Parking

Apply for Permit Parking

A residential on-street permit entitles permit holding residents to park their vehicles on the street within a specified area exclusively during permit parking hours. This program is designed to service those in low-rise residential areas where driveways and/or garages are uncommon. The online renewal option is now available for on-street parking permits.

Note: Permit parking is not available to apartment building or condo residents.

How Permit Parking is Implemented

Permit parking is implemented on either a street-name basis, where parking is restricted to one specific street, or on an area-basis, where a number of streets have been grouped into permit areas to maximize the available parking.

• In area-based permit parking, residents may park on any licenced street within their permit area but are not guaranteed a parking space on their specific street.
• Area-based permit parking provides greater flexibility by enabling permit holders to park not only on their licenced street but on other licenced streets within their area should space not be available on the street where they live.
• Within each permit area there may be significant differences in the operating hours of the permit parking program. For example, in the Toronto community, there are currently over 70 unique combinations of permit parking operating hours developed over time in consultation with area Councillors and community representatives in response to specific concerns, e.g., long-term non-resident parking. These operating hours are clearly posted at regular intervals on each street licenced for permit parking within the area. Email or visit the Permit Parking office if you would like a boundary map of your permit parking area.

Restrictions/Exemptions for Permit Parking Holders

A permit holder who parks on a street authorized for permit parking must park in a legal space during licenced parking hours shown on the signs on the street. Though subject to other existing traffic regulations, 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. The permit parking by-law is enforced by Toronto Police Services, Parking Enforcement Unit. Contravention of the by-law may result in losing your permit parking privilege.

• Where Permit Parking signs and Pay & Display signs co-exist, a valid permit holder will not be required to pay the meter or parking machine.
• A vehicle with a valid permit which remains parked in the same location on the street for more than seven consecutive days may be tagged and towed at the owners’ expense.
• Where there is a change in parking from one side of the street to the other side, a permit holder shall be given a grace period to move their vehicle from 9:00 p.m. the previous night to 9:00 a.m. the next morning on changeover days.
• For a permit to remain in effect, it must be visible and affixed to the lower windshield on the driver’s side, and the vehicle registration and licence plate must remain valid as per Service Ontario requirements.

Replacement Vehicle

If your automobile is being repaired and temporarily replaced, and you wish to park your replacement vehicle on the street, you can go to the Permit Parking office and obtain a no-charge short-term temporary parking permit for up to two weeks. You will be required to present the permit holder’s driver’s licence, proof of replacement vehicle can be any of the following: police report indicating accident or theft, collision/accident report indicating your vehicle was in an accident, fax/letter from insurance company/manufacturer or dealership stating your vehicle is being repaired/there is a recall, body/repair shop or dealership letter/invoice indicating anticipated repair completion date. For longer-term repairs/replacements, you are required to provide the licence plate of the replacement vehicle. If you require clarification of your circumstances, please contact the permit parking office by phone at 416-392-7873 or by email at [email protected]

Requesting a Permit Parking Area

Permit Parking can be a highly sensitive local issue. If you would like to request a change to permit parking, this will require a petition from most households on the street(s). Please contact our office so we can give you the correct wording for your petition and tell you which households on the street should be petitioned. It is important that the wording is correct to ensure that everyone who signs a petition understands what they agree to and that staff clearly understand how to turn the petition into the correct language for a by-law.

City Council has delegated enacting of most parking regulations to community councils; Ward 13 falls within the Toronto and East York Community Council.

Learn more about on-street residential parking.

Report Illegal Parking

As the heartbeat of our bustling city, Toronto Centre is a vibrant mix of downtown living, business and culture. One of the consequences of this success is traffic congestion. The constant flow of people, vehicles and ongoing construction projects make it crucial for us to collectively address factors contributing to congestion, such as illegal parking.

Illegal parking impedes the smooth flow of traffic and creates unnecessary bottlenecks. It both frustrates commuters and poses safety hazards that affect emergency response times. Recognizing the negative impacts of illegal parking on our community, we encourage all residents to report such activity.

Instructions to Report Illegal Parking:

The Parking Enforcement Unit of the Toronto Police Service is responsible for maintaining adequate traffic flow and ensuring public safety throughout the City of Toronto.

Before reporting, gather essential details about the illegal parking incident. Note the date, time and location, and any specific information about the vehicle, such as the make, model, colour and license plate number.

Choose Your Reporting Method:

The City of Toronto offers multiple avenues for reporting illegal parking: 

1. Online Reporting: Visit the official Toronto Police Services website and use the online reporting form specifically designed for reporting parking violations.  Illegal Off-street parking can be reported through the 311 website.  
2. Phone Reporting: Please call the Toronto Police non-emergency line at 416-808-2222. You may also report illegal off-street parking by calling 311. 

Provide Comprehensive Information:

When reporting, ensure you provide as much detail as possible. Clearly articulate the location, time, nature of the violation, and vehicle details. Including photographic evidence, if safely possible, can strengthen your report.

Follow-up on Your Report:

After submitting your report, stay informed about its status. Utilize any reference numbers provided to track the progress of your complaint. This proactive approach ensures that your concern is being addressed.

Common Types of Illegal Parking Offences: Know What to Report

Toronto Centre, with its dynamic city life, often witnesses various parking violations that contribute to traffic congestion and safety concerns. Here are some frequently observed violations.

Parking Violation Dispute Process

Did you receive a yellow parking violation notice? You have two options, pay your parking violation or dispute it.

The City’s process to dispute parking violations – the Administrative Penalty System (APS) – makes requesting a review faster, easier and more convenient.

Pay Your Parking Violation

Pay your parking violation online, by mail, or in person.

Once a full or partial payment is made either to the City of Toronto, or at Service Ontario, the matter is considered resolved and will not be reviewed. This includes payments made to pending screening decisions.

Your Dispute Options

Parking violations can be disputed online or in-person by appointment only.

You can request a review within 15 days of receiving your parking violation notice. If you missed this deadline, you can request an extension.

If you request a review, do not pay your parking violation until a screening officer has made a Decision. Payment made before a Screening Review will void your review because your case will be considered resolved.

Please note that screening decisions will no longer be provided immediately after an in-person meeting. Instead, you will be emailed a decision with the review outcome.