Ottawa Bylaw Services is reminding drivers it’s a $500 fine for not having a valid accessible parking permit, after nearly a dozen permits were seized during a blitz. Officers visited several locations last week to check vehicles using accessible parking spots. In a post on social media, Bylaw Services said 11 accessible parking permits were seized by officers “for being misused, expired or fake.” “No valid permit? No excuse. The fine is $500,” Bylaw Services said. Ottawa Bylaw supervisor Dylan Proulx told CTV News Ottawa that of the 11 permits seized, seven were for misuse, three were expired, and one was fake. “Unfortunately, this is something we do see on a regular basis. The year to date so far in 2026, officers have issued 561 tickets for accessible parking permit violations,” he said. “Fake permits, unfortunately, are common. They’ll potentially take a valid permit and change the expiry date on the permit... we also see lots of copies. So, people will photocopy an accessible permit.” According to the City of Ottawa’s website, residents with temporary or permanent disabilities can obtain an application for an accessible parking permit by calling ServiceOntario or visiting a ServiceOntario office. The permit must be displayed on the dashboard or sun visor of a vehicle in a way that the permit number and expiry date are visible. “We do this enforcement for a reason,” Proulx said. “These spots are designed for individuals with a valid, accessible parking permit. And when we come across fake permits, expired permits, misuse of permits or no permit whatsoever, we will issue a ticket.” With files from CTV News Ottawa’s Dylan Dyson
