When does the City of Ottawa issue winter weather parking bans?

Here to tell us what we can expect this season is Bryden Denyes and Dylan Proulx.

The City of Ottawa is reminding drivers to pay attention for possible winter weather parking bans this winter during heavy snowfall events.

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.

Ottawa’s area manager of Road Services Bryden Denyes and Bylaw Services supervisor Dylan Proulx spoke with CTV’s Your Morning Ottawa on Monday to discuss what you need to know about the winter weather parking bans.

What is a winter weather parking ban?

The City of Ottawa may call a winter weather parking ban when Environment Canada’s forecast calls for seven centimetres of snow or more.

“What we look at is whenever Environment Canada forecasts seven centimetres or more snow accumulation, we would look at calling a parking ban,” Denyes said.

“It could be daytime or nighttime, but it really depends on those conditions.”

When would a winter weather parking ban be called?

The City of Ottawa has established set times to declare both daytime and nighttime parking bans.

Nighttime winter weather parking bans are called by 9 a.m. on the day the ban is scheduled to go into effect. During a nighttime ban, street parking is prohibited between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m.

Daytime winter weather parking bans are called by 3:30 p.m. on the day before the ban is scheduled to go into effect. During a daytime ban, street parking is prohibited between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.

Why does the City of Ottawa call a winter weather parking ban?

Denyes says a winter weather parking ban allows crews to clear snow faster.

“For us, in the operations side, vehicles off the roads is very important to us; it allows us to get through our beats,” Denyes said.

“So, residents really need to look out for the winter weather parking bans when they are called. Even if they’re not called, any time we do have snow, it’s always really appreciated when people can move their vehicles.

“Vehicles moved off the road help a lot; we can get through. It makes it easier for our teams that are out there, which means we get our roads plowed much faster. When we do put on a winter weather parking ban, we work with our bylaw colleagues to help support our operations.”

Enforcement of the winter weather parking ban

Proulx says Bylaw Services works with Road Services staff to enforce the winter weather parking bans on municipal streets.

“When it is called, it is an unsigned offence, and it is city-wide,” Proulx told CTV’s Your Morning Ottawa.

“We want to remind residents that when it is called to avoid parking on city streets, otherwise they may be ticketed and, in some cases, towed.”

Vehicles parked on a street during a winter weather parking ban may receive a ticket.

“During a winter weather parking ban, tickets would be issued to vehicles located on the street,” Proulx said.

“I do recommend residents to go on to Ottawa.ca, for those that do park on the street regularly, there is a list of alternative parking available such as select commercial main streets that are not part of the parking ban, as well as city parking garages, select Park and Ride locations and other city lots.”

Are there exemptions to the winter weather parking bans?

Yes, drivers with on-street parking permits are exempt from the winter weather parking bans and are allowed to park their vehicles on the streets during the ban.

Temporary parking bans during the storm cleanup

Proulx says Bylaw Services and Road Services staff may put temporary parking restrictions in place following storms to allow crews to remove snowbanks.

Signs will be placed in the snowbank on streets, where operations are scheduled to take place before the cleanup begins.

“This is a signed offence and that would be for snow removal operations,” Proulx said.

“It is not city-wide; you’ll see a few streets at a time with those signs and that is when vehicles would be ticketed and relocated to a street that is not being cleared at that time.”

Permit holders are not exempt from parking on streets during snow removal operations.

Where to park during a winter parking ban

The City of Ottawa says some commercial main streets will be exempt from the winter parking bans.

You can also park at the following OC Transpo Park and Ride locations:

• Riverview at Earl Armstrong
• Innovation at Innovation Drive
• Chapel Hill
• Nepean Woods at Strandherd Drive
• Greenboro
• Leitrim
• Eagleson

Other temporary parking locations during a winter weather parking ban:

• Richelieu Vanier Community Centre
• Louis Kemp Arena
• W. Erskine Johnson Arena
• Cardelrec Recreation Complex Goulbourn
• Ron Kolbus Lakeside Centre
• Pinecrest Recreation Complex
• Nepean Sportsplex
• Greenboro Library
• Earl Armstrong Area
• Dr. John Hopps Park
• Sunnyside Library
• Jim Durrell Recreation Complex
• Osgoode Community Centre and Stuart Holmes Arena
• Manotick Library
• Fred Barrett Arena
• Hazeldean Library
• Hunt Club-Riverside Park Community Centre
• Sandy Hill Arena
• Ruth E. Dickinson Library
• Tony Graham Recreation Complex
• Minto Recreation Complex
• Ray Friel Recreation Complex
• Tom Brown Arena
• Strathcona Park
• Jules Morin Park
• Centrepointe Park