Parking

Winter Overnight Parking Restrictions

Parking on Town roadways is prohibited between the hours of 1:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. from November 1 to March 31 (previously December 1 to March 31). This change supports earlier winter snow clearing operations and helps maintain safe road conditions during early-season storms.

Boulevard Parking Regulations

Parking is prohibited within two (2) metres of boulevard trees to protect root systems and preserve the Town’s urban canopy. Parking is also prohibited on boulevards where a raised curb is present, ensuring pedestrian pathways and landscaped areas remain unobstructed.

Bike Lane Protection

Parking or obstructing any part of a designated bicycle lane is prohibited to ensure safe routes for cyclists and encourage active transportation. 

Traffic Calming Zones

Parking is prohibited within ten (10) metres of traffic calming devices on both sides of the road to maintain clear sightlines and support the effectiveness of traffic calming measures.

Residential Yard Parking

Parking is prohibited in front or side yards unless the vehicle is situated on a designated driveway. This provision preserves the intended use and character of residential properties while protecting green space and underground infrastructure.

Accessible Parking Standards 

In accordance with Ontario Regulation 191/11 and the Highway Traffic Act, parking lot owners will be required to provide designated accessible parking spaces and access aisles for the exclusive use of vehicles displaying a valid accessible parking permit.

Residents, businesses, and visitors are encouraged to review the full by-law to understand how these changes may affect them: Parking Regulation By-law 2025-060.

Accessible Parking Permits

Individuals displaying a valid Accessible Parking Permit or Disabled Person Parking Permit are permitted to park for free in all municipal paid parking locations but are required to abide by any time limits that may apply to that location.

Veteran Plates

Vehicles that have an Ontario veteran license plate are permitted to park for free in all municipal paid parking locations but are required to abide by any time limits which may apply to that location.

Parking is prohibited in Collingwood on all streets between 1:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. from November 1 each year until March 31 of the following year. This is strictly enforced to assist the Public Works Department's snow clearing and winter operations.

Any vehicle parked or left standing during this period may be removed. Any expense incurred for such removal may be charged to and collected from the owner of the offending vehicle.

A vehicle may be permitted to park overnight in any municipal parking lot provided the owner of the vehicle has a valid digital Overnight Parking Permit issued by the Town of Collingwood.

How to apply:

• Complete the Overnight & Temporary Parking Permit Application Form.
• Email the completed form to service@collingwood.ca.
• Customer Service will issue a digital permit in HotSpot to the requested vehicle licence plate(s). No physical pass will be received.

There is no cost for an Overnight Parking Permit. Overnight Parking Permits are valid in Downtown Municipal parking lots only. Permits are issued during regular business hours Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (excluding holidays). Applications received outside of regular business hours will be processed on the next regular business day

Celebrate the season with free parking in downtown Collingwood and municipal parking lots from Saturday, December 7, 2024, to Sunday, January 5, 2025. Please remember that overnight parking restrictions remain in effect from 1:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. For longer stays (3+ hours) downtown, please use the municipal parking lots.

For more information, please contact Customer Service 705-445-1030.

Individuals may contest or dispute a Parking Infraction Notice that has been issued to them. If a resolution cannot be made through the First Attendance process, you or your agent may attend court by completing a Notice of Intention to Appear.

How to dispute a parking ticket

Request First Attendance: This can be done online using the Town’s online payment portal. After searching your ticket you will be able to submit your request for First Attendance.  Completing this option will prompt By-law staff to contact you to discuss the ticket. Please note: If a resolution cannot be reached through First Attendance, you may proceed with a Notice of Intention to Appear in Court by following the steps outlined under option 2. 

Notice of Intention to Appear in Court: Complete and sign “Option 2 – Trial Option” on the back of your parking ticket or complete and sign the Notice of Impending Conviction document and deliver it in-person or by mail to:

Town of Collingwood
97 Hurontario Street
P.O. Box 157
Collingwood, Ontario
L9Y 3Z5

• Private Property Parking By-law 
• Idling By-law 2009-095 and amendment 2010-050
• Fire Route By-law 2009-078

1. What are some common parking regulations that could lead to a Parking Infraction Notice?

Some common parking regulations that may result in a Parking Infraction Notice include:

• Parking on any street / municipal lot between the hours of 1:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. from November 1 to March 31;
• Parking within 3 metres of a fire hydrant;
• Parking facing the wrong direction (not on the right side of the roadway in the direction of traffic, or not in the designated direction on a one-way street);
• Advertise a vehicle for sale on public property (roadway, municipal lot);
• Parking or stopping in a fire route;
• Parking in an accessible parking space without an Accessible Parking Permit;
• Parking in a manner that obstructs the movement of traffic
• Parking in a manner that obstructs or interferes with snow removal or winter maintenance activities;
• Parking on or over any portion of a sidewalk.

Any vehicle found in violation of the Parking, Fire Route, and/or Idling By-laws may be issued a Parking Infraction Notice and/or towed at the owner’s expense. If a Parking Infraction Notice is not paid within the specified timeframe, a conviction may be registered, and your Ontario licence plate sticker will not be renewed until the fine and any associated costs have been paid in full.

2. What is the difference between "No Parking," "No Standing," and "No Stopping"?

No Parking

• Definition: The Highway Traffic Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8 ("HTA") defines "park" or "parking" as the standing of a vehicle, whether occupied or not, except when standing temporarily for the purpose of and while actually engaged in loading or unloading merchandise or passengers.
• What This Means: Motorists are only allowed to load or unload passengers or merchandise in a "No Parking" zone.

No Standing

• Definition: The HTA defines "stand" or "standing" as the halting of a vehicle, whether occupied or not, except for the purpose of and while actually engaged in receiving or discharging passengers.
• What This Means: Motorists are only permitted to receive or discharge passengers in a "No Standing" zone.

No Stopping

• Definition: The HTA defines "stop" or "stopping" as the halting of a vehicle, even momentarily, whether occupied or not, except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic or in compliance with the directions of a police officer or of a traffic control sign or signal.
• What This Means: Motorists are generally not permitted to stop for any reason in a "No Stopping" zone, except to avoid conflict with other traffic or to comply with the directions of a police officer or traffic control sign or signal.

3. What requirements are couriers and delivery vehicles required to follow?                                                  

Where parking is prohibited, motorists may stop while actively engaged in loading/unloading passengers and/or merchandise. However, motorists should not leave their vehicles unattended if going into a building. Otherwise, couriers and delivery vehicles are subject to the same rules and regulations as other motorists, as set out in the Town's Parking By-laws.

How to use the Hotspot Parking App

Download the HotSpot Parking App from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. 

1. Create an account with your mobile phone number or email address.
2. Park anywhere you see HotSpot Parking App signs and decals.
3. Pay for your parking session from your phone.
4. Extend your time remotely if you’d like to stay longer.
5. Receive digital copies of your parking receipts through the app.

For more information, please preview the Hotspot video:

In a Hurry? No Problem!

HotSpot also allows users the ability to pay for parking through Apple Pay or Google Pay by scanning the NFC/QR code on the parking signs located throughout Downtown Collingwood and at the Waterfront.