Council votes to increase parking fines in Kitchener

For the first time in more than 15 years, Kitchener is increasing its parking fines. CTV’s Karis Mapp has more on how much drivers may have to cough up.

Fines are going up for drivers who park illegally on Kitchener streets.

City council voted unanimously in favour of the staff recommendation at Monday night’s committee meeting.

The majority of fines will increase by $10, including those for parking on private property or in a no parking zone.

Other safety violations, such as parking in front of a fire hydrant or along a fire route, will also incur a larger fee.

The biggest increase will be for parking illegally in an accessible space. Drivers will be ticketed an extra $100, bringing the total fine to $400.

“We want to make sure that those who have accessibility needs are getting the parking spots they need,” Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic said.

Staff said they’ve seen a substantial increase in the number of parking complaints since 2017.

In that year, the city received 7,826 complaints and issued almost 62,000 tickets, compared to 2024 when they received 17,162 complaints and issued over 67,000 tickets.

“There is some proactive enforcement in areas like the downtown and so on, but in other parts of the city it’s on a complaint basis,” explained Vrbanovic. “We’ve seen a marked increase over the last five years. In fact, over 50 per cent, in terms of complaints. Some people would argue that part of that is the fines really weren’t a deterrent anymore.”

The proposed increases would also align Kitchener’s parking fines with neighbouring municipalities.

The staff report also said the city has not had an increase since 2008.

The motion on parking fines will be ratified at a council meeting on June 23.