Nearly 3,000 drivers ticketed for violating parking ban during Ottawa snowstorm

The City of Ottawa issued nearly 3,000 tickets for violating a winter weather parking ban Thursday, as crews cleared the streets following a snowstorm that dropped more than 30 centimetres of snow on Ottawa.

Roger Chapman, the city's director of bylaw and regulatory services, said in a statement that a total of 2,950 tickets were issued on Thursday.

The city's website states that tickets for parking in a way that interferes with snow removal cost $125, with an early payment option of $105.

Chapman said the bans are necessary for ensuring that roadways remain clear for essential services, including snow removal, street cleaning, and emergency vehicle access.

"The safety of residents and visitors is the City's priority, and we thank everyone for their co-operation when a winter parking ban is implemented," he wrote.

A parking ban was announced Wednesday and put into effect Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. During a winter weather parking ban, any vehicle that does not have a parking permit and remains parked on the street is subject to receiving a ticket.

Bad experiences

Some people who were ticketed said they were not aware of the ban.

Phil Emond, who owns the Gordon Harrison Landscape Gallery in the ByWard Market, said he and two of his customers were ticketed for violating the parking ban Friday. He was so frustrated by the parking tickets that he closed his store early for the day.

"I know we had a bad storm, but there's such a thing as common sense and judgment, and if there's no signage and you can park like you normally park with no snow banks because they've been removed, I would think it's safe to park there," he said.

Alta Vista Coun. Marty Carr said she's heard from some residents who are frustrated from getting ticketed, as well as from others who said tickets don't go far enough.

"I've heard from people who are upset that there are so many people parking on their street, that the street was not able to be cleared and now they can't navigate the street," she said. "They don't feel that it's safe and they want to see these vehicles not just ticketed — but towed."

Carr said another parking ban will likely come into effect Sunday when up to thirty centimetres of snow is expected to hit the city.

If finding a way to avoid parking on the street becomes an issue, Carr said people can ask their neighbours to share their driveways for the night.