$1.6 million in fines issued during Ottawa’s winter parking bans

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 Services officers have buried motorists in parking tickets during heavy snowfall events so far this winter, issuing $1.6 million in fines to drivers illegally parked on city streets during parking bans.

The City of Ottawa has issued three winter weather parking bans this winter to assist with snow-clearing operations.

The city may declare a winter weather parking ban when seven centimetres of snow or more are in the forecast. Staff say any vehicle that does not have an on-street parking permit and remains parked on the street may receive a ticket.

Statistics provided to CTV News Ottawa show 15,484 parking tickets have been issued during the three winter weather parking bans in December and January.

Bylaw officers issued 4,405 tickets during the overnight winter weather parking on Jan. 15 after the biggest snowfall of the season. A total of 6,900 tickets were issued during the daytime winter weather parking ban on Jan. 11, and 4,179 tickets were issued during the overnight winter weather parking ban on Dec. 10.

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

“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,” Roger Chapman, director of Bylaw Services, said in a statement on Friday.

“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. 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.”

Chapman said officers will follow up with drivers that were “plowed in to ensure they are moved for future snow-clearing operations and to keep streets clear.”

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. A total of 11,649 tickets were issued during the three winter weather parking bans during the winter of 2023-24.