Traffic and Parking By-law 159-2008 (consolidated to May 11, 2026)
Stratford, Ontario
This is the exact embedded text of the captured official document.
Snapshot 3de7463407d7 · verified 2026-08-23 ·
original document ·
archived snapshot ·
unofficial consolidation, the official version is held by the municipal clerk.
Consolidated to May 11, 2026
BY-LAW NUMBER 159-2008
OF
THE CORPORATION OF THE CITY OF STRATFORD
BEING a By-law to regulate traffic and the parking of
motor vehicles in the City of Stratford.
TABLE OF SECTIONS
Section
Description
1
Definitions
2
Enforcement
PART 1 - TRAFFIC
Section
Description
3
Erection of Control Devices
4
Manner of Parallel Parking
5
Manner of Angle Parking
6
Manner of Parking on One-Way Street
7
No Stopping
8
No Parking in Unposted Locations
9
No Parking in Posted Locations
10
No Parking on Specified Streets
11
No Parking at Bus Stops
12
No Parking at Taxi Stands
13
Parking During Emergencies and Special Events
14
Restricted Parking on Specified Streets
15
Angle Parking Permitted on Specified Streets
16
Prohibited Times of Loading and Unloading
17
Manner of Parking Motorcycles
18
Prohibited Turns
19
Obstructing Traffic
20
Traffic Signs
21
Funeral & Other Processions
22
One-Way Streets
2
Consolidated to May 11, 2026
23
Through Highways
24
Heavy Truck Restrictions
25
School Bus Loading Zones
26
Use of Sidewalk
27
Coasting or Sliding
28
Skateboarding/In-line skating
29
Bicycles/Motorcycles
30
Exemption for Emergency Vehicles
31
Motor Vehicles to be Locked
32
Higher and Lower Speed Limits
PART 2 - METERED ON-STREET PARKING
Section
Description
33
15 Minute Metered Zones
34
30 Minute Metered Zones
35
3 Hour Metered Zones
36
12 Hour Metered Zones
37
On-Street Parking Meter Zones
38
Installation of Meters
39
Parking Spaces on Streets with Zones
40
One Vehicle in Parking Space
41
Operation of Parking Meter for Space
42
Time Limits for Zones
43
Coinage Authorized
44
Lawful Use of Space
45
Parking Overtime
46
Extension of Parking Time
47
Vehicle Parked Overtime
48
Display of Permits
49
Meter Hoods
50
Municipal Official Permit
51
Special and Media Permits
52
Unauthorized Devices
53
Tampering with Meters
54
Inapplicable on Sundays and Holidays
PART 3 - METERED OFF-STREET MUNICIPAL PARKING
Section
Description
55
Metered Municipal Parking Lots
56
Lawful Use of Space
57
Government/Utility Vehicles
58
Previous Sections Apply
59
Semi-Annual Parking Permits
3
Consolidated to May 11, 2026
60
No Long Vehicle Parking
PART 4 - UNMETERED OFF-STREET MUNICIPAL PARKING
Section
Description
61
Unmetered Municipal Parking Lots
62
Lawful Use of Space
63
No Long Vehicle Parking
64-69
Other parking requirements for off street parking
PART 5 - FIRE ROUTES
Section
Description
70
Tampering with Signs
71
Conflicting Signs on Fire Routes
72
Unauthorized Use of Signs
73
No Parking On Fire Route
PART 6 - PARKING FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
Section
Description
74
Accessible Parking Space
75
Display of Permit
76
Prohibitions Regarding Permits
77
Physical Characteristics, Location and Allocation of Designated Parking
Spaces
PART 7 - PRIVATELY OWNED LOTS
Section
Description
78
Privately-Owned Off Street Parking Lots
PART 8 - MOTORIZED SNOW VEHICLES
Section
Description
79
Operation of Motorized Snow Vehicles
PART 9 - GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section
Description
80
General Penalty
81
Illegally Parked Vehicles
82
Towing of Illegally Parked Vehicles
4
Consolidated to May 11, 2026
83
Excess Coins in Parking Meters
84
Executive Acts Authorized
85
Headings Not Part of By-law
86
Deviation from Form
87
Conflict with Highway Traffic Act
88
Existing Signage
89
Commencement
90
Short Title
WHEREAS section 27(1) of the Municipal Act, 2001, S.O. 2001 c. as amended,
provides that a municipality may pass by-laws in respect of a highway only if it has
jurisdiction over the highway;
AND WHEREAS highways, including parking and traffic on highways is within the
jurisdiction of The Corporation of the City of Stratford (hereinafter "the City"), being
a single-tier municipality;
AND WHEREAS regard has been given to the Highway Traffic Act, 1990 as
amended to ensure that this by-law is consistent with the said Act.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT ENACTED by Council of The Corporation of the City of
Stratford as follows:
TRAFFIC AND PARKING BY-LAW
Definitions
1.
In this by-law, unless a contrary intention appears,
"agricultural purposes" means lands zoned for agricultural purposes
or lawfully used as such as of the date of this by-law where animals or
birds are lawfully kept for grazing, breeding, raising, boarding, training, or for
the tillage of soil, rowing, harvesting of vegetables, fruits, field crops or
landscaping materials;
"angle parking" - is defined as parking a vehicle on an angle usually at 45
degrees to the curb or as defined by the parking markings.
"Accessible parking permit" means a permit which is issued under the
Highway Traffic Act and is currently valid or a permit or other marker or
device which is issued by another jurisdiction that is currently valid and
recognized under the Highway Traffic Act and the regulations thereunder.
"bicycle" includes a tricycle and/or a unicycle but does not include a motor
assisted vehicle;
"boulevard" means that portion of every road allowance within the limits of
the City including islands in cul-de-sacs, which is not used as a sidewalk,
driveway access, traveled roadway or shoulder;
5
Consolidated to May 11, 2026
"bus" means a motor vehicle designed for carrying ten or more passengers
but does not include a Mobility Bus;
"bus stop" means that portion of roadway abutting the curb or portion of
shoulder abutting the roadway, indicated by a posted authorized sign for the
purpose of stopping buses operated by The Corporation of the City of
Stratford while picking up or discharging passengers;
"bicycle lane" is a dedicated portion of the roadway for bicycle use, which is
designated by a lane marking, separating the portion of roadway used by
motor vehicles from the portion of roadway used by bicycles;
"commercial motor vehicle" means any motor vehicle having permanently
attached thereto a truck or delivery body, and includes ambulances, hearses,
casket wagons, fire apparatus, motor buses and tractors used for hauling
purposes on the highways;
"Corporation" means The Corporation of the City of Stratford;
"Council" means the Council of The Corporation of the City of Stratford;
"crosswalk" means
(i)
that part of a roadway at an intersection that is included within the
connections of the lateral lines of the sidewalks on opposite sides of the
highway measured from the curbs, or in the absence of curbs from the
edges of the roadway, or
(ii) any portion of a roadway at an intersection or elsewhere distinctly
indicated for pedestrian crossing by signs or by lines or other markings on
the surface thereof;
"curb" includes the edge of the traveled portion of a street or roadway;
"curb lane" includes the traffic or parking lane immediately adjacent to the
curb;
"designated parking space" means a parking space designated under this
by-law for the exclusive use of a vehicle displaying an accessible parking
permit in accordance with the requirements of the Highway Traffic Act, as
amended, the regulations made thereunder and this by-law;
"Director" means the Director of Infrastructure and Development Services or
any employee or agent of the Corporation designated by the Director to act on
his or her behalf;
"double parking" means the parking of a vehicle on any roadway beside
another vehicle which is legally parked adjacent to the curb of the roadway or
edge of the roadway, so that vehicles are side by side or any part of the
vehicles is side by side;
6
Consolidated to May 11, 2026
"driveway access" means the portion of a road allowance which is improved
to permit the passage of vehicles between the adjacent roadway and the
abutting property;
"electric vehicle" means any vehicle that is partially or entirely propelled by
electricity and plugs in to recharge;
"electric vehicle charging station" means any facility or equipment on
municipal property that is used to charge a battery or other energy storage
device of an electric vehicle;
"electric vehicle parking space" means a parking space, the use of which
is for charging a battery or other storage device of any electric vehicle;
"Fire Chief" means the Fire Chief of The Corporation of the City of Stratford
or a person designated to act on her or her behalf;
"fire department" means the Fire Department of The Corporation of the City
of Stratford;
"fire route" means any private access, route, road, way, lane, ramp, or
other means of vehicular access to or egress from a building as designated by
The Corporation of the City of Stratford and may include part of a parking lot
set aside for use by emergency vehicles;
"gross weight" means the combined weight of vehicle and load;
"heavy truck" means any commercial motor vehicle which has a rated gross
vehicle weight exceeding 5 tonne (5,000 kilograms or 11,023 pounds)
according to the current permit or vehicle registration which has been issued
under the Highway Traffic Act, or its foreign equivalent for such vehicle,
regardless of
the actual weight of such vehicles, but does not include a
vehicle operated by or on behalf of the Corporation or a school vehicle which
is in the course of transporting children or persons with a disability to and
from school;
"holiday" means a holiday as defined under the Retail Business Holidays Act;
"identifying marker", when used with respect to parking for persons with a
disability means the Accessible parking permit issued by the Ministry of
Transportation under the authority of the Highway Traffic Act;
"intersection" means the area contained within the prolongation or
connection of the lateral curb lines, or if none, then of the lateral boundary
lines of two or more highways which join one another at an angle, whether or
not one road allowance crosses the other;
7
Consolidated to May 11, 2026
"loading" means the physical activity of moving merchandise from or to a
property or another vehicle and the physical activity of passengers entering or
departing a vehicle;
"Mobility stop" means that portion of the roadway abutting the curb or area
in a municipal parking lot or street, indicated by a posted authorized sign for
the purpose of stopping vehicles operated by the Corporation while picking up
or discharging passengers;
"Mobility Bus" means a motor vehicle designated to carry wheel chair
and/or ambulatory passengers, which displays an identification sign and is
operated by or for The Corporation of the City of Stratford;
"motor vehicle" includes an automobile, motorcycle, motor assisted bicycle
unless otherwise indicated in this by-law, and any other vehicle propelled or
driven otherwise than by muscular power, but does not include motor vehicles
running only upon rails, or a motorized snow vehicle, traction engine, farm
tractor, self-propelled implement of husbandry or road building machine within
the meaning of the Highway Traffic Act;
"motorized snow vehicle" means a self-propelled vehicle designed to be
driven primarily on the snow;
"municipal parking lot" means any open area or portion of a structure
owned by The Corporation of the City of Stratford, other than a street or
highway, intended for the parking of vehicles and on which there are
designated parking spaces, whether their use involves the payment of a fee or
otherwise;
"one-way street" means a street upon which vehicular traffic is limited to
movement in only one direction;
"park" or "parking", when prohibited, means 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;
"parking meter" means a device, sometimes referred to as an "individual
parking meter", which indicates thereon the length of time during which a
vehicle may be parked, which device has as a part thereof a receptacle for the
receiving and storing of coins and a slot or place in which coins may be
deposited to activate a timing mechanism to indicate the passage of the
interval of time following the deposit of a coin or coins therein, the
measurement of which interval is determined by the coin or coins so
deposited, and which device also displays a signal when the said interval of
time has elapsed; and a device, sometimes referred to as a "pay by plate
machine", which has as a part thereof, a receptacle for the receiving and
storing of coins and a slot for credit cards to received to provide payment for
the requested allotment of time provided that the correct licence plate is
8
Consolidated to May 11, 2026
entered in to the pay by plate machine and provides a receipt if requested to
the user;"
"parking meter zone" means a part of a street or municipal parking lot
designated by this by-law for parking purposes timed by parking meters;
"parking space" means a portion of the surface of the roadway or municipal
parking lot designated by suitable markings, the use of which may be
controlled and regulated by a parking meter ;
"person" includes any person, firm, partnership, association, corporation,
company or organization of any kind;
"person with a disability" means, for purposes of this by-law, a person
who has been issued a Accessible parking permit;
"private roadway", means any private road, lane, ramp or other vehicular
access to or egress from a building or structure, which is not a highway, and it
may include part of a parking lot;
"police chief" means the person who may, from time to time, be appointed
by the Stratford Police Service Board to the position of police chief of the
Corporation, or his or her designate;
"police officer" means a member of the Stratford Police Service;
"public parking lot or parking facility" means an off-street parking lot or
other parking facility to which the public has access whether on payment of a
fee or otherwise;
"road allowance" means all allowances for roads, except in so far as they
have been closed according to law, made by the Crown surveyors, all
highways laid out or established under the authority of any statute, all roads
on which public money has been expended for opening them or on which
statute labour has been usually performed, all roads dedicated by the owner
of the land to public use, and all alterations and deviations of and all bridges
over any such allowance for highway or road;
"roadway" means the part of the road allowance that is improved, designed
or ordinarily used for vehicular traffic, but does not include the shoulder, and
where a road allowance includes two or more separate roadways, the term
"roadway" refers to any one roadway separately and not to all of the
roadways collectively;
"rollerblades, in-line skates and rollerskates" means a boot-type
footwear upon which a number of wheels are affixed to the centre of the
length of the sole thereof and are laced or secured onto a person's feet for
the purpose of transportation by muscular power;
9
Consolidated to May 11, 2026
"school bus" means a bus that is used for the transportation of:
i)
children or
ii)
persons with disabilities to or from a training centre
which meets the provisions of the Highway Traffic Act
and bears on the front and rear thereof the words "school bus" and on the
rear thereof the words "Do not pass when signals flashing";
"school vehicle" means a vehicle that is used for the transportation of:
i)
persons to or from school, or
ii)
persons with disabilities to or from a training centre, which meets the
provisions of the Highway Traffic Act and shall only include the following:
a)
a school bus
b)
a bus and
c)
a vehicle that is designed to carry less than ten passengers and is
used for the transportation of persons and which is identified by
public vehicle plates and/or school safety stickers;
"shoulder" means that portion of every road allowance which abuts the
roadway and which is designed and intended for passage or stopping of motor
vehicles but which extends no more than 3.6 metres in width from the limit of
the roadway;
"sidewalk" means any municipal walkway, or that portion of a street
between the curb line or the lateral line of a roadway and the adjacent
property line, primarily intended for the use of pedestrians;
"skateboard" means a form of conveyance without self propulsion consisting
of any number of wheels attached to a flat surface that is designed to support
the weight of a rider;
"skateboarding, rollerskating, rollerblading, in-line skating" means
the activity of using each of the objects respectively;
"stand or standing" means the halting of a vehicle, whether occupied or
not, except for the purpose of and while actually engaged in receiving or
discharging passengers;
"stop" or "stopping", when prohibited, means 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 constable or
other police officer or of a traffic control sign or signal;
"street" or "highway" includes a common and public highway, street,
avenue, parkway, driveway access, square, place, bridge, viaduct or trestle
designed and intended for or used by the general public for the passage of
10
Consolidated to May 11, 2026
vehicles (traveled roadway) and includes the area between the lateral
property lines thereof and as such includes the road allowance;
"through highway" means any highway or part of a highway designated as
such by by-law of The Corporation of the City of Stratford and all intersecting
highways are marked by a stop sign or yield sign in compliance with the
regulations of the Ministry of Transportation;
"time" means, where any expression of time occurs or where any hour or
other period of time is stated, standard time or daylight saving time,
whichever is in effect in the City pursuant to the Time Act;
"towed vehicle" means a vehicle towed or otherwise conveyed by a tow
truck;
"towing" means the movement of a vehicle by a Tow Truck, whether such
vehicle is picked up at or delivered to a location within the City.
"tow truck" means a motor vehicle for towing or otherwise conveying
vehicles, as defined in the Highway Traffic Act, whether or not any such towed
or conveyed vehicle is intact or in operable condition.
"tractor-trailer unit" means the combination of a commercial motor vehicle
and a trailer or semi-trailer;
"traffic" includes pedestrians, ridden or herded animals, vehicles and other
conveyances either singly or together while using any street for the purposes
of travel;
"traffic control device" means any sign or other device erected or placed
by The Corporation of the City of Stratford under the authority of the Highway
Traffic Act for the purpose of guiding, directing or regulating traffic;
"traffic signal" means any device manually, electrically or mechanically
operated for the regulation of traffic as authorized by the Highway Traffic Act;
"U-turn" means to turn a vehicle upon a highway so as to proceed in the
opposite direction;
"vehicle" includes a motor vehicle, motor assisted bicycle, trailer, traction
engine, farm tractor, road building machine and any vehicle drawn, propelled
or driven by any kind of power, including muscular power, but does not
include a motorized snow vehicle, the cars of electric or steam railways
running only upon rails;
"vehicle of a person with a disability" means any vehicle displaying an
identifying marker in accordance with Part 6 of this by-law.
"Veteran Licence Plate" means an Ontario veteran graphic licence plate
issued by the Province of Ontario to eligible veterans:
11
Consolidated to May 11, 2026
a)
passenger and commercial veteran graphic plates displaying a red
poppy and the word "Veteran" underneath the poppy;
b)
motorcycle veteran graphic plates displaying the poppy with the word
"Veteran" underneath."
Enforcement of By-law
2.
This by-law may be enforced by a police officer or a municipal law
enforcement officer appointed by Council.
PART 1 - TRAFFIC
Erection of Control Devices
3.
(1)
Traffic control devices for the purpose of guiding, directing and
regulating traffic may be erected as authorized by the Council.
(2)
No person shall place or exhibit any unauthorized device, sign, standard
or other marking upon any street attempting or purporting to guide,
direct or regulate traffic or the parking of vehicles on a street.
(3)
No unauthorized person shall give any signal or direction attempting or
purporting to direct traffic unless in an emergency to direct traffic
around the scene of an accident, or obstacle, excavation, debris, glass
or other hazard.
(4)
No unauthorized person shall wilfully remove, deface or injure any
traffic control device.
Manner of Parallel Parking
4.
(1)
No person shall park a vehicle on any street except upon the right-hand
side of the roadway, having regard for the direction in which the
vehicle is required to proceed, and when parked on a roadway, the
right front and rear wheels or runners of the vehicle shall be parallel to
and distant not more than 0.3 metres from the right-hand edge of the
roadway adjacent to which such vehicle is parked.
(2)
Subsection (1) shall not apply where angle parking is authorized by this
by-law, or upon one-way streets as authorized by this by-law.
Manner of Angle Parking
5.
(1)
Where angle parking is permitted, no person shall park a vehicle except
within the limits defined by pavement markings and in all cases so that
the front end of the vehicle is nearest to the curb or the edge of the
street.
12
Consolidated to May 11, 2026
(2)
Notwithstanding subsection (1), no person shall park a vehicle at an
angle if:
a)
the load being carried extends beyond the rear of the vehicle; or
b)
the vehicle has attached to it a trailer as defined by the Highway
Traffic Act; or
c)
such vehicle obstructs or interferes with traffic in any way while
so parked.
Manner of Parking on One-Way Street
6.
(1)
Subject to subsection (2), all persons may park vehicles on both sides
of a one-way street in the permitted locations and facing in the
direction in which the vehicle is required to proceed.
(2)
Unless otherwise regulated, when parked on the left hand side of the
roadway, determined by the permitted direction of travel, the left front
and left rear wheels or runners of the vehicle shall be parallel to and
distant not more than 0.3 metres from the edge of the roadway
adjacent to which such vehicle is parked.
No Stopping (Schedule 1)
7.
(1)
No person shall stop a vehicle in a manner known as "double parking"
or in any traffic lane other than the curb lane.
(2)
No person shall stop a vehicle or any part of a vehicle upon the streets
set out in Column 1 of Schedule 1 of this by-law, the side or sides of
streets set out in the corresponding line or lines in Column 2 thereof,
between the points set out in Column 3 thereof, and during the
prohibited time or times set out in Column 4 thereof, when "No
Stopping" signs have been erected and are on display and which
indicate the prohibited time or times.
(3)
Subsection (2) does not apply to:
a)
a passenger vehicle of the Corporation when using bus stops,
b)
a school vehicle engaged in the transportation of persons when
such vehicle is stopped to discharge or pick up passengers,
No Parking In Unposted Locations
8.
(1)
No person shall park a vehicle in any of the following places during the
specified times:
a)
in such a manner so that any part of the vehicle is situated upon
or over a sidewalk at any time;
13
Consolidated to May 11, 2026
b)
between a sidewalk and the adjacent roadway at any time;
c)
on any boulevard or any island within a court at any time, except
where authorized by by-law;
d)
on a roadway or shoulder in front of a public or private driveway
access or lane at any time;
e)
within an intersection at any time;
f)
within 3 metres of a fire hydrant or where the hydrant is set
back from the edge of the roadway, within 3 metres of the point
at which the prolongation of the centre line of the hydrant at
right angles to the edge of the roadway intersects such edge at
any time;
g)
on a crosswalk at any time;
h)
on any street in a manner which obstructs traffic at any time;
i)
in a position that will prevent the convenient removal of any
other vehicle previously parked at any time;
j)
on any roadway, shoulder, or City parking lot between 2:00 a.m.
and 6:00 a.m., unless otherwise designated;
k)
on any ramp or manoeuvring area established by by-law as part
of a parking arrangement at any time;
l)
within 15 metres of any intersection controlled by traffic signals
at any time;
m)
At the entrance to any public or private lane or driveway at any
time;
n)
At places where municipal service work is being undertaken at
any time;
o)
opposite the approach and/or impede the entering or exiting of
any public lane or driveway where the roadway is less than 8.5
metres in width measured from curb line to curb line at any
time;
p)
Upon any bridge or culvert at any time;
q)
Upon any municipal park or municipal open space area at any
time, except in designated parking spaces;
r)
On, or in such a manner as to obstruct any designated bicycle
lane, provided that this shall not prohibit a momentary stopping
of transit buses at signs marking a bus stop, taxis while actively
14
Consolidated to May 11, 2026
engaged in receiving or discharging passengers, or other motor
vehicles while actively engaged in receiving or discharging
passengers.
s)
Within 10 metres of any intersection.
t)
in a manner that obstructs municipal snow clearing operations.
(2)
No person shall stand or park any vehicle directly opposite another
vehicle which is already standing/parking on the other side of the
street, where such standing or parking would prevent the free passage
of the two lines of traffic; or where, unless otherwise permitted in this
by-law, the roadway is less than 30 feet (9.144 meters)
(3)
Nothing in subsection (1) shall prohibit the proper parking of bicycles in
a bicycle rack erected or approved by the Corporation.
No Parking In Posted Locations
9.
(1)
No person shall park a vehicle or any part of a vehicle in the following
locations when appropriate signs have been erected and are on display,
which signs are hereby authorized:
a)
in front of the entrance to an office building;
b)
within 10 metres of any intersection;
c)
within 8 metres of the location of a fire hall and the premises
used in connection therewith on that side of the street on which
such fire hall is located, or on the opposite side of the street
within 8 metres of a point opposite the centre exit of such fire
hall;
d)
within a school bus loading/unloading zone;
e)
within 15 metres of any intersection controlled by traffic signals.
f)
Notwithstanding any other parking lines applied to the pavement
to designate parking spaces, where yellow markings have been
applied by The Corporation of the City of Stratford to the curb to
designate no parking areas adjacent to parking spaces on the
South side of Water Street, no person shall park or stand any
vehicle in a designated parking space on Water Street where
such parked or standing vehicle extends beyond or over the
yellow markings.
(2)
Nothing in subsection (1) shall prohibit the proper parking of bicycles in
a bicycle rack erected or approved by the Corporation.
15
Consolidated to May 11, 2026
(3)
No person shall park a vehicle or any part of a vehicle in an electric
vehicle parking space where such vehicle is:
a)
not an electric vehicle;
b)
not connected to an electric vehicle charging station or actively
charging.
No Parking On Specified Streets (Schedule 2)
10.
No person shall park a vehicle or any part of a vehicle on the streets herein
after set out in Column 1 in Schedule 2 of this by-law, the side or sides of
streets set out in the corresponding line or lines in Column 2 thereof, between
the points set out in Column 3 thereof and, during the prohibited time or
times set out in Column 4 thereof, when appropriate signs have been erected
and are on display, which signs are hereby authorized.
No Parking at Bus Stops (Schedule 3)
11.
(1)
In certain areas as described in Schedule 3, a Transit Bus is exempt
from the parking, standing and stopping provisions that are contained
in this by-law.
(2)
No person, other than a Transit Bus driver, shall park, stand or stop a
vehicle in the Transit Bus zone.
No Parking at Taxi Stands (Schedule 4)
12.
When appropriate signs are erected and are on display, which signs are
hereby authorized, no person other than those persons operating a taxi cab
under a valid licence issued by the Corporation shall park or stop a vehicle or
any part of a vehicle to load or unload on any streets set out in Column 1 in
Schedule 4 of this by-law, the side or sides of streets set out in Column 2
thereof, between the streets or parts thereof set out in Columns 3 and 4,
thereof, at a time designed in Column 5, which areas are hereby designated
as Taxi Stands.
Parking During Emergencies and Special Events
13.
(1)
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this by-law to the contrary, in
case of fire, a parade, an assembly of persons, a congestion of traffic, a
construction project or an emergency, parking may be restricted or
prohibited by the Director or his authorized representative or the Chief
of Police acting through police officers, and no person shall park a
vehicle in contravention of such restrictions or prohibition.
(2)
For the purposes of this section, "emergency" includes a snow fall or
other act of God which hinders, restricts or prohibits movement of
vehicles or pedestrians on a highway.
16
Consolidated to May 11, 2026
Restricted Parking on Specified Streets (Schedule 5)
14.
When appropriate signs have been erected and are on display, which signs
are hereby authorized, no person shall park a vehicle or any part of a vehicle
on any of the streets set out in Column 1 in Schedule 5 of this by-law, the side
or sides of streets set out in Column 2 thereof, between the streets or parts
thereof set out in Column 3 thereof, and during the time or times set out in
Column 4 thereof within the maximum period permitted as set out in Column
5.
Angle Parking Permitted On Specified Streets (Schedule 6)
15.
(1)
No person shall park a vehicle except at any angle, in a manner as
described in section 5, on any of the streets set out in Schedule 6 of
this by-law.
(2)
No person shall angle park a vehicle on a street when angle parking is
not permitted.
Prohibited Times of Loading and Unloading (Schedule 7)
16.
As set forth in Schedule 7, no person shall park, stand or stop a vehicle in
those areas designated as a loading/unloading zone/space.
Manner of Parking Motorcycles
17.
(1)
No person shall park a motorcycle at more than an angle of forty-five
degrees to the curb.
(2)
Where a parking space is designated by markings, no person shall park
more than three motorcycles in one space.
Prohibited Turns (Schedule 8)
18.
(1)
No driver or operator of a vehicle upon a street shall make a U-turn.
(2)
Where an official sign forbidding a left or right turn or both has been
posted in accordance with Schedule 8 of this By-law, every driver or
operator of a vehicle shall obey such sign.
Obstructing Traffic
19.
(1)
No owner or operator of a motor vehicle shall obstruct a street with a
motor vehicle that becomes stalled or, for any reason, cannot be
moved by its ordinary motive power.
(2)
Any vehicle stopped on any street shall be moved away by the owner
or operator thereof at the direction of a police officer when traffic
congestion, proximity to a fire or any other condition renders the
removal of such vehicle expedient.
17
Consolidated to May 11, 2026
Traffic Signs (Schedule 9)
20.
(1)
The Highway Traffic Act requires stop signs at intersections on through
streets.
(2)
Yield signs are authorized and shall be installed facing the traffic
proceeding in the directions indicated in Column 1 of Schedule 9 of this
by-law, on the streets set out in Column 2 thereof, at the intersecting
streets set out in Column 3 thereof.
Funeral and Other Processions
21.
No person shall drive a vehicle so that it interferes with a funeral or other
authorized procession in motion, except under the direction of a police officer.
One-Way Streets (Schedule 10)
22.
(1)
The streets set out in Column 1 of Schedule 10 of this by-law between
the limits set out in Columns 2 and 3 are hereby designated for one-
way traffic only in the directions set out in Column 4.
(2)
No person shall drive in the opposite direction on any one-way street.
Through Highways (Schedule 11)
23.
The streets or parts of streets set out in Schedule 11 of this By-law, are
designed and declared to be through highways, but shall not include any
intersecting highways where traffic signals are installed.
Heavy Truck Restrictions (Schedule 12)
24.
(1)
In this section "prohibited street" means any street or part thereof
within the City set forth out in Schedule 12 of this by-law and upon
which there are erected signs prohibiting heavy trucks.
(2)
No person shall operate or park a heavy truck on a prohibited street.
(3)
Subsection (2) does not apply where a heavy truck is being necessarily
operated in the usual conduct of business and proceeds by way of the
shortest route to or from any street or part thereof set forth in
Schedule 12 of this by-law.
(4)
The Director shall keep and maintain accurate maps illustrating those
streets or parts thereof in Schedule 12, which maps shall be available
to the public.
School Bus Loading Zones (Schedule 13)
25.
(1)
Streets or portions thereof as set out in Column 1 of Schedule 13 of this
By-law, on the side of the street set out in Column 2, thereof, between
18
Consolidated to May 11, 2026
the parts of the streets set out in Column 3 are hereby designated as
School Bus Zones.
(2)
No person shall park a school bus or any part of a school bus except
entirely in a School Bus Zone.
(3)
No person shall park, stop or stand a vehicle in a School Bus Zone.
Use of Sidewalk
26.
No person shall use any sidewalk for any purpose other than pedestrian
traffic, except as specifically permitted by this or any other by-law.
Coasting or Sliding
27.
No person shall coast or slide by the use of any hand-sleigh or toboggan on
any street.
Skateboarding/In-line skating
28.
(1)
No person shall in-line skate, rollerblade, rollerskate or skateboard on
any portion of Market Square, except as set out in section (4) (g) , nor
any sidewalk within the City, excepting those portions of the sidewalk
adjacent to the following streets:
(a)
Ontario Street, east of Romeo Street; and
(b)
the asphalted sidewalk/bicycle path on the west side of Erie
Street, south of Lorne Avenue.
(2)
No person shall in-line skate, rollerblade, rollerskate or skateboard on
any private property without the written consent or permission of the
occupier or owner of the property and the onus of proof of such
consent or permission shall be on the person who is in-line skating,
rollerblading, rollerskating, or skateboarding, as the case may be.
(3)
No person shall in-line skate, rollerblade, rollerskate or skateboard on
any steps, ramps, driveways or sidewalks of any building owned or
occupied by The Corporation of the City of Stratford.
(4)
No person shall in-line skate, rollerblade, rollerskate or skateboard in or
on any path, access way, stairs or steps leading to or on:
(a)
the Cenotaph located on York Street;
(b)
the Memorial Gardens located on Ontario Street;
(c)
the Bandshell located on Veterans Drive (formerly Lakeside
Drive);
(d)
the Bandshell/Pavillion in Upper Queen's Park;
(e)
the Avondale Cemetery;
19
Consolidated to May 11, 2026
(f)
any portion of that area being those roads, sidewalks and
boulevards lying between the Westerly limit of Downie Street on
the East, the Easterly limit of Wellington Street on the West, City
Hall on the North and the commercial business fronts on the
South, which area is municipally known as "Market Square".
(5)
Persons who in-line skate, rollerblade, rollerskate or skateboard on
roadways shall comply with the following regulations:
(a)
persons
in-line
skating,
rollerblading,
rollerskating
or
skateboarding upon all roadways shall do so near the right-hand
curb or edge of the pavement in such a manner as to prevent
undue interference with the flow of traffic, except where
reasonably necessary to avoid conditions that would make it
unsafe to continue along the right-hand curb edge. Conditions to
be taken into consideration shall include, but not be limited to,
fixed or moving objects, vehicles, bicycles, in-line skaters,
pedestrians, animals, surface hazards, or traffic lanes too narrow
for persons who are in-line skating, rollerblading, rollerskating or
skateboarding.
(b)
Persons rollerblading or in-line skating or rollerskating or
skateboarding shall do so in single file;
(c)
Persons rollerblading or in-line skating or rollerskating or
skateboarding shall do so with due care and attention to their
own safety and the safety of others;
(d)
Persons rollerblading or in-line skating or rollerskating or
skateboarding shall not do so while under the influence of
alcohol or drugs;
(e)
No person shall draw or tow, using a bicycle, vehicle or in-line
skates, rollerblades, rollerskates or a skateboard, any other
person using a bicycle, in-line skates, rollerblades, rollerskates,
or a skateboard;
(f)
No person using in-line skates, rollerblades, rollerskates, or a
skateboard shall be drawn or towed by any animal, domestic
pet, person or vehicle.
Bicycles/ Motorcycles
29.
(1)
Two or more persons riding bicycles or motorcycles shall not ride
abreast or nearly so on any street, except in the course of overtaking
and passing other vehicles.
(2)
No operator of any bicycle or motorcycle shall ride on any sidewalk.
20
Consolidated to May 11, 2026
(a)
Exception is bicycles will be allowed on Ontario Street, east of
Romeo Street and the asphalted sidewalk/bicycle path on the
west side of Erie Street, south of Lorne Avenue.
(3)
No driver or rider of a bicycle shall operate the bicycle except as near
as possible to the right-hand curb.
Exemption for Emergency Vehicles
30.
The provisions of this by-law do not apply to those vehicles such as Fire,
Police and Ambulances when attending or responding to an emergency
situation.
Motor Vehicles to be Locked
31.
(1)
No person driving or in charge of a motor vehicle, other than a
commercial motor vehicle, shall allow the same to stand unattended
unless,
(a)
the doors of the vehicle are locked and its windows are closed;
and
(b)
the key is not in the ignition or in a readily accessible location in
the vehicle, so as to prevent the operation of the vehicle by any
person not authorized by the owner, driver or person in charge.
Higher and Lower Speed Limits (Schedule 14)
32.
(1)
The streets set out in Column 1 of Schedule 14 of this By-law, between
the limits set out in Columns 2 and 3, are hereby restricted to
maximum rates of speed as set out in Column 4. The speed limit for all
remaining roads and highways is restricted to 50 km/hr.
(2)
No person shall operate a motor vehicle at a speed in excess of this By
law.
(3)
No driver of a vehicle shall drive within the limits of any park at a
greater speed than 30 kilometres per hour.
PART 2 - METERED ON-STREET PARKING
15 Minute Metered Zones (Schedule 15)
33.
15 minute parking is permitted on the streets set out in Column 1, the side or
sides of streets set out in the corresponding line or lines in Column 2, between
the streets or parts thereof set out in Columns 3 and 4.
21
Consolidated to May 11, 2026
30 Minute Metered Zones (Schedule 16)
34.
30 minute parking is permitted on the streets set out in Column 1, the side or
sides of streets set out in the corresponding line or lines in Column 2, between
the streets or parts thereof set out in Columns 3 and 4.
4 Hour Metered Zones (Schedule 17)
35.
Four hour parking is permitted on the streets set out in Column 1, the side or
sides of streets set out in the corresponding line or lines in Column 2, between
the streets or parts thereof set out in Columns 3 and 4.
12 Hour Metered Zones (Schedule 18)
36.
12 hour parking is permitted on the streets set out in Column 1, the side or
sides of streets set out in the corresponding line or lines in Column 2, between
the streets or parts thereof set out in Columns 3 and 4.
On-Street Parking Meter Zones
37.
The erection, maintenance and operation of parking meters with the
necessary standards for the purpose of controlling and regulating the parking
of vehicles and the measuring and recording of the duration of such parking
upon the streets or portions thereof set out in Schedules 15, 16, 17, and 18 of
this by-law, and hereby designated as Parking Meter Zones, is hereby
authorized.
Installation of Meters
38.
(1)
Except as provided by subsection (2), an individual parking meter shall
be installed upon the curb adjacent to each parking space within
Parking Meter Zones and such parking space shall have lines or
markings painted or placed upon the curb or upon the roadway
adjacent to each parking meter in a manner sufficient to indicate the
parking space for which such meter is to be used.
(2)
In the case of Parking Meter Zones in which parking is timed by pay by
plate meters and in respect of which appropriate signs are erected and
on display, which signs are hereby authorized, one or more pay by
plate machines shall be placed at a location or locations convenient to a
number of parking spaces within such Parking Meter Zones and such
parking spaces shall have lines or markings painted or placed upon the
curb or upon the roadway in a manner sufficient to indicate the parking
space for which such meters are to be used.
Parking Spaces on Streets with Zones
39.
(1)
Subject to subsection (2), no person shall park a vehicle on any street
or portion thereof designated as a Parking Meter Zone except in such a
22
Consolidated to May 11, 2026
position that the vehicle shall be entirely within the area indicated as a
parking space;
(2)
Any vehicle that by reason of its size, necessarily occupies more than
one parking space or portion thereof shall be entirely within the said
Parking Meter Zone upon being parked. If a vehicle is larger or longer,
the driver shall pay for all parking spaces that are taken up by the
vehicle with attachments.
(3)
Subsection (1) of this section does not apply to bicycles properly
parked in a bicycle rack erected or approved by the Corporation.
One Vehicle In Parking Space
40.
(1)
No person shall park more than one vehicle in any one parking space at
any one time.
(2)
No person shall park a vehicle in a parking space that is partly or
completely occupied by another vehicle.
(3)
Subsections (1) and (2) of this section do not apply to a person parking
a motorcycle in a parking space occupied by another motorcycle so
long as the number of motorcycles does not exceed three.
Operation of Parking Meter for Space
41.
(1)
Subject to subsection (2), no person shall park a vehicle on any street
or portion thereof designated as a Parking Meter Zone unless,
a)
in the case where an individual parking meter is installed
adjacent to the parking space used by such vehicle, the parking
meter is forthwith placed in operation by the deposit of a coin;
or
b)
in the case where parking in the parking space used by such
vehicle is timed by pay by plate machine , one such meter is
placed in operation by the deposit of a coin or coins or payment
with credit card and correct licence plate number is entered into
the pay by plate machine.
(2)
No person shall park any vehicle that by reason of its size, necessarily
occupies more than one parking space or portion thereof unless,
a)
in the case where an individual parking meter is installed
adjacent to each space used in whole or in part by such vehicle,
the meter for each space occupied shall be placed in operation;
or
b)
in the case where parking in each space used in whole or in part
by such vehicle is timed by pay by plate machine.
23
Consolidated to May 11, 2026
(3)
Subsection (1) does not apply to bicycles properly parked in a bicycle
rack erected or approved by the Corporation.
(4)
Subsection (1) herein does not apply to a motor vehicle displaying a
valid Province of Ontario Veteran licence plate.
Time Limits for Zones
42.
(1)
No person shall park a vehicle in any parking space within a Parking
Meter Zone set out in Columns 1 and 2 of Table 1 herein unless there is
immediately deposited in the appropriate parking meter a sum of
money in coin or coins for the parking time set out in Column 3 thereof.
The amounts are set out in the Corporation's User Fee By-law.
Table 1
Column 1
Schedule
Column 2
Zone
Column 3
Duration of
Parking
16
15 minute parking
Maximum allowed
up to 15 Minutes
17
30 minute Parking
Maximum Allowed
up to 30 minutes
18
4 Hour Parking
Maximum Allowed
up to 4 Hours
19
12 Hour Parking
Maximum Allowed
up to 12 Hours
(2)
[Deleted by By-law 130-2012]
(3)
[Deleted by By-law 130-2012]
(4)
No person shall park a motorcycle in any parking space within a Parking
Meter Zone set out in Columns 1 and 2 of Table 1 herein unless there is
immediately deposited in the appropriate parking meter a sum of
money in coin or coins for the parking time set out in Column 3 thereof
or is one of three motorcycle operators who parks in a parking meter
space where time has already been purchased.
(5)
Subsection (1) and (4) herein do not apply to any motor vehicle or
motorcycle displaying a valid Province of Ontario Veteran licence plate.
(6)
Persons with disabilities holding a valid government issued accessible
parking permit are exempt from depositing payment in accessible
24
Consolidated to May 11, 2026
parking meters for the parking time as set out in Column 3 of Table 1
when parked in a designated parking space.
Coinage Authorized
43.
(1)
No person shall deposit, cause to be deposited or attempt to deposit in
any parking meter any coin or coins other than those of the
Government of Canada or the United States of America.
(2)
No person shall deposit, cause to be deposited or attempt to deposit in
any parking meter any slug, device, token, substance, object or any
bent, punched, damaged or mutilated coin.
Lawful Use of Space
44.
(1)
Except as provided for in subsection (2) of this section upon placing the
parking meter into operation, the parking space adjacent to the vehicle
may be lawfully occupied by such vehicle for the period of parking time
equivalent to the coins deposited.
(2)
In the case of Parking Meter Zones in which parking is timed by pay by
plate machines in accordance with the requirements of this By-law, one
parking space in the Parking Meter Zone for which said pay by plate
machine is applicable may be lawfully occupied by such vehicle for the
time period equivalent to the coins deposited or credit card payment
made.
Parking Overtime
45.
No person shall permit a vehicle to be parked in the same parking space for a
longer period at any one time than the maximum period allowable for such
zone as provided in this by-law.
Extension of Parking Time
46.
No person shall deposit or cause to be deposited in any parking meter any
coin or coins for the purpose of obtaining an extension of parking time beyond
the maximum period prescribed by this by-law for the parking of vehicles in
the zone adjacent to such meter.
Vehicle Parked Overtime
47.
(1)
No person shall leave parked a vehicle in any parking space or part
thereof,
(a)
in the case where an individual parking meter is installed
adjacent to the space used in whole or in part by such vehicle,
when the parking meter for such space occupied indicates
expired time or a violation; or
25
Consolidated to May 11, 2026
(b)
in the case where parking in the space used in whole or in part
by such vehicle is timed by pay by plate machine beyond the
time and date indicated by the pay by plate machine at time of
payment and shown on the confirmation screen;
(c)
in the case where more than one motorcycle is parked when the
parking meter for such space occupied indicates no unexpired
time or a violation, all motorcycles occupying such space will be
in violation.
Display of Permits
48.
(1)
Deleted by By-law 53-2012.
(2)
Deleted by By-law 53-2012.
(3)
No person shall display on a vehicle such permit other than one issued
for the then current year.
(4)
A replacement parking permit may be issued for a fee in accordance
with the by-law providing that the holder of the original permit presents
satisfactory evidence that the original permit has been removed from
the windshield so that the vehicle to which is was attached can no
longer use it.
(5)
No person shall photocopy or display a photocopy of a parking permit.
(6)
No person shall tamper with, deface or alter a permit issued for parking
by The Corporation of the City of Stratford.
Meter Hoods
49.
(1)
Meter hoods can be rented for construction vehicles parked at meters
while doing renovations on buildings in the downtown core; or when
required for moving vans that must park at meters.
(2)
If a contractor is going to be using a dumpster and locating it on a
downtown street, he/she must:
(a)
obtain a street permit from the Infrastructure and Development
Services Department; and
(b)
complete and sign a Meter hood rental form.
(3)
There shall be a limit of two hoods (4 spaces) in any section of a block
of a parking area at any one time unless otherwise authorized by
Council at a cost which shall be identified in the Fees and Charges By
law.
26
Consolidated to May 11, 2026
(4)
No unauthorized person shall park at a meter with a hood contained
thereon.
Municipal Official Permits
50.
As authorized by the City Clerk, municipal official permits may be issued to
City Council Members and staff. These permits are not to be transferred and
any lost permits must be reported to the City Clerks office so that the permit
can be replaced.
Special and Media Permits
51.
(1)
(a)
As authorized by the City Clerk, a maximum of two (2) permits
may be issued to those companies attending council meetings
and media functions. No person shall use a media permit when
they are not covering a City related media event or City Council
meeting, Committee meeting or sub-committee meeting.
(b)
Media companies wishing to obtain more than 2 media parking
permits for their company shall be eligible to purchase the media
permits for a fee specified in The Corporation of the City of
Stratford's Fees and Charges By-law.
(2)
Notwithstanding 51 (1)(a) and (b), Media Permits shall be used for
parking in the lower Erie Street lot only, and media wishing to park in
other Municipal lots or along City Streets must pay for parking at the
required hourly rate or purchase a parking permit for a fee specified by
The Corporation of the City of Stratford's Fees and Charges By-law.
(3)
(a)
As authorized by the City Clerk, special permits may be issued to
those persons requiring to park close to City Hall or at another
municipal facility on a short term basis only. This may include but
is not limited to consultants working for The Corporation of the
City of Stratford, OMB Chair/staff, municipal staff in the event of
illness or injury, etc.
(b)
Special permits shall not be sold to the general public.
Unauthorized Devices
52.
No person shall place or exhibit upon any street any unauthorized device
attempting or purporting to control or regulate the parking of vehicles.
Tampering With Meters
53.
Unless authorized by the Corporation, no person shall willfully or deliberately
move, remove, alter or tamper with any parking meter erected or placed upon
a street or on property owned or leased by the Corporation or under its
direction.
27
Consolidated to May 11, 2026
Inapplicable on Sundays and Holidays
54.
The provisions of this Part, except for sections 40, 52 and 53, shall not apply
to the parking of vehicles on Sundays or holidays under the Retail Business
Holidays Act.
PART 3 - METERED OFF-STREET MUNICIPAL PARKING
Metered Municipal Parking Lots
55.
The premises, owned or leased by the Corporation and described in Table 2
herein, are hereby designated as Municipal Parking Lots to be used for the
metered parking of motor vehicles until the premises are otherwise required.
Table 2
Column 1
Lot Number
Column 2
Lot Name
Column 3
Description
1
St. Patrick Lot
(Justice Building)
The premises as outlined in Schedule " 22 "
12 hour meters
2
Ontario Street Lot
The premises as outlined in Schedule "22"
9 - 4 hour meters and 11-12 hour meters
1 - 30 minute meter
3
York Street Lot
The premises as outlined in Schedule " 22 "
4 hour meters
4
Albert Street Lot
The premises as outlined in Schedule " 22 "
4 hour meters
5
Erie Street Lot "A"
The premises as outlined in Schedule " 22 "
4 hour meters
6
Erie Street Lot
"B" and "C"
The premises as outlined in Schedule " 22 "
4 hour meters
7
George Street
The premises as outlined in Schedule "22 "
12 hour meters
8
Erie/St. Patrick
Street (Kalbfleish
Lot)
The premises as outlined in Schedule "22"
12 hour meters
(By-law 53-2012)
28
Consolidated to May 11, 2026
Lawful Use of Space
56.1
Each lot mentioned in Column 1 of Table 3 herein shall be operated on a
payment basis during the times mentioned in Column 2 thereof on each day
mentioned in Column 3 thereof and during such times on such days no
person shall park a motor vehicle on any of the parking lots except in a
designated parking space, and upon parking the said motor vehicle the
operator thereof shall pay a fee therefor forthwith
(a)
in the case where an individual parking meter is installed adjacent to
the space, by depositing a coin or coins in the parking meter provided
for such space; and
(b)
in the case where parking in the space is timed by one or more pay by
plate machines, by depositing a coin or coins or making a credit card
payment in one such machine and entering the correct licence plate;
for the parking time desired mentioned in Column 4 thereof. The amounts are
set out in the Corporation's User Fee By-Law.
29
Consolidated to May 11, 2026
Table 3
Column 1
Lot
Number
Column 2
Times
Column 3
Days
Column 4
Duration of Parking
1
(St. Patrick)
9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
from November
1 to March 31
9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
from April 1 to
October 31
Monday to
Saturday Inclusive
12 hours maximum
2
(Ontario)
9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
from November
1 to March 31
9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
from April 1 to
October 31
Monday to
Saturday Inclusive
Variation of 30 minutes, 4
hours and 12 hours depending
on the meter.
3
(York)
9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
from November
1 to March 31
9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
from April 1 to
October 31
Monday to
Saturday Inclusive
4 hours maximum
4
(Albert
Street)
9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
from November
1 to March 31
9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
from April 1 to
October 31
Monday to
Saturday Inclusive
4 hours maximum
5
(Erie St)
9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
from November
1 to March 31
9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
from April 1 to
October 31
Monday to
Saturday Inclusive
4 hours maximum
6
(Erie St
B&C)
9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
from November
1 to March 31
9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
from April 1 to
Monday to
Saturday Inclusive
4 hours maximum
30
Consolidated to May 11, 2026
October 31
7
(George St)
9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
from November
1 to March 31
9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
from April 1 to
October 31
Monday to
Saturday Inclusive
12 hours maximum
8
(Kalbfleish)
9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
from November
1 to March 31
9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
from April 1 to
October 31
Monday to
Saturday Inclusive
12 hours maximum
(53-2012)
56.1 Section 56 herein does not apply to a motor vehicle displaying a valid Province
of Ontario Veteran licence plate.
56.2 Persons with disabilities holding a valid government issued accessible parking
permit are exempt from depositing payment in parking machines for the
parking time as set out in Column 2 of Table 3 when parked in a designated
parking space.
57.
Notwithstanding Section 56 of this by-law, in metered off street Municipal
Parking Lots, persons parking marked vehicles that identify them as vehicles
belonging to a police force, the fire department, Festival Hydro, the
Corporation and/or the Ministry of Transportation, are not required to pay for
the use of a parking space.
Previous Sections Apply
58.
Sections 40, 41, 42(2), 42(3), 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53 and
54 apply with the necessary modifications to this Part of this by-law.
Parking Permits (Schedule 19)
59.
(1)
The City Clerk or designate is hereby authorized and directed to provide
parking permits, as identified in Schedule 19, for each metered off-
street Municipal Parking Lot mentioned in section 55, whereby the
purchaser of the permit agrees to the conditions described below:
a)
that the permit is issued for one specific lot at a rate set by The
Corporation of the City of Stratford in accordance with the User
Fee By-Law with no obligation to The Corporation of the City of
Stratford to renew the permit for a term;
31
Consolidated to May 11, 2026
b)
that the permit will be displayed by placing it on the interior
windshield or on the dash board with the permit number clearly
in view;
c)
that the permit is valid for the specific lot identified at time of
purchase of the permit and is not transferable to any other lot;
and
d)
that the permit is valid for the licence plated vehicle identified by
the owner at the time of purchase of the permit and is not
transferable to any other vehicle.
(2)
When the parking permit described in sub-section (1) of this section is
appropriately displayed, the vehicle is permitted to park in the specified
parking lot for which the permit was purchased without inserting coins
into a parking meter or pay by plate machine or making a credit card
payment at a pay by plate machine.
(3)
No person who has purchased a parking permit shall park a vehicle on
a municipal parking lot without displaying the parking permit issued for
that specific parking lot as described in sub-section (1)(a) of this
section herein.
(4)
No person shall use an expired parking permit unless authorized to do
so.
(5)
A replacement parking permit may be issued for a fee.
(6)
No person shall photocopy parking permits.
(7)
No person shall tamper with, deface or alter a parking permit.
No Long Vehicle Parking
60.
No person shall park any motor vehicle in excess of 6.1 meters in length in
any of the parking lots mentioned in sections 55 at anytime.
PART 4 - UNMETERED OFF-STREET MUNICIPAL PARKING
Unmetered Municipal Parking Lots
61.
The following premises owned by the Corporation and described in Table 4
herein are hereby designated as Municipal Parking Lots to be used for the
unmetered parking of motor vehicles until the premises are otherwise
required.
32
Consolidated to May 11, 2026
Table 4
Column 1
Lot
Number
Column 2
Lot Name
Column 3
Description
11
Cooper Lot
(105 St. Patrick St.)
The premises on attached as Schedule
22
12
Downie Lot
(17 George St.)
The premises on attached as Schedule
22
13
Stratford Jail
(30 St. Andrew St.)
The premises on attached as Schedule
22
14
removed
15
16
Stratford Place
Hotel
(136 Ontario St)
The premises on attached as Schedule
22 Pay and display
17
removed
removed
Lawful Use of Space
62.
For each lot mentioned in Column 1 of Table 5 herein, no person shall park a
motor vehicle beyond the maximum number of consecutive hours mentioned
in Column 4 thereof during the times mentioned in Column 2 thereof on any
of the days mentioned in Column 3 thereof, and during such times on such
days no person shall park a motor vehicle on any of the parking lots except in
a designated parking space.
Table 5
Column 1
Lot Number
Column 2
Times
Column 3
Days
Column 4
Maximum Limit
11
24 hours
7 days a week
24 hours
72 Hour Permit
12
24 hours
7 days a week
24 hours
13
24 hours
7 days a week
72 hours
14
As per agreement
33
Consolidated to May 11, 2026
15
As per agreement
16
As per agreement
17
removed
No Long Vehicle Parking
63.
No person shall park any motor vehicle in excess of 6.1 meters in length in
any of the parking lots mentioned in section 61 at any time. Bus parking is
available on those areas marked on St. Patrick Street and in the Downie Street
Parking Lot.
Other Parking Requirements for Off-Street Parking For Both Metered and
Unmetered Spaces
64.
No person shall park and leave unattended a vehicle on any aisle abutting
parking spaces in an off-street parking lot.
65.
No person shall drive a motor vehicle into or out of an off-street parking lot
other than from the designated entrances and exists.
66.
No person shall use any portion of an off-street parking lot in such a manner
as to endanger the person or property of another.
67.
No person shall use any portion of an off-street parking lot as a place for
buying and selling of merchandise of any kind whatsoever.
68.
No person shall at any time park any immobile or unlicensed vehicle in an off-
street parking lot set out in Schedule 2 of this By-law.
69.
No person shall at any time park any vehicle for the purpose of washing or
repairing a vehicle in an off-street parking lot as set out in Schedule 2 of this
By-law.
PART 5 - FIRE ROUTES
Tampering With Signs
70.
No person shall move, remove or interfere with a fire route sign along a fire
route or obstruct a view of the fire route sign along a fire route.
Conflicting Signs on Fire Routes
71.
No person shall erect or maintain along a fire route any sign which may
conflict or be confused with a fire route sign.
34
Consolidated to May 11, 2026
Unauthorized Use of Signs
72.
No person shall erect or maintain a facsimile of a fire route sign along any
private roadway, whether a fire route or not.
No Parking In Fire Route (Schedule 20)
73.
(1)
No person shall park, stop or stand a vehicle along a fire route or in
such a manner that any part of a vehicle is located within the fire route
as designated on schedule 20 of this by-law.
(2)
Subsection (1) does not apply to a passenger vehicle of the Corporation
using bus stops when appropriate signs are erected and on display,
which signs are hereby authorized.
(3)
A peace officer, a police officer, a special constable, an officer
appointed for the carrying out of the Provisions of the Highway Traffic
Act and The Corporation of the City of Stratford By-law enforcement
officer as special constable may cause a vehicle in violation of (1) to be
moved or taken to and placed in suitable place and all costs and
charges for removing, care and storage thereof, if any, are a lien upon
the vehicle which may be enforced in the manner provided in the
Repair and Storage Lien Act.
PART 6 - PARKING FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
Parking Space for Persons with Disabilities (Schedule 21)
74.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this or any other by-law, no person shall
park, stand, stop or leave a motor vehicle in any designated parking space set
out in Schedule 21 of this by-law except a motor vehicle,
(a)
that is operated by or carries a person with a disability, and
(b)
that is identified by a Accessible parking permit.
Display of Permit
75.
(1)
An Accessible parking permit shall be displayed on:
(a)
the inner surface of the windshield, as close as practicable to the
drivers side and as close as practicable to the left-hand side of
the motor vehicle, or
(b)
the outer surface of the sun visor on the drivers side of the
motor vehicle so as to be visible through the windshield from the
exterior of the car when the sun visor is in a lowered position.
Prohibitions Regarding Permits
76.
(1)
No person shall
35
Consolidated to May 11, 2026
(a)
use or permit the use of a defaced or altered Accessible parking
permit furnished by the Minister of Transportation;
(b)
use or permit the use of a Accessible parking permit furnished by
the Ministry of Transportation except the Accessible person to
whom the permit is issued; or a person transporting such person
with a disability;
(c)
without the authority of the person to whom a Accessible
parking permit has been issued, remove a Accessible parking
permit furnished by the Ministry of Transportation from a motor
vehicle.
Location and Allocation of Designated Parking Spaces
77.
(1)
A designated parking space shall be distinctly indicated in accordance
with the requirements of the Highway Traffic Act and as further
provided by the Corporation's Accessibility Guidelines.
(2)
The Corporation's Accessibility Guidelines shall be regarded to when
installing/establishing such parking spaces.
PART 7 - PRIVATELY-OWNED LOTS/PRIVATE PROPERTY
Privately-Owned Off Street Parking Lots
78.
(1)
All privately-owned parking lots shall erect and display signs stating the
conditions on which a motor vehicle may be parked or left on the
property or prohibiting the parking or leaving of a motor vehicle on the
property.
(2)
No person shall permit a vehicle to be parked in a privately - owned
parking lot or other parking facility without the authorization of the
owner of the parking lot or parking facility when signs are posted at all
entrances to such parking lot or parking facility prohibiting such
unauthorized parking.
(3)
No person shall permit a vehicle to be parked in the same parking
space in a privately-owned parking lot or other parking facility for a
longer period at any one time than the maximum period allowable, if
any, for such vehicle as prescribed by signs posted upon such lot or
facility.
(4)
No person shall park or leave a motor vehicle on private property
without the written consent of the owner or the occupant of the
property.
36
Consolidated to May 11, 2026
PART 8 - MOTORIZED SNOW VEHICLES
79.
(1)
Motorized snow vehicles may be operated within the City between the
hours of 6:30 am to 11:30 pm on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday,
Wednesday and Thursday and between the hours of 6:30 am to 12:00
midnight on Friday and Saturday.
(2)
Motorized snow vehicles shall not travel along any municipal sidewalk
within the City, but shall be permitted to cross such sidewalks for the
purpose of traveling from private property to a roadway or from a
roadway to private property.
PART 9 - GENERAL PROVISIONS
General Penalty
80.
(1)
Except where otherwise expressly provided by this by-law or the
Highway Traffic Act, every person who
(a)
contravenes any provision of this by-law; or
(b)
is the owner of a vehicle that is parked, standing or stopped in
contravention of any provision of this by-law,
is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to any penalty as
provided in the Provincial Offences Act.
(2)
Despite subsection (1), any person who contravenes any section Part 6
of this by-law is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to a fine
of not less than $300.00.
Illegally Parked Vehicles
81.
Where a vehicle has been left parked, standing or stopped in contravention of
this By-law, the owner of the vehicle, notwithstanding that he was not the
driver of the vehicle at the time of the contravention, is guilty of an offence
and is liable to the fine prescribed for the offence unless, at the time of the
offence, the vehicle was in the possession of some person other than the
owner without the owner's consent.
Towing of Illegally Parked Vehicles
82.
Where a vehicle has been left parked, standing, or stopped and is:
(a)
in contravention of any of the provisions of this by-law;
(b)
interfering with a street event where streets and/or parking lots are
closed;
(c)
interfering with snow removal and/or winter maintenance activities; or,
37
Consolidated to May 11, 2026
(d)
interfering with road or parking lot maintenance and/or construction
being undertaken by the City or its contractor;
a police officer/by-law enforcement officer/parking enforcement officer may, in
addition to attaching a parking infraction notice to the vehicle, cause the
vehicle to be taken to and placed in storage in a suitable place and all costs
and charges for removing, care and storage thereof, if any, shall be a lien
upon the vehicle which may be enforced pursuant to the Repair and Storage
Liens Act R.S.O. 1990, c. R 25 as amended or any successor legislation.
Excess Coins in Parking Meters
83.
Where a person deposits one or more coins in a parking meter or pay by plate
machine in excess of that required for the parking time allowed by the meter
or the pay by plate machine, no change shall be remitted, no increase in
parking time shall be allowed and no refunds shall be granted.
Executive Acts Authorized
84.
The Mayor and staff of the Corporation are hereby authorized to do all things
and to execute on behalf of and under the seal of the Corporation any
document necessary to give effect to this by-law.
Headings Not Part of By-law
85.
The headings in the body of this By-law form no part of the By-law but are
inserted for convenience of reference only.
Deviation From Form
86.
Where a form or words or expressions are prescribed in any Schedule to this
By-law, deviations therefrom not affecting the substance or calculated to
mislead do not vitiate them.
Conflict With Highway Traffic Act
87.
In the event of conflict between the provisions of this By-law and the Highway
Traffic Act, the provisions of the Highway Traffic Act prevail.
Signage
88.
Any signage previously erected under the authority of the by-laws listed in (1)
that is compliant with the provisions of this by-law shall be observed and
enforced as if such signage had been erected under the authority of this by
law.
Commencement
89.
This By-law comes into force and takes effect on when approval from the
Ministry of the Attorneys Office is received with respect to the fine amounts.
38
Consolidated to May 11, 2026
Short Title
90.
The short title of this By-law is the Traffic and Parking By-law.
91.
Notwithstanding anything contained in this By-law, City Council hereby grants
four-hour free parking on Saturdays from the first Saturday in December to
the last Saturday in April, that all other traffic and parking provisions in this
By-law remain in force and effect and that Council, by resolution of Council,
may amend, change or revise this Four-Hour Free Parking on Saturday from
the first Saturday in December to the last Saturday in April program at any
time and with any conditions as Council determines from time to time.
Read a FIRST, SECOND and THIRD time and
FINALLY PASSED this 15th day of December, 2008.
"Daniel B. Mathieson"_________________
Mayor - Dan Mathieson
"Joan Thomson"________________
Clerk - Joan Thomson
39
Consolidated to May 11, 2026
TABLE OF SCHEDULES
SCHEDULE
SECTION
DESCRIPTION
1
7
Prohibited Stopping on Specified Street
2
10
Prohibited Parking on Specified Street
3
11
Exemptions for Transit Bus
4
12
Prohibited Parking at Taxi Stands
5
14
Restricted Parking on Specified Streets
6
15
Angle Parking Permitted on Specified Streets
7
16
Prohibited Times of Loading and Unloading
8
18
Prohibited Turns
9
20
Entering Highway (Yield Signs on Specified Streets)
10
22
One Way Streets
11
23
Through Highways
12
24
Heavy Truck Restrictions
13
25
School Bus Loading Zones
14
32
Higher/Lower Speed Limits
15
33
15 Minute Metered Zones
16
34
30 Minute Metered Zones
17
35
4 Hour Metered Zones
18
36
12 Hour Metered Zones
19
59
Parking Permits
20
73
Designated Fire Routes
21
74
Designated Parking Spaces for Persons with
Disabilities
22
Description of Municipal Parking Lots