Thousands of drivers ticketed for parking infractions in ByWard Market area so far this year

Bylaw Services officers are issuing dozens of tickets a day to vehicles violating parking rules in Ottawa’s ByWard Market area. CTV’s Austin Lee has more.

Bylaw Services officers are issuing dozens of tickets a day to vehicles violating parking rules in Ottawa’s ByWard Market area, with York Street and George Street the hot spots for parking violations.

Some business owners and residents have raised concerns about bylaw enforcement in the popular tourist destination, including targeting delivery drivers dropping off food and packages to restaurants.

Statistics provided to CTV News Ottawa show 9,225 parking tickets were issued on ByWard Market Square, Clarence Street, George Street, Murray Street, St. Patrick Street and York Street between Jan. 1 and June 2. The city notes the data for the number of tickets issued is for each street “in its entirety,” with Clarence Street, Murray Street, St. Patrick Street and York Street extending east of King Edward Avenue into Lowertown.

A total of 25,837 tickets were issued on the streets in all of 2023, while 30,681 parking tickets were issued on the streets in 2024.

York Street is the place drivers are most likely to get a parking ticket in the ByWard Market area, with 3,654 parking tickets issued so far this year. Bylaw Services officers have issued 2,297 parking tickets to vehicles on George Street and 1,256 parking tickets to drivers on Clarence Street.

A total of 991 parking tickets have been issued in the first five months of the year to vehicles illegally parked on ByWard Market Square, the two-block road between George Street and Clarence Street that’s next to the ByWard Market building.

The director of Bylaw Services says parking control officers “proactively and regularly address” parking issues in the ByWard Market.

“The ByWard Market is an important destination for residents and tourists alike. Parking enforcement is conducted to address the safety and mobility of traffic, as well as to ensure business remains accessible for everyone,” Roger Chapman, director of Bylaw Services, said in a statement.

“Due to the density of the ByWard Market and the competitive nature of parking, parking control officers proactively and regularly address issues of misuse of parking spaces throughout the week, and especially during peak times when the market is busiest.”

• Motorists will have to pay to park on Ottawa streets till 7:30 p.m. in ByWard Market and Little Italy

Drivers must pay to park at parking meters in the ByWard Market area between 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Monday to Saturday. Parking at on-street meters in the market area is free on Sundays, but motorists must follow the two-hour time limits.

In September, the City of Ottawa will be extending paid parking in the ByWard Market and Little Italy area to 7:30 p.m. Monday to Saturday. A staff proposal to charge for on-street parking on Sundays was rejected by the public works and infrastructure committee.

Here is a look at parking tickets issued to vehicles in the ByWard Market area in 2023, 2024 and 2025.

2025 – (Jan. 1 to June 2)

Total: 9,226 tickets

• ByWard Market Square: 991 tickets
• Clarence Street: 1,256 tickets
• George Street: 2,297 tickets
• Murray Street: 957 tickets
• St. Patrick Street: 70 tickets
• York Street: 3,654 tickets

2024 – Jan. 1 to Dec. 31

Total: 30,681 tickets

• ByWard Market Square: 3,117 tickets
• Clarence Street: 4,828 tickets
• George Street: 8,828 tickets
• Murray Street: 2,952 tickets
• St. Patrick Street: 300 tickets
• York Street:10,656 tickets

2023 – Jan. 1 to Dec. 31

Total: 25,837 tickets

• ByWard Market Square: 2,672 tickets
• Clarence Street: 3,309 tickets
• George Street: 6,611 tickets
• Murray Street: 2,836 tickets
• St. Patrick Street: 257 tickets
• York Street: 10,152 tickets