Overnight parking ban now in effect: Key rules and exceptions you need to know

A snow plow clears a road following a major dumping of snowfall in Barrie, Ont. (CTV News/Steve Mansbridge)

Overnight parking rules officially take effect Monday in Barrie, marking the start of the city’s winter restrictions designed to keep streets clear for plows and emergency vehicles.

The City of Barrie says these rules remain in place every year from Dec. 1 to March 31, and residents should take a moment to review what is and isn’t allowed, especially after a Winter Maintenance Event was declared last week, which triggered early enforcement.

Under the Overnight Parking Bylaw, motorists cannot park on city streets between 12:01 a.m. and 7 a.m. from December through March. The exception is the downtown BIA, where the no-parking window runs 3 a.m. to 6 a.m.

Exceptions

The City offers free two-hour on-street parking all this month to support local businesses during the holiday season.

“The City of Barrie offers this annual initiative to encourage residents and visitors to explore shops, restaurants, and services in our community,” the City emphasized.

Residents are also allowed overnight street parking on Dec. 25, Dec. 26 and Jan. 1, as long as no Winter Maintenance Event is declared by 4 p.m. the day before.

The City notes these exceptions can be cancelled if snow or freezing rain is expected, since crews may need to treat or clear roads during those hours.

Winter Maintenance Event

A Winter Maintenance Event can be declared at any point in the season, even outside the usual Dec. 1–March 31 window, whenever conditions require plowing, salting, sanding, or other winter operations.

On Thursday, the city declared one for the period of Nov. 28–30, which meant the overnight parking ban took effect several days early.

Parking Lots

Separate rules also apply to waterfront and hybrid parking lots.

According to the City of Barrie, parking is not allowed from 12:01 a.m. to 5 a.m. in the Spirit Catcher lot, Lakeshore Drive lots, North Marina lot, and any waterfront on-street spaces. These restrictions have no exceptions, including holidays.

City officials say the fixed dates remove any confusion about when enforcement begins and help avoid missed last-minute notifications. Winter weather in Barrie can change quickly, and set timelines ensure crews can work safely and efficiently whenever snow, ice, or squalls hit.