The Provincial Offences Act (POA) governs the administration and prosecution of non-criminal offences, which includes parking-related offences. These offences stem from the broader Highway Traffic Act (HTA) rules of the road and corresponding regulations that drivers must follow.

What is a parking infraction?

Under the POA, parking infraction means “any unlawful parking, standing or stopping of a vehicle that constitutes an offence.”

Part II of the POA provides the legal framework for how tickets are issued, disputed, and collected. It is under Part II that parking tickets are enforced by local municipality by-laws. These by-laws vary from municipality to municipality. An example of a municipality would be the City of Toronto.

Examples of provincial HTA parking rules and corresponding regulations include:

• Park on the right-hand side of the highway with wheels parallel and no more than 30 cm from the curb, and
• Avoid parking in designated restricted zones like transit stations, commuter lots, or provincial rest areas for extended periods

Common offences that can result in a parking ticket

Common parking infractions that stem from the HTA rules and regulations include:

• Parking or stopping on a roadway that interferes with traffic, blocks snow removal, or prevents drivers from having a clear view of the road
• Possessing or displaying illegal accessible parking permit
• Parking in a fire route,
• Parking at an expired meter
• Obstructing a private residence, sidewalk, walkway, fire hydrant
• Disobeying a sign at school
• Stopping a vehicle on part of highway where prohibited

Refer to the Ontario Regulations of the POA for a full list of parking infractions.

What are the penalties for a parking ticket?

The owner of a vehicle given a parking ticket is strictly liable for fines, which typically range from $50 to $500 plus administrative fees. The exact amount of the fine depends entirely on the city and the specific parking infraction because fines are set by individual municipalities rather than the province.

Parking tickets do not add demerit points to your driving record or affect insurance premiums.

How to pay your fine

To pay an Ontario parking ticket, visit the municipality’s official online payment portal (e.g., the City of Toronto Parking Violation site or the provincial Paytickets.ca portal) and search for your ticket using the violation number.

What is the difference between a traffic ticket and a parking ticket?

Unlike traffic tickets, which are moving violations, for example speeding, parking tickets are tied to the vehicle’s licence plate, not the driver, and are processed entirely under municipal Administrative Penalty Systems (APS) rather than through the traditional provincial courts.

Can you dispute a parking ticket?

You can generally dispute a ticket online or at a local administrative penalty office by requesting a review by a screening officer, though processing fees may apply. If you disagree with the result, you may be able to escalate the ticket to a hearing officer.

What happens if you don’t pay your parking ticket?

If you do not pay your fine or pay late, although your insurance rates or driver’s license status will not be affected,

• late fees may be added,
• municipalities can prevent you from renewing your vehicle permit/license plate sticker until the fines and collection fees are fully paid, and
• it may be sent to a collection agency

However, failing to pay will not result in a criminal record, arrest, or license suspension.

More information

For more information about parking tickets, including how to fight one, or how to pay a fine, refer to the legislation.

								
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