Updated City Parking Rates: An initiative to meet high demand
The City of Ottawa will be implementing a series of changes to paid parking hours in high-demand commercial areas, including the ByWard Market, as part of its effort to make parking more accessible to its population.
The goal is to alleviate the congestion of parking spaces during weekday evenings and Saturdays - by improving turnover and ensuring better access to on-street parking when and where it is needed most. The City said it aims to make it easier for everyone to access local shops, restaurants, and other services in the affected areas.
Starting in September, select neighbourhoods, such as the ByWard Market, Little Italy South, Glebe South and select parts of Downtown (Nepean Street and to the north) will observe the following changes:
ByWard Market District (and surrounding areas): Weekday parking extended to 7:30 p.m. and Saturday parking adjusted to be from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. (currently either 8 a.m. or 8:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.);
Little Italy South: Weekday parking changed to 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. (instead of 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.), and Saturday parking added from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.;
Glebe South: Weekday parking changing to 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. (instead of 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.), and Saturday parking adjusted to start at 10 a.m. (instead of 8 a.m.);
Downtown (Nepean Street and to the north): Weekday parking changing to 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (instead of 8 a.m. start) and Saturday parking added from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Source: City of Ottawa
Why are these changes happening?
With a steadily growing population, Ottawa’s on-street parking spaces are becoming increasingly busy, making it difficult for people to access their destination.
To address this evolving issue, the City of Ottawa conducted an in-depth study of paid parking practices in 11 other cities finding that most charge for parking during evenings and weekends. In comparison, data collected in Ottawa in 2023 and 2024 reveal that many areas experience peak on-street parking demand during evenings and weekends, which also coincides with current free parking times.
By adjusting paid on-street parking, the City of Ottawa hopes to improve parking availability and efficiency by encouraging shorter stays and making it easier to find free spaces.
To whom does it benefit?
According to the City of Ottawa, visitors, businesses, institutions, residents…
Everyone.
As a result of paid parking, drivers may become less inclined to leave their cars for longer periods, contrary to when parking is free, thus increasing the availability of curbside spaces for others – this is what is referred to as turnover.
Let’s look at it from different perspectives:
Visitors: Are more likely to find a parking spot because someone else has probably only stopped for the time it takes them to tend to their affairs, saving them on parking fees.
Businesses and Institutions: Because the time vehicles stay parked is reduced with paid parking, spaces are more frequently available, and access to District businesses improves, making it easier for customers to visit.
Residents: All revenue collected is reinvested into improving Ottawa neighbourhood infrastructure through funding for the maintenance of roads and sidewalks, in paid parking areas, Park & Ride facilities, bike parking infrastructure, EV charging, and other sustainable transportation initiatives.
How will it take place?
To ensure an effective and seamless transition, the City of Ottawa said paid parking changes will be implemented gradually, as the process involves updating signage and re-programming Pay & Display machines.
The whole operation is expected to take a few weeks during September, with each new implementation and change being clearly communicated in the affected areas. For greater clarity, additional visible reference points will be added to the machines where paid parking times are being extended, aside from the existing rate cards.
After their implementation, the City of Ottawa will continue to monitor and evaluate these changes, which will influence the decision on future improvements based on the evolution of on-street parking demand during peak periods.
For more information and feedback, please contact the City of Ottawa Parking Services Department directly by emailing parking.operations@ottawa.ca. Feedback helps the City monitor impacts and adjust communications or implementation where appropriate.
