Toronto parking rules

On public roads in Toronto you can park for at most three hours, unless a sign on the street sets a different limit (for example 1 hour or 15 minutes).

Source: Parking Regulations, City of Toronto · Checked Nov 2, 2026

Toronto's parking rules are set in the Toronto Municipal Code, Chapter 950, Traffic and Parking.

Source: Parking Regulations, City of Toronto · Checked Nov 2, 2026

No Parking: you may stop only to load or unload passengers or goods.

Source: Parking Regulations, City of Toronto · Checked Nov 2, 2026

No Standing: you may stop only to pick up or drop off passengers.

Source: Parking Regulations, City of Toronto · Checked Nov 2, 2026

No Stopping: you generally may not stop for any reason, except to avoid other traffic or when a police officer, sign or signal tells you to.

Source: Parking Regulations, City of Toronto · Checked Nov 2, 2026

When a sign makes an exception for holidays, it means statutory holidays only.

Source: Parking Regulations, City of Toronto · Checked Nov 2, 2026

You can't park within three metres of a fire hydrant. The distance is measured from the point on the road directly in front of the hydrant, however far the hydrant is set back from the curb.

Source: Parking Regulations, City of Toronto · Checked Nov 2, 2026

A residential on-street permit lets its holder park on the street, within a set area, during permit parking hours. Vehicles without a permit can be ticketed in spaces set aside for permit holders.

Source: Residential On-Street Parking, City of Toronto · Checked Nov 2, 2026

Permit parking hours differ from street to street, even inside one permit area. They are posted at regular intervals on each permit street.

Source: Residential On-Street Parking, City of Toronto · Checked Nov 2, 2026

Some permits are for one named street; others cover an area of several streets, where holders may park on any permit street in their area but aren't promised a space on their own street.

Source: Residential On-Street Parking, City of Toronto · Checked Nov 2, 2026

Permit holders must park in a legal space during the hours on the signs. They are generally exempt from 1, 2 and 3 hour limits, and where permit and pay-and-display signs are both posted they don't have to pay.

Source: Residential On-Street Parking, City of Toronto · Checked Nov 2, 2026

A vehicle with a valid permit left in the same spot for more than seven days in a row can be ticketed and towed at the owner's expense.

Source: Residential On-Street Parking, City of Toronto · Checked Nov 2, 2026

On some permit streets, parking switches from one side of the street to the other at set times of year. Permit holders must move to the permitted side as the signs show.

Source: Residential On-Street Parking, City of Toronto · Checked Nov 2, 2026

When the City declares a major snow storm condition, parking is banned on roads designated as snow routes. Snow routes are mostly downtown, include all streetcar routes and are signed.

Source: Major Snow Event, City of Toronto · Checked Nov 2, 2026

Parking on a designated snow route during a major snow event can bring a fine of up to $500.

Source: Major Snow Event, City of Toronto · Checked Nov 2, 2026

Where temporary orange 'no parking' signs are posted for snow removal, parking on that road is not allowed until the work is done and the signs are gone.

Source: Major Snow Event, City of Toronto · Checked Nov 2, 2026

The City moves vehicles that hold up snow clearing, even legally parked ones and even when no major snow storm condition has been declared. They are usually towed to a nearby street.

Source: Major Snow Event, City of Toronto · Checked Nov 2, 2026

Motorcycles and motor scooters may park at on-street meters and pay-and-display spots without paying, but must follow posted rules and time limits. They are not exempt from permit parking rules.

Source: Parking Regulations, City of Toronto · Checked Nov 2, 2026