Overnight parking in Kitchener, Ontario
From December 1 to March 31, you can’t park on any Kitchener street from 2:30 to 6 a.m. without an exemption, even when there’s no snow. Each licence plate gets five exemptions a winter. From April to November, you can park overnight in any legal street spot.
Facts checked October 6, 2026
Where you can park overnight
| Option | Where | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Street, April to November[1] | Any legal street spot | Free, no exemption needed |
| Street, December to March[1] | Any legal street spot, with an exemption | 5 exemptions per plate per winterRequest it before 2 a.m., online or at 519-741-2345. |
| Downtown garage, evening rate[4] | Charles & Benton (4 Charles St E) or Duke & Ontario (33 Ontario St N), open 24 hours Monday to Saturday | $6.25 maximum, 5 p.m. to 5:59 a.m., Monday to SaturdayBoth garages are free on Sundays. |
| Monthly permit[4] | City lots and garages downtown and around Grand River Hospital | $150.35 + HST (lots), $170.70 + HST (garages), $190.50 + HST reserved 24/7 at Duke & OntarioSign up, or join the waitlist, at kitchener.parkingpermit.site. |
Parkeas spaces in Kitchener
Driveways and garages from local hosts within 8 km, with live prices.
The overnight rules
- From December 1 to March 31, no parking on any city street from 2:30 to 6 a.m. without an exemption, snow or not.[2]
- From April 1 to November 30, you can park overnight in a legal street spot without an exemption.[1]
- An exemption doesn’t make an illegal spot legal. Park where parking is allowed, or you can still get a ticket.[1]
- No exemptions for vehicles over 4.5 tonnes, unlicensed vehicles or trailers over 10 metres long.[1]
- Residential visitor permits, issued only in certain permit-only areas, don’t cover 2:30–6 a.m. from December to March.[3]
- Where boulevard parking is allowed, face the direction of traffic, keep all tires on the pavement and don’t hang over the sidewalk or curb.[6]
- During the day, don’t park on a street for more than 3 hours in a row unless signs say otherwise.[6]
Overnight exemptions
- Each licence plate gets five overnight exemptions per winter season (December 1 to March 31).[1]
- Request the exemption before 2 a.m., online through the City’s visitor pass portal or by phone at 519-741-2345.[1] Official page
- A snow event cancels exemptions and you must move your car. Cancelled exemptions don’t count toward your five.[1]
Snow events and towing
- The City declares a snow event when 8 cm or more of snow is falling or forecast. While it lasts, usually 24 hours, you can’t park on any city street.[2]
- Parking on the street during a snow event is a $100 ticket, according to the City’s 2025–26 snow event notices.[8]
- Cars can also be towed, for example when a snowplow can’t get down the street.[7]
- Subscribe to the City’s Snow Events news feed to hear when one is declared, cancelled or extended.[7]
- If your car was towed, call 519-741-2345 to find out where it is.[2]
No driveway?
Kitchener sells monthly permits in its downtown lots and garages, from $150.35 + HST, with a waitlist when a location is full. The other option is renting a private driveway by the month; Parkeas hosts in Kitchener can list theirs.[4]
All parking in KitchenerCommon questions
Can I park on the street overnight in Kitchener?
From April 1 to November 30, yes, in a legal spot. From December 1 to March 31, not between 2:30 and 6 a.m. unless you have one of your five winter exemptions.
When is the winter overnight parking ban in Kitchener?
Every night from December 1 to March 31, from 2:30 to 6 a.m., whether or not it snows.
How do I get an overnight parking exemption in Kitchener?
Request it online or at 519-741-2345 before 2 a.m. Each plate gets five per winter. Exemptions are cancelled when a snow event is declared, and cancelled ones don’t count.
What happens during a snow event?
No street parking at any time while it lasts, usually 24 hours. Cars left on the street can be ticketed and towed.
Where can I park overnight in downtown Kitchener?
The Charles & Benton and Duke & Ontario garages charge a $6.25 maximum from 5 p.m. to 5:59 a.m., Monday to Saturday. For every night, get a monthly permit or rent a private driveway.
Have a driveway near Kitchener?
Listing is free. Set your own price and hours, and Parkeas pays you out every week.
Sources
- City of Kitchener: Overnight parking exemptions
- City of Kitchener: Snow removal
- City of Kitchener: Traffic and Parking By-law 2019-113 (PDF)
- City of Kitchener: Find a place to park
- City of Kitchener: Pay for monthly parking
- City of Kitchener: Parking bylaws
- City of Kitchener: Snow event notice, February 25, 2026
- City of Kitchener: Snow event notice, March 14, 2026
Rates and rules change. Check the official page before you park; these were last checked October 6, 2026.
Researched by the Parkeas team from the official pages above. How we check these guides