Thousands of tickets issued during winter parking ban on Sunday

A parking ticket is seen on the windshield of a car in Ottawa, Ont. (CTV News Ottawa)

Bylaw Services officers buried vehicles in parking tickets during this weekend’s winter weather parking ban, issuing more than $720,000 fines to drivers illegally parking on city streets.

The City of Ottawa issued a winter weather parking ban on Sunday between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. to allow crews to clear the 10 centimetres of snow that fell Saturday night and Sunday morning.

Bylaw Services Director Roger Chapman told CTV News Ottawa that officers issued 6,900 tickets for violating the parking ban.

“Officers will follow up with owners of vehicles that were plowed in to ensure they are moved for future snow-clearing operations and to keep streets clear,” Chapman said in a statement.

“The safety of residents and visitors is the City’s priority, and we thank everyone for their co-operation when a winter parking ban is implemented.”

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

• City of Ottawa: Winter Weather Parking Bans

This was the second winter weather parking ban issued during the winter of 2025-26. Officers issued 4,179 tickets during a winter weather parking ban on Dec. 11-12.

The city may declare a winter weather parking ban when seven centimetres or more of snow is in the forecast. Only vehicles with on-street parking permits are permitted to park on city streets during the parking ban.

“The bans are enacted to help City crews efficiently clear snow from roads with the goal of making them as safe as possible for all road users,” Chapman said.

“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.

“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.”

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.