The City of Toronto provides residential parking permits in certain areas, so they may park their automobile on the street within a specified area exclusively during permit parking hours. This program generally services those residential areas where driveways and/or garages are not common. Permit holders generally have the privilege of parking their vehicles overnight and are exempt from the 1, 2, and 3 hour parking restrictions. Conversely, vehicles without parking permits may be tagged if parked in parking spaces designated for those with permits.
Currently, the program is in effect in the communities of the former cities of Toronto, East York, and York and to a limited extent Etobicoke. Expansion of the permit parking program citywide, is under consideration.
With the exception of the three week on-street parking permit renewal periods in May/June and November/December, on-street parking permits will no longer be sold from the York Civic Centre effective March 2, 2009. On-street permit parking services continue to be available at City Hall, East York Civic Centre and Etobicoke Civic Centre, between 8:30am and 4:15pm, Monday to Friday.
Two types of permits are available in most areas: 6 & 12 month term resident-only permits; and, temporary resident or visitor permits. More information about parking permits & fees.
Provided space is available, a temporary on-street parking permit may now be purchased on-line by residents and their visitors to park a motor vehicle on a street designated under the permit parking program. Using this on-line service, you will receive confirmation of the transaction and can print the permit yourself.
If you have difficulty walking, you can apply for a Accessible Parking Permit. The application form for the permit can be acquired from Ontario Ministry of Transportation by calling 416-235-2999. The eligibility of an applicant needs to be certified by a licensed chiropractor, physiotherapist, osteopathic physician or occupational therapist.
View the special parking regulations for vehicles diplaying the Accessible Parking Permit.
All drivers on delivery are advised to use "ON DELIVERY" signs as officers are informed to use discretion when a sign is displayed. Delivery drivers are responsible for their own parking requirements at/or within the vicinity of their place of business. All drivers are instructed to obtain legal parking whenever possible to maintain the flow of traffic.
A letter on letterhead (type) from head office noting the Parking Infraction Notice number and the fact that the vehicle was engaged in making a delivery at the time. The correspondence must be reviewed and signed by a senior official of the firm. Photocopies of signatures are not acceptable.
Proof of Toronto Cartage Licence Number*. This is required for courier drivers either picking up or dropping off in the City of Toronto. Courier companies with designated drivers for specific companies are required to provide letters of agreement in lieu of a cartage licence.
Original proof of delivery, i.e. waybill, invoice, delivery manifest must correspond to the location, time and date on the parking infraction notice.
Parking tickets considered for withdrawal are from parking in prohibited parking areas only. They are not exempt from rush hour routes, no standing/stopping zones, parking meters, private property or areas that impede vehicular/pedestrian traffic or emergency vehicles.
* For information regarding the Toronto Cartage Licence, contact the Toronto Licensing Commission at 416-392-3000.
Because many school groups travel into the core by bus, to attend cultural and sporting events in the central area, as well as many private groups on motor coach tours, the City of Toronto has identified approximately 90 parking spaces exclusively for use by buses in the downtown Core, surrounding Central Business District and Portlands areas.
Buses are allowed to park for durations ranging from a maximum of 1 hour up to a maximum of 24 hours. Traffic conditions dictate that some of these parking spaces are not available at all hours of the day. However, all spaces are offered free of charge to bus operators.
In addition to the exclusive parking spaces provided, buses can park in "pay and display" parking areas on City streets, provided adequate space is available and in accordance with any maximum time restrictions, rush hour parking prohibitions, etc. Drivers must purchase a ticket from a nearby machine located along the sidewalk and place the ticket face up on the dashboard or prominent location on the windshield of the bus.
Buses may legally "stop" to pick-up or drop-off passengers in any area where a "No Parking" or "No Standing" regulation is posted, provided the bus is actually engaged in this activity. A bus may not park in these areas and wait for groups to arrive.
For up-to-date parking by-law information in your area, please call Access Toronto at 416-338-0338 or email at accesstoronto@toronto.ca.
Consideration numbers are issued which permit withdrawal of infractions involving prohibited parking areas, expired meters, three hour limit or parking in excess of permitted time. You can call the Customer Service Section any time, seven days a week and leave a message and phone number where you can be reached during the day. Someone will return your call during business hours, Monday to Friday.
The Parking Tag Operations unit is able to deal with questions and concerns about parking tags by telephone, fax and mail. For example, obvious errors, on-street parking permits, Accessible parking permits, stolen vehicle and defective meter complaints.