Winter Parking – November 15 to April 1
During the winter months, the City's snow-clearing teams are working to keep your roads safe and clear for motorists, public transit, pedestrians and cyclists.
- Winter overnight parking regulations
- Planned snow removal parking restrictions
- If you have been ticketed and towed, how to find your car
- On-street parking permit holders and winter
Be in the know about snow.
Sign up for Winter Parking e-Alerts to receive e-mail notification of overnight parking bans.
Follow the City of Ottawa Winter Parking Alerts on Twitter.
You can also find out if a winter overnight parking restriction is currently in effect by:
1. Going to the City's online newsroom for special advisories about on-street parking restrictions.
2. Calling 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-2401)
Winter overnight parking regulations
Winter overnight parking regulations are in effect throughout the city from November 15 to April 1, permitting the City to clear the way for you. This means that you cannot park on City streets between 1 a.m. and 7 a.m. when a snow accumulation of 7 cm or more is forecast by Environment Canada in the Ottawa area. This includes any forecast for a range of snow of more than 7 cm, for example 5 to 10 cm. Vehicles that remain parked on the street during an overnight parking restriction will be ticketed. On-street parking permit holders are exempt from this restriction.
When Environment Canada forecasts a snow accumulation of 7 cm or more, the City automatically initiates an enforcement of winter overnight parking restrictions. To inform residents and motorists, a special advisory is issued to the local media announcing that an overnight parking restriction is in effect. All special advisories are posted online in the City's newsroom. Enforcement of winter overnight parking restrictions will continue each evening until snow clearing is completed and the City issues a special advisory indicating that the overnight parking restriction has been lifted.
How can you find out if an overnight parking restriction is in effect?
- Sign up to receive e-mail or Twitter notifications of overnight parking restrictions. The service is free and you can unsubscribe anytime.
- Go to the City's online newsroom for special advisories about on-street parking restrictions.
- Call 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-2401).
- Tune in to local media for announcements about overnight parking restrictions.
- Check to see if a snowfall of 7 cm or more is forecast for Ottawa by visiting Environment Canada online or by calling 613-998-3439.
Planned snow removal parking restrictions | |||
Throughout the winter, snow removal may be planned during the day or night even when no snowfall is forecast. When crews plan to remove snow, they will post temporary "no parking" snow removal signs ahead of time alerting motorists when snow removal is planned and when parking is not permitted. Do not park where you see temporary "no parking" snow removal signs posted or your vehicle will be ticketed and towed to a nearby street. This restriction applies to all vehicles, including those with on-street parking permits. |
Temporary “No Parking” Snow Removal Signs | ||
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Daytime |
Nighttime | ||
If you have been ticketed and towed, how to find your car | |||
Towed vehicles are usually moved a few blocks to a nearby street where snow removal has already taken place. |
Street Parking Tip | ||
On-street parking permit holders and winter | |||
If you have an on-street parking permit, your vehicle is exempt from winter overnight parking restrictions that go into effect due to a weather forecast of 7 cm or more snow. During planned overnight snow removal, temporary "no parking" snow removal signs will be posted along streets to be cleared. This parking restriction applies to all vehicles, including vehicles with on-street parking permits. If you park your vehicle overnight on a street with temporary "no parking" snow removal signs, your vehicle will be ticketed and towed. For more information about winter overnight parking restrictions and planned snow removal, | |||
