Parking rules and bylaws

Check parking rules for Waterloo streets, boulevards and winter conditions. Review parking fines and bylaws.

On this page:

  1. Report illegal or unsafe parking
  2. Street parking rules
  3. Winter parking
  4. Boulevard parking
  5. If you get a ticket
  6. Check parking fines
  7. Review parking bylaws
  8. Contact us

Report illegal or unsafe parking

If a vehicle is breaking parking rules or causing a safety concern, submit a complaint online or call 519-747-8785.

Street parking rules

Follow these rules when parking on residential streets in Waterloo:

  • park for free for up to 3 hours, unless signs say otherwise
  • no overnight parking from 2:30 to 6 a.m., unless you register in advance
  • no parking during snow events
  • don’t block sidewalks, driveways, hydrants, or fire routes
  • don’t park in an accessible space unless you have a permit
  • don’t park on boulevards or lawns

For more details, review our parking bylaws.

Winter parking

During a snow event, you cannot park on any city street or lot, even if you’re registered. Your vehicle may be ticketed or towed.

Boulevard parking

The boulevard is city property. Parking on the boulevard or overhanging it is not allowed, even if it’s paved as part of your driveway.

For more details, read the Traffic and Parking Bylaw.

If you get a parking ticket

You can either pay or dispute your ticket:

Check parking fines

Find the most common parking fines in this table. View the full list of fines (PDF).

Common parking fines
Parking violation Fine
Parking overnight (2:30 to 6 a.m.) $41.00
Parking more than 3 consecutive hours $41.00
Park within 3 metres of a fire hydrant $82.00
Parking outside of allowed times or areas $41.00
Parking overhanging a boulevard, sidewalk or trail $46.00
Parking a no parking zone $52.00
Obstructing a bike lane $52.00
Parking in front of or within 1.5 metres of a driveway $46.00
Parking on private property $50.00
Park within 9 metres of an intersecting roadway $36.00
Parking in a yard $82.00
Stopped in a no stopping zone $60.00
Parked during an emergency (emergency no parking zone) $88.00
Park facing the wrong direction $36.00
Parked in a fire route $82.00
Parked in accessible parking without a permit $412.00
Stopped in a school zone $103.00
Parking within prohibited area during a community safety event $88.00

Review parking bylaws

Read our parking bylaws to learn more about rules, enforcement and exceptions.

Traffic and Parking Bylaw (2008-077)

This bylaw sets the main rules for parking on city streets:

  • you cannot park for more than 3 hours at a time
  • no parking overnight between 2:30 and 6:00 a.m. (unless registered through the city’s overnight parking program)
  • no parking during a declared snow event
  • you cannot park in front of driveways, fire hydrants, crosswalks, bus stops or bike lanes
  • other stopping and no-parking rules apply near schools, intersections and roundabouts

Read the Traffic and Parking Bylaw.

Disabled Parking Bylaw (2012-010)

This bylaw explains the rules for using designated accessible parking spaces:

  • you must display a valid disabled parking permit
  • permits can only be used when transporting or picking up a person with a disability
  • accessible spaces must meet minimum size standards (3.9 metres wide × 5.5 metres long)
  • the city can tow or impound vehicles parked illegally in these spaces
  • penalties apply, including a minimum fine

Read the Disabled Parking Bylaw.

Parking on Private Property Bylaw (08-092)

This bylaw explains the rules for parking on private property in Waterloo:

  • you cannot park on private property without the owner’s consent
  • parking in a private lot must follow posted signs or conditions set by the owner
  • vehicles parked without consent may be ticketed, towed or impounded at the owner’s expense
  • the city can appoint private enforcement officers to help enforce the bylaw in certain locations

Read the Parking on Private Property Bylaw.

Prohibition on Parking in Yards Bylaw (2010-049) 

This bylaw sets rules for parking on residential properties in Waterloo:

  • you cannot park a vehicle in a front or side yard
  • you cannot park on grass or other organic ground cover in a rear yard
  • some properties listed in the bylaw are allowed limited front or side yard parking with city approval
  • the city can order vehicles to be removed if parked illegally in yards

Read the Prohibition on Parking in Yards Bylaw.

City Parking Bylaw (2017-047)

This bylaw explains the rules for parking in city-owned parking lots and parkades:

  • when parking is considered “without consent” (ignoring posted signs, pavement markings or not paying fees)
  • requirements for parking permits in municipal lots
  • when the city can tow or remove vehicles from lots
  • applicable fees, exemptions and enforcement rules

Read the City Parking Bylaw.

Parking Administrative Monetary Penalty System Bylaw (2019-009)

This bylaw explains how parking tickets are handled in Waterloo, including payment, disputes and enforcement. It covers:

  • how parking tickets (penalty notices) are issued
  • when and how tickets must be paid
  • how to dispute a ticket
  • how tickets and decisions are delivered
  • extra fees if tickets are not paid on time
  • what happens if tickets remain unpaid

Read the Parking Administrative Monetary Penalty System Bylaw.

Contact us

Contact us with any questions: