Parking and permits

In Waterloo, you can park for free on residential streets for up to 3 hours unless signs say differently. 

Overnight parking (between 2:30 and 6 a.m.) is not allowed unless you register your vehicle.

To report a parking issue, call 519-747-8785 or submit a complaint online.

The City of Waterloo does not send notices about outstanding fines or tickets by text message. If you have questions about tickets or fines call 519-747-8785.

On this page

1. Register for overnight parking
2. Free parking uptown
3. Temporary on street parking permit
4. Paid monthly permits
5. Longer stay paid parking
6. Accessible parking
7. Bike parking

Register for overnight parking by 2:15 a.m.

You can leave a vehicle in a legal parking spot overnight up to 15 times/year. This includes city streets and these uptown lots:

• Station Lot (free)
• Waterloo Town Square North Lot (free)
• Waterloo Town Square South Lot (free)

You must register by 2:15 a.m. on the night of the exemption. Unregistered vehicles left on streets and lots between 2:30 and 6 a.m. will be ticketed. 

Register your vehicle

Free parking uptown

In general there is 2-hour free parking on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Evenings and weekends are free. You need to register for overnight parking to leave your car in a designated lot between 2:30 and 6 a.m.

Use our parking map to find free and permit parking in uptown lots.

Temporary on street parking permit

There is a limit of 3 hours of free parking on residential streets where parking is allowed unless signs say differently.

If your residential driveway is unavailable for use due to non-city related work, you can purchase a temporary on-street parking permit. Permits will not be issued due to a lack of available parking on site.

Fee

The cost is $7.25 a day or $41.25 a month. Contractors can purchase a temporary on-street parking permit for $7.25 a day or $67 a month. All fees are per vehicle and do not include tax.

Payment is only accepted by cash, cheque or debit, and can only be made at the Service Centre. If paying by cheque it must be made out to "City of Waterloo".

Getting your permit

Staff require a minimum of three business days to process on-street parking permits. To get your permit you will need to:

1. Contact our Service Centre at traffic@waterloo.ca to purchase your permit with details of:
   • the work onsite
   • the vehicle's make
   • the vehicle's model
   • licence plate number
2. The permit can be only be picked up at the Service Centre between Monday and Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Note that during winter months permits may be denied due to winter maintenance concerns, are subject to review, and are not guaranteed to be granted.

Paid monthly parking permits

Monthly parking permits are available for purchase.

To register for a parking permit you must:

1. View our uptown parking map and choose your top 3 lots.
2. Indicate if you want day time parking only or night time parking as well.
3. Contact the city parking team at parking@waterloo.ca to confirm availability.
4. Our parking team will take you through the application process and confirm next steps.

To cancel a permit you must:

1. Return your rear view mirror hang tag permit to Waterloo City Hall.
2. If paying by pre-authorized payment, you will  need to complete and submit the pre-authorized plan change form (PDF) when you return your tag permit.

 2025 parking rates

Longer stay paid parking

If you need to exceed the two hour free daytime limit in uptown, use the HonkMobile app to extend your parking time. The cost is $3.25/hour. The app registers your license plate with our enforcement staff, and can be used from anywhere. It is available at:

• Waterloo Town Square North Lot
• Waterloo Town Square South Lot
• Erb Lot (formerly called Museum Lot)
• Temporary Lot B
• Station Lot
• City Centre Lot

Accessible parking

Accessible parking permit holders are exempt from paying parking fees in municipal lots. Time limits and permit requirements still apply, such as needing a permit and displaying it. Learn more about getting an accessible parking permit from the province of Ontario.

Bike parking

Bike parking is on our cycling page.