The City of Toronto offers various parking permits including residential on-street, temporary on-street, residential off-street (front yard and boulevard), commercial boulevard, and car-share vehicle permits.
Here’s how you can apply for each:
- Residential On-Street Parking Permit: the program generally services those residential areas where driveways and/or garages are not common, and it is available for property owners and tenants to park on designated streets for six or twelve months. To determine whether your street or area is designated for permit parking, contact the Permit Parking office. Learn more about and apply for a residential on-street parking permit here.
- Temporary On-Street Parking Permit: the program is ideal for guests or short stays. The temporary parking permits may be obtained to provide 24-hour, 48-hour and weekly on-street parking within the limits of a permit parking street or area, provided space is available. When bought online or at the Permit Parking office, the permit can be purchased up to a maximum of 2 weeks in advance of the date required. Temporary permits purchased at the Permit Parking office can be issued for up to a maximum of 8 consecutive weeks at a time. Permits for motorcycles and scooters are free, but must be picked up from the Permit Parking office. Recreational vehicles, including trailers, are not eligible for on-street parking permits in Toronto. To determine whether your street or area is designated for permit parking, contact the Permit Parking office. Learn more about temporary on-street parking here.
- Residential Off-Street Front Yard & Boulevard Parking Permit: if you need to park on your front yard or boulevard, this permit allows you to legally do so. Before you buy a property you may wish to ensure that any existing front yard parking facility is properly licensed, and please note that the license does not follow the property so a new property owner will need to apply to have the license agreement transferred. Also, note that disabled front yard parking licenses are not transferable to a new property owner. A list of locations licensed for residential off-street parking can be found in the city's Street Index. Learn more about residential off-street front yard and boulevard parking here.
- Commercial Off-Street Boulevard Parking Permit: businesses that require parking on the boulevard adjacent to their property can apply for this permit. It's crucial for loading, unloading, or regular parking needs for commercial vehicles. Learn more about commercial off-street boulevard parking here.
- Car-Share Vehicle Parking Permit: car-share companies such as Enterprise CarShare, Zipcar, and Communauto can apply for this permit to park their vehicles on Toronto streets, facilitating easier access for their members. Learn more about car-share vehicle parking permits here.
Parking by-laws and regulations
If you park illegally in Toronto, you may receive a parking violation notice. Common violations include parking in no-parking zones, exceeding time limits, or obstructing driveways. Penalties vary depending on the infraction, with fines ranging from $15 to over $450; parking fines have increased on August 1st, 2024 and the full breakdown of fines can be found here. Failing to pay fines can result in additional penalties, including potential vehicle towing or immobilization. To avoid violations, it’s crucial to understand Toronto’s parking regulations, which are strictly enforced. For more details, visit the city's parking bylaws and regulations webpage.
Questions?
Toronto's Permit Parking office is located at Toronto City Hall (100 Queen Street West, Toronto, Ontario M5H 2N2) on the main floor of the West Tower. Their phone number is 416-392-7873 and their email address is permit.parking@toronto.ca. As of August 2024, their schedule is Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.