Kitchener parking bylaw: the street rules in plain language
Kitchener’s street parking rules are in the Traffic and Parking By-law, number 2019-113, in force since January 2, 2020. Here are the rules that most often lead to a ticket, in plain language, with links to the official text.
Facts checked October 6, 2026
Kitchener’s parking bylaws
| By-law | What it covers | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic and Parking By-law 2019-113[1] | Street parking and stopping, the overnight ban, snow events, towing | In force since January 2, 2020; replaced By-law 2007-138 |
| Parking AMPS By-law 2019-039[5] | Parking penalties, screening reviews and hearings | Tickets are handled by the City, not the provincial courts |
| Accessible Parking By-law[2] | Accessible spaces and permits | A separate by-law |
Parkeas spaces in Kitchener
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Street parking rules
- Don’t park on a street for more than 3 hours in a row unless signs say otherwise.[2]
- Stay at least 3 m from a fire hydrant and 1.5 m from a driveway.[2]
- Don’t park within 9 m of an intersecting road, within 15 m of a level railway crossing, or where you block a crosswalk.[1]
- Don’t park on or over a sidewalk, facing against traffic, in a fire route, or in an accessible space without a displayed permit.[2]
- Vehicles with expired or missing plates, and commercial vehicles over 4,500 kg, can’t park on city streets.[2]
- Don’t repair or wash a vehicle parked on the street.[1]
- In the free two-hour spots downtown, you can’t park in the same space again within five hours.[2]
- 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. It isn’t allowed if your driveway is within 15 m of an intersection, and in a school zone you must move before 8 a.m. on weekdays.[2]
Overnight and winter
- From December 1 to March 31, no parking on any street from 2:30 to 6 a.m. (Part V, s. 3(a)(xiv)).[1]
- Each plate gets five overnight exemptions per winter, requested before 2 a.m. online or at 519-741-2345.[3]
- When 8 cm or more of snow is falling or forecast, the City declares a snow event and you can’t park on any city street.[4]
- A snow event ends 24 hours after it starts unless it’s cancelled or extended, and the City must announce it in at least two ways (Part V, s. 3(d)).[1]
- A snow event cancels overnight exemptions; cancelled ones don’t count toward your five.[3]
Enforcement and towing
- Parking fines range from $30 to $400.[2]
- Camera enforcement vehicles scan licence plates to enforce time limits.[2]
- Parking penalties fall under the Parking Administrative Penalty By-law, and the Provincial Offences Act doesn’t apply to them (Part XXI, s. 1).[1]
- Police or a bylaw officer can have an illegally parked car moved and stored. The costs become a lien on the vehicle under the Repair and Storage Liens Act.[1]
- To dispute a ticket, ask for a screening review within 30 days by calling 519-741-2345 or using the online form.[6]
Common questions
What is Kitchener’s parking bylaw?
The Traffic and Parking By-law, By-law 2019-113. It took effect January 2, 2020 and replaced By-law 2007-138. Penalties and disputes are covered by the Parking AMPS By-law 2019-039.
How long can I park on a street in Kitchener?
Up to 3 hours in a row, unless signs say otherwise. In the free two-hour spots downtown, you can’t return to the same space within five hours.
How far from a fire hydrant or driveway do I have to park in Kitchener?
At least 3 metres from a fire hydrant and 1.5 metres from a driveway. You also can’t park within 9 metres of an intersecting road.
Can I park on the boulevard in Kitchener?
Where it’s allowed, yes: face the direction of traffic, keep all tires on the pavement and don’t hang over the sidewalk or curb. Not if your driveway is within 15 metres of an intersection.
How much is a parking ticket under Kitchener’s bylaw?
Kitchener parking fines range from $30 to $400, and a car parked against the bylaw can be towed at the owner’s expense. The exact amount for each offence is on the ticket.
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: Traffic and Parking By-law 2019-113 (PDF)
- City of Kitchener: Parking bylaws
- City of Kitchener: Overnight parking exemptions
- City of Kitchener: Snow removal
- City of Kitchener: Request an extension (AMPS By-law 2019-039)
- City of Kitchener: How to dispute a parking or non-parking ticket
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