Ottawa issues over $300,000 in fines for violating winter weather parking ban on Thursday

A ticket is tucked under the windshield wiper of a vehicle buried in snow that is parked illegally during a winter parking ban in Ottawa on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. (CTV News Ottawa)

Bylaw officers buried motorists in parking tickets for parking on Ottawa roads during the first winter weather parking ban of 2025, issuing more than $309,000 in fines on Thursday.

The City of Ottawa issued daytime winter weather parking bans between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, to allow crews to clear snow from roads and sidewalks. During a daytime winter weather parking ban, only motorists with on-street parking permits are allowed to park on city streets.

Bylaw Services tells CTV News Ottawa 2,950 tickets were issued to drivers for violating the parking ban on Thursday.

• City of Ottawa: What you need to know about winter parking

The fine for violating the winter weather parking ban is $125, with an early payment option of $105.

“During a winter weather parking ban, any vehicle that does not have an on-street parking permit and remains parked on the street is subject to receiving a ticket,” Roger Chapman, Director of Bylaw and Regulatory Services, told CTV News Ottawa in a statement. “This is the case regardless of whether the plow has passed, as it is possible that a second plow run is necessary. When the ban is lifted, vehicles may return to on-street parking.”

• Ottawa to see a one-day break from the snow, with 25 cm of snow expected this weekend

Ottawa received 32 cm of snow on Thursday.

The City of Ottawa may declare a winter weather parking ban when seven centimetres of snow or more are in the forecast.

“The bans are enacted to help City crews efficiently clear snow from roads with the goal of making them as safe as possible for all road users,” Chapman said.

“Parking bans in Ottawa are necessary for ensuring that roadways remain clear for various essential services, including snow removal, street cleaning, and emergency vehicle access.”

• ‘A lot of work to do’: Cleanup underway after biggest storm in 3 years hits Ottawa

In 2024, Bylaw Services issued 4,536 tickets for violating a winter weather parking ban on Jan. 10, and 3,374 tickets for violating a ban issued on Jan. 13. Officers issued 3,739 parking tickets during a winter weather parking ban on Dec. 4, 2023.