who is the registered vehicle owner.
3. Applicants may apply for and receive permits for more than one vehicle per address in areas where permits are available, provided there is no waiting list.
4. The permit parking privileges are assigned only to the permit area for which the permit was issued, and only to the vehicle for which it was issued.
5. Should a vehicle’s licence plate number change during the permit validity period, it is the responsibility of the permit holder to notify the City and to request a replacement permit. An administrative fee will apply in accordance with the fee schedule in effect at the time. 

Required documentation

Tenants:

A person who rents property must complete an application for an On-Street Monthly Parking Permit and submit it to Client Service Centre staff with:

1. a copy of their lease or rental agreement for the address listed on the application
2. a letter from the landlord or rental office confirming that the tenant does not have off-street parking
3. vehicle registration bearing the name and address of the tenant applicant; the vehicle licence and registration for which on-street parking is requested must match the name and address cited on the permit application, except if the vehicle is owned by a person other than the tenant applicant. In this case, the tenant applicant must also submit a letter or leasing document from the vehicle owner specifying that the owner authorizes use of the vehicle by the tenant applicant.

Homeowners:

A homeowner must provide Client Service Centre staff with a copy of a tax or utility bill in his or her name at the address listed on the application and vehicle registration bearing their listed address. If the homeowner applicant does not own the vehicle, that person must submit a letter or leasing document from the vehicle owner specifying that the owner authorizes use of the vehicle by the homeowner applicant.

Where can I obtain a permit?

On-Street Monthly Parking Permits can be obtained at any of the City of Ottawa Client Service Centres. 

Beginning in April 2016, residents have the option to pay for an annual permit with pre-authorized equalized monthly payments (Note. The pre-authorized monthly payment option for annual permits is only available at the City Hall Client Service Centre located at 110 Laurier Avenue West.)  Please note clients cannot cancel a permit purchased using pre-authorized monthly payments for any reason.

“’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

PERMIT PARKING REGULATIONS – OTTAWA

1. For the purposes of this schedule:
   1. "daytime" means the period of time from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. of the same day, and
   2. "overnight" means the period from 7 p.m. of one day to 7 a.m. 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. Refund instructions:
    If a refund is required, the permit must be returned and proof of payment provided. There is an administrative fee for processing a refund.
    
    Mail or deliver your permit with proof of payment to:
      Client Service Centre
      110 Laurier Avenue West
      Ottawa, ON K1P 1J1

The purpose of the Special Event Parking Permit is to provide short-term on-street parking privileges under special circumstances typically for only infrequent not-for-profit or charitable events at locations such as schools, places of worship, and other institutions.  In general, permits are issued to provide patrons some relief from time-restriction regulations when a special parking longer-duration demand is anticipated that cannot be accommodated off-street.

The permit is intended to allow patrons of a limited range of non-commercial special events to park longer than is otherwise permitted on specified streets.  It is not intended to provide any special privilege with respect to metered parking, loading zones, no stopping zones, or other parking-restricted areas.

Approximate cost

• 2019: $26.50 (per event per area) 

Approximate timeline

• Upon the approval of a completed application form with permit fee

Permit requirements

The applicant must complete an application form and state the reasons why the permit is required and needed including:

• the nature of the special event;
• the date(s), time of day, and duration;
• the number of available off-street parking spaces;
• the approximate number of on-street parking spaces required;
• That alternative off-street means of providing the required temporary parking were sought by the applicant but found to be unavailable; and,
• That means to reduce vehicle demand such as the promotion of walking, cycling, transit use, ridesharing were considered.

The applicant must be either the property owner where the special event is to be located or be the event manager/organizer authorized by the owner.

Events related to retailing or other commercial activities shall not be eligible.

Who to contact

Please visit a Client Service Centre or call 3-1-1.

Where to apply

Visit a Client Service Centre

The purpose of the Special Event Parking Permit Funeral is to provide short-term on-street parking privileges for funerals.  In general, permits are issued to provide patrons some relief from time-restriction regulations when a special parking longer-duration demand is anticipated that cannot be accommodated off-street.

The permit is intended to allow patrons of a funeral to park longer than is otherwise permitted on specified streets.  It is not intended to provide any special privilege with respect to metered parking, loading zones, no stopping zones, or other parking-restricted areas.

Approximate cost

• 2019: No cost 

Approximate timeline

• Upon the approval of a completed application form

Permit requirements

The applicant must complete an application form and state the reasons why the permit is required and needed including:

• the date(s), time of day, and duration;
• the number of available off-street parking spaces;
• the approximate number of on-street parking spaces required;

The applicant must be an authorized agent of the location of the funeral

Who to contact

Please visit a Client Service Centre or call 3-1-1.

Where to apply

Visit a Client Service Centre

 The purpose of the Temporary Consideration Parking Permit is to provide short-term on-street parking privileges under special circumstances. In general, permits are issued in circumstances when off-street parking spaces are displaced temporarily such as during off-street construction when a property’s parking spaces may be occupied with construction activities or garbage dumpsters. Permits may be issued for both residential and non-residential uses. The intent of this permit is to provide relief from parking regulations for infrequent and unavoidable circumstances when off-street parking is temporarily unavailable.

Approximate cost

As of April 1, 2019, the fees are:

• Summer (April-Nov): $31.50 + HST per month (per vehicle)
• Winter (Dec-Mar): $146 + HST per month (per vehicle)

*Please note that permits are generally issued for up to two weeks per permit. The fees are adjusted at time of purchase to reflect this.

Approximate timeline

• Upon the approval of a completed application form with permit fee

Permit requirements

The applicant must complete an application and state the reasons why the permit is required and needed including:

• The number of usually available off-street parking spaces;
• The number of off-street parking spaces temporarily displaced;
• The nature of the off-street activities that will temporarily displace parking (such as driveway modifications, parking area modifications, yard renovations, home renovations, or moving activities); and,
• That alternative off-street means of providing the required temporary parking were sought by the applicant but found to be unavailable.

The applicant must be the property owner or authorized property manager.

Who to contact or where to apply

Please visit a Client Service Centre or call 3-1-1.

Visitor's parking permits are available only for use in Residential Parking Permit Zones by out-of-town non-residents (residing 30 km or more outside the Nation Capital Region/City of Ottawa) for a maximum of two weeks. If a visitor wishes to extend his or her visit, then he or she must purchase a regular On-Street Parking Permit.

The Visitor Parking Permit Applicant must be the resident who must make the application on behalf of his or her visitor.  The applicant or host must provide:

• Proof of residency – copy of lease if renting, or tax bill if property owner
• Copy of visitor’s vehicle registration. If the vehicle registration does not show the visitor's address, then the applicant must also provide the visitor’s driver’s licence for proof of non-residency.

As of  April 01, 2019, the fees are:

• Residential Visitor Parking (no refunds) per week or less
  • $8.00 +HST (summer:  April - Nov); 
  • $36.50 +HST (Winter: Dec – Mar)
• Residential Visitor Parking (no refunds) up to 2 weeks
  • $15.75 +HST (Summer:  April - Nov);
  • $73.00 +HST (winter (Dec – Mar)

These can be obtained at any City of Ottawa Client Service Centre.

For further information, call 3-1-1.

The purpose of the Volunteer Parking Permit is to provide special short-term parking privileges for volunteers who are volunteer drivers for a non-profit or charity organization. The card is essentially a permit that allows drivers to temporarily park on-street in “Loading” or signed “No Parking” zones. It is not intended to provide any special privilege with respect to metered parking or other parking-restricted areas.

Permit holders are allowed to stop, for purposes of delivery, pick-up, or loading, for: (i) up to fifteen (15) minutes in a "No Parking Zone"; or (ii) up to fifteen (15) minutes in a "Loading Zone".

Approximate cost

• No cost

Approximate timeline

• Upon the approval of a completed application form

Permit requirements

Permit applications must be completed by the local agency which must be a registered charity in Ontario. The Volunteer Parking Permit(s) are then issued to that agency for assignment to their drivers. Agencies will be issued permits that include the driver’s licence plate number. Once issued, the agency will be responsible for the permit.

Who to contact

Client Services: considerationpermits@ottawa.ca

Where to apply

Visit a Client Service Centre

The purpose of the City of Ottawa Musician and Artist Loading Permit is to give frequent live music venues the ability to provide special short-term parking privileges to vehicles loading music and/or artistic equipment in or out of the permit holding venue.

Each permit card will allow drivers to temporarily park on-street in a “Loading Zone” or signed “No Parking Zone” with the ability to leave vehicles displaying the Musician and Artist Loading Permit unattended and/or inactive for up to 15 minutes at a time, in addition to the time spent actively loading/un-loading the vehicle.

The Program is intended as a remedial measure at venues that do not have adequate off-street loading and unloading areas. It is applicable across the City, where defined Loading or No Parking zones exist along the street. It is not intended to provide any special privilege with respect to metered parking or other parking-restricted areas.

Approximate cost

2019: $50 per year

Approximate timeline

Upon the approval of a completed application form with permit fee.

Permit requirements

Applicants are required to complete an application form and provide proof of their eligibility by describing in writing that they are venues hosting 15 or more live music events throughout the year. Live music is defined as an active performance of music by an individual (or individuals) who, at the time of and during performance, creates music or engages in an audible form of artistic expression. This includes the manipulation of instruments, DJ equipment, electronic music production and/or vocals..

Who to Contact

Please visit a Client Service Centre or call 3-1-1.

Where to apply

Visit a Client Service Centre