Parking Tickets
Taking action on ‘look-a-like’ parking tickets
The City of Ottawa is taking steps to address an increased number of complaints over privately issued parking tickets – especially regarding designs that resemble City-issued tickets.
There is a prescribed legal process to address Provincial Offences tickets. Examples of City-issued tickets are available online.
The City is aware that there may be confusion or the potential for confusion over similar-looking tickets being issued by private companies. In fact, these private tickets are sometimes referred to as ‘look-a-likes’.
An official City-issued ticket will have the City of Ottawa’s logo on the top left corner of the front of the ticket. A ticket identification number is located on the top right corner of the City ticket.
Official Provincial Offences tickets issued by the City and City approved agencies also have barcodes used for internal tracking toward the bottom of the front side of the ticket.
The back of City-issued tickets lists various City-operated locations where tickets can be paid or contested.
Private companies may send open files to collection agencies which could affect your credit rating without you knowing it.
The City, meantime, is obligated by law to notify you between 15 and 35 days if you have not paid your City-issued parking ticket.
Eventually, unpaid City tickets could be forwarded to the Ministry of Transportation for payment when you renew your Ontario licence plate or to a Collection Agency for Quebec licence plates.
There is also a set appeals process in place for those who have received a City issued ticket and who elect to contest the fine.
Private companies seek payment through civil processes – which could be through small claims court and/or collection processes.
Get more information on official City of Ottawa policy for paying Provincial Offences tickets.
City staff will soon recommend that the Community & Protective Services Committee vote to follow the City of Toronto’s lead in attempting to license these private companies and ensure fairness for all.
