Parking Control
Parking Regulations
Parking regulations for the City of Niagara Falls are defined in the following municipal by-laws which govern:
City of Niagara Falls By-law 89-2000 - Traffic and Parking
- Common on street parking violations
- Locations and placement of parking prohibition signs
- locations and placements of traffic signs
- View the By-law
- Violations for misuse of handicap spaces
- Requirements for number of, size of and types of signs for handicap spaces for private property owners
- View the By-law
- Violations for fire route
- Information for private property owners on how to establish fire routes
- Violations for Private Property
- Request for enforcement
- View the By-law
Received an Infraction? Have some questions? What are my options?
General Inquiries call
(905) 356-7521 extension 4225 / 5208
Monday - Friday
8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
In Person:
Traffic & Services Office - Lower Level - First Attendance Office
City Hall
4310 Queen Street
Niagara Falls, Ontario
What if I don't pay my ticket on time?
The City of Niagara Falls will issue a "Notice of Impending Conviction" to the registered owner of the vehicle. This notice will be sent out approximately 15 days after the ticket was issued. The notice indicates that a "conviction" charge ($16.00) will be registered on the violation in approximately 3 weeks if not paid.
Should the violation not be paid for after the conviction is registered, the City will forward this past due amount, plus the conviction after approximately two months to the Ministry of Transportation for collection. The violation amount, conviction cost and a $20.00 processing costs is applied to your vehicle license plate. You must pay this amount prior to renewing your license.
For Example:
Parking Violation Original Amount: $20.00
Conviction Cost $16.00
MTO Costs $20.00
Payable on License Renewal: $56.00
Please pay your tickets on time, and avoid extra costs.
How do I pay my ticket? - Parking Infraction Payment Information
Make cheques or money orders payable to: The City of Niagara Falls
In person:
Finance Division - Main Floor
City Hall
4310 Queen Street
Niagara Falls, Ontario
Payment Method: Cash, Cheque, Money Order, Interac
By Mail (DO NOT SEND CASH IN THE MAIL)
Finance Division
City Hall
4310 Queen Street
Niagara Falls, Ontario
Payment Method: Cheque, Money Order
(Please quote infraction number on the face of your cheque)
How do I dispute my ticket?
The City of Niagara Falls operates a "First Attendance Office" as prescribed in the Provincial Offences Act. This office will review any parking violation issued by the City of Niagara Falls. You or your agent must appear in person.
You will be requested to:
- fill out a review form so staff may accurately check all information provided by you.
- provide copies of any documentation you may feel will support your claim
- (Staff will photo copy this information for our records at no charge to you)
What if I want to take my ticket to court?
You must attend City Hall in person to request a trial. Information regarding this is on the back of your parking infraction. You will be able to review the ticket prior to setting a court date. If you are acting on behalf of the vehicle owner, you are considered an agent, and written permission from the owner of the vehicle is required. If you are requesting trial as the ticket recipient (other than owner) the registered owner of the vehicle will also be notified of the court date.
City staff will look after all details. We will set a court date and advise you by mail.
What happens at court?
You will present your case before a Justice of the Peace. The City of Niagara Falls will have a representative in court, as well as the officer to provide information relative to the issuance of the ticket. Please keep in mind, that the Justice of the Peace will make a decision only on the ticket issued. If you have concerns about the by-law it is issued under, the staff who issued the ticket, or other municipal issues, please notify the First Attendance Office so we may assist you.
What if I cannot attend at the date that has been set?
After you have received a Notice of Trial in the Mail, and you cannot attend at the date set, please contact:
Provincial Offences Court 905-371-8988. 4635 Queen Street, Niagara Falls, Ontario.
Does it cost me to go to court?
If the Justice of the Peace finds in your favour, there is no cost to you. If the ticket is upheld, you must pay the fine amount as directed by the Justice of the Peace. If you fail to appear in court, the Justice may find in the City's favour and an additional $12.75 will be added as court costs. If the ticket is not paid on time the above scenario of conviction costs, and MTO costs will be applied.
Definitions and common misconceptions
Want to know a bit more? Here are a few definitions that may help you. Parking violations are issued based on the following definitions, some are from the Highway Traffic Act, some are from the municipal by-law governing parking.
My ticket was issued on the highway - I was parked on the road!, this must be a mistake.
"highway"
All violations are issued to vehicles "on the highway", this is a general term to identify the road and it's environs.
I wasn't parked, I was in the car, with the engine running.
"park" or "parking"
"stand" or "standing"
Unless you are actively picking up or dropping off passengers or merchandise, you may not sit in the car with the engine running.
The ticket was for stopping - I was only there a minute - to drop off my kids!
"stop" or "stopping"
No stopping zones mean just that - especially in the school zones. Please - be safe - if the sign say no stopping, find a safe area to park, stop the car, then discharge or pick up your passengers.
School Zones
The following notice is given out the first week in September to remind drivers of the importance of safety in the school zones:
COURTESY NOTICE:
TO ALL DRIVERS BRINGING STUDENTS TO SCHOOL
After the first week, tickets will be issued to any vehicle stopped/parked illegally.
We understand your need to ensure the safe arrival of your children at school, however, we insist that you do so by not compromising the safety of others. If you drop your child off at school, please follow all signs in the area.
Signs are posted near the front of your school to ensure that vehicles are not stopped in bus loading zones.
DO NOT PARK IN THE "NO STOPPING ZONES".
Under the Highway Traffic Act the stopping and parking regulations are defined as follows:
"stop" or "stopping"
The current fine is: $50.00
"park" or "parking"
The current fine is: $25.00
During the first week of school, notices will be delivered to drivers who stop in these areas.
This includes vehicles that stop, and move on prior to the issuance of a ticket.
Parking for Disabled Persons
Permits are controlled and issued by the Ministry of Transportation. Applications are available at the Driver Vehicle Licence Bureau, 6100 Thorold Stone Road, Niagara Falls, Ontario. (905)358-5021
Use of a handicap space by other than a physically disabled person $300.00
PLEASE NOTE:
The permit for a physically disabled person is only for the vehicle when being utilized by the permit holder. If you have a family member, or friend that you transport, you may park your vehicle in the disabled spot, if the physically disabled person is with you when the vehicle is parked.
If you drop the disabled person off at the entrance to the destination, you are NOT permitted to park the vehicle in the disabled spot. These spots are for use by disabled persons only when they are exiting their vehicle from the spot in question.
The disabled permit is NOT a family pass, nor is it to be used by anyone other than the disabled person. Permits may be requested by Parking Control Officers to ensure that the issued pass belongs to someone in the vehicle at the time. Permits may be withheld if insufficient proof of ownership is found, and fines of up to $5,000.00 may be charged to violators. The permit will be revoked until such time as the Ministry of Transportation deems it reasonable to reinstate.
City of Niagara Falls by-law No. 94-262 has established parking
privileges in public parking areas for persons with disabled parking permits.
Further to this, policy has been established relative to by-law No. 89-2000 for on street parking, to further assist holders of valid permits.
General Information for holders of Disabled Persons Parking Permits
Transportation Services
905-356-7521 extension 4225
On Street Parking
Please check the face of the meter which displays the maximum time you may park. No fees required when valid permit displayed.
Metered Areas
It is the policy of the City of Niagara Falls that all holders of disabled parking permits may park at on street meters free of charge, for the maximum time as displayed on the face of the meters
Off Street Parking
Parking lots or parking facilities accessible to the general public are required to be provided with a certain number of parking spaces designated by an official sign for use only by persons with disabled parking permits.
NOTE: Permits for disabled persons are only for the permit holder, while the permit holder is in the vehicle. Maximum fines of up to $5,000.00 may be charged against any who abuse the use of this permit.
Exclusions: Disabled Persons Parking Permits are not valid in the following areas:
- No parking zones
- No stopping zones
- No standing zones
- Within an intersection or crosswalk
- In such manner as to interfere with the movement of traffic or the clearing of snow from the highway
- In front of, or within 1.5 metres of a driveway, laneway or curb cut
- On an inner or outer boulevard
- Within 3 meters of a fire hydrant
- On or partly on or over a sidewalk
- For more than 12 hours
- Between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m.
Fire Routes - Private Property
Parked in a fire route $95.00
As an owner of Private Property, be advised you may be required to establish Fire Routes. If you have any enquiries, please contact Fire Services.
Private Property
As a private property owner in the City of Niagara Falls, you may wish to have your lot enforced. Violations may be issued to vehicles parked in your lot if they are not authorized to be there.
Please call the general inquiry number to speak to staff relative to the posting of appropriate signs, and permission for staff to enter your property.
Unauthorized vehicle on private property $25.00
Parking Violations
City of Niagara Falls By-Law 89-2000
City of Niagara Falls By-Law 89-2000 identifies violations that do not require signs to be posted. These are common infractions that apply uniformly throughout the City. Most municipalities in Ontario have similar infractions. Installation of signs for these violations would result in an overabundance of information on street to the motorist, and would necessitate an enormous drain on municipal resources for maintenance and installation.
| Offences Not Requiring Posted Signs | |
|---|---|
| Offence | Fine Amount |
| Vehicles may not be parked, stopped or left standing: | $25.00 |
| facing wrong way | $25.00 |
| too far from edge of road or curb, shoulder | $25.00 |
| contrary to designated angle, or within designated space | $20.00 |
| on a boulevard | $25.00 |
| across, on or partly over a sidewalk | $50.00 |
| so as to impede traffic | $50.00 |
| within a crosswalk, intersection, median, bridge or tunnel | $50.00 |
| within 10 m of an intersection or 3 m of a fire hydrant | $25.00 |
| within 1.5 m of a laneway, driveway or curb cut | $25.00 |
| for servicing the vehicle other than emergency, or for display for sale | $25.00 |
| for more than 12 hours | $25.00 |
| between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. | $25.00** |
| large motor vehicle in a residential area | $50.00 |
| taxi cabs in metered spaces, vehicles in public vehicle bus stop | $50.00 |
| ** Although this offence is not required to be signed, the City of Niagara Falls has posted these signs at major roads entering the City. The City also places advertisements in the local paper and shopping news in November, to remind citizens that increased enforcement of this by-law will occur during the winter months. | |
On Street Signed Violations
The City of Niagara Falls posts signs for additional violations. Always check carefully for posted parking restrictions.
For metered areas, please read the meter itself for rates, length of time allowed at the meter, and if the meter is functional. If you find a meter not functioning, you may report this (including the number of the meter please) to our general information number. Our service crews will be notified. Parking tickets, if issued when meters are in fail, may be appealed to the First Attendance Office. Service records, and computerized meter function records will verify that a specific meter was reported out of order. Staff will research this for you and advise of findings.
| Offence | Fine Amount |
|---|---|
| park at expired meter | $20.00 |
| park where prohibited | $25.00 |
| stop to (load/unload) where prohibited | $50.00 |
| stop/stand where prohibited | $50.00 |
Municipal Parking Lots
Please refer to the map to locate areas and rates of municipal parking. The following are the violations that may be issued in municipal parking lots:
| Offence | Fine Amount |
|---|---|
| longer than permitted | $20.00 |
| on days or times not permitted | $20.00 |
| at expired meter | $20.00 |
| displaying no ticket | $20.00 |
| without a valid permit | $20.00 |
Elections
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