Ottawa issues over $430,000 in fines for violating winter weather parking ban

A parking ticket is seen on the windshield of a car in Ottawa, Ont. (CTV News Ottawa)

Parking tickets landed on the windshields of hundreds of vehicles illegally parked on Ottawa streets during this week’s winter storm.

The City of Ottawa issued a winter weather parking ban between 7 p.m. Wednesday and 7 a.m. Thursday to assist with snow clearing operations following the winter storm that hit the national capital region.

Bylaw Services tells CTV News Ottawa that officers issued 4,179 tickets for violating the 12-hour parking ban.

“The number of tickets issued last night is consistent with previous years,” Roger Chapman, director of Bylaw and Regulatory Services, said in a statement.

“This figure can vary throughout the winter due to several factors, including the length of the ban and whether it occurs overnight or during the day.”

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

The city may declare a winter weather parking ban when seven centimetres or more of snow is in the forecast. Only vehicles with on-street parking permits are permitted to park on city streets during the parking ban.

“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,” Chapman said.

“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.”

Bylaw Services officers issued 16,053 tickets to vehicles parking on city streets during the three winter weather parking bans during the winter of 2024-25.