The Town of Orangeville has amended the Traffic By-law to limit road parking to one side of local streets throughout Orangeville.

Bylaw officers took an education-based approach during the first months of implementation. This grace period comes to an end on June 1, as ticketing and enforcement will begin. 

Please follow all posted signage on your streets and do not park where it is prohibited.

WHY THE CHANGES?

Limiting parking to one side of the road helps facilitate two-way traffic at all times, as well as improve access for larger vehicles. It will also improve access for emergency vehicles and winter maintenance equipment.

The bylaw was passed by Council to increase resident and driver safety by decreasing the number of cars parked on the street. Over the years, numerous concerns about areas where parking occurs on both sides of the street have been brought forward by operations staff, emergency services and residents. 

Reduced visibility meant drivers could not see other vehicles or pedestrians, facilitating two-way traffic becomes more difficult with vehicles on both sides, and emergency response vehicles cannot navigate as easily to respond to calls.

HOW DID THE TOWN DETERMINE WHICH SIDE TO LIMIT?

The decision was based on which side of the street the fire hydrants are located on. By keeping vehicles from parking on that side, firefighters will always be able to have safe and easy access to hydrants in the case of a fire.

DID THIS AFFECT ALL STREETS?

Local residential streets were predominantly impacted by the changes. Collectors and arterial roads were reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Several key areas throughout town will see no changes:

• Central Business District
• Mill Street between Broadway and Armstrong
• Young Court East of the entrance feature
• Any areas where parking is already restricted on both sides of the street – these restrictions will remain in place.

 Frequently Asked Questions

 ABOUT THE BYLAW

Q: When will the new one-sided parking restrictions begin?

A: Orangeville’s new regulations regarding one-sided parking began on January 9, 2023. 

 

Q: Why are there new parking rules?

A: The Traffic By-law was amended by council to increase resident and driver safety by decreasing the number of cars parked on the street. Over the years, numerous concerns about areas where parking occurs on both sides of the street have been brought forward by operations staff, emergency services and residents. 

 

Q: What safety issues did allowing parking on both sides of the street cause?

A: Reduced visibility meant drivers could not see other vehicles or pedestrians, facilitating two-way traffic becomes more difficult with vehicles on both sides, and emergency response vehicles cannot navigate as easily to respond to calls.

 

Q: I don’t want people parking in front of my house, but my side has now been designated for parking. Can the side be changed?

A:  For most streets, the side of the street chosen for no parking was based on the side of the road where fire hydrants are located. While changes to the program may be considered moving forward, they will be based on safety and functionality issues if they occur. 

 

Q: Where can I find more information about the Traffic By-law?         

A: There are many resources to help you navigate the new parking rules. First and foremost, always follow the marked signage on the road regardless of what information you have found on our website, social media or any other materials. 

SIGNAGE

Q: When did the operations team finish putting up signs?

A: More than 60% of the signs were installed by the start of the bylaw in January 2023. Due to winter freezing, and some delays with locates, the remaining 40% of signs were installed between January – June, 2023. As of June 1, all signs have been installed where no-parking is in place.

 

Q: The signs on my street seem too far apart – can we have more signs put up? 

A: The bylaw states that each sign should be about 50 metres apart from one another. If you notice that the signage is more than 50 metres apart from other signage, you can email the Town at [email protected]. 

 

Q: Can we move the location of a sign?

A: Signage was erected in areas based on many factors. Some include: attaching to existing signage, location of underground utilities, and within the spacing requirements of the bylaw. 
 TICKETING

Q: When will ticketing begin?

A: Ticketing will begin on June 1, 2023. The Town of Orangeville offered a grace period from January 9 until June 1 to allow for residents to adapt to the new parking rules during which time cars parked in no parking areas received educational materials about the program. 

 

Q: Why did the Town provide a grace period?

A: With such a big change, it takes time for residents to adapt. This also allowed time for staff to collect data on how the new parking rules are working and navigate any challenges that may be presented by the changes.

 

Q: How did the Town help residents adapt to the change?

A: Bylaw officers informed residents who are parking on the incorrect side, either in person or through an information slip in lieu of a ticket until June 1, 2023.

 

Q: Can tickets be waived?

A: If you receive a ticket and are parked in a no-parking zone, the ticket will not be waived.

 

Q: The signs on my street were recently installed – could I still get a ticket?

A: Yes, as soon as the sign is put up, and if you choose to park in a no-parking zone, you may be ticketed as of June 1. 

 

Q: I was told my street is being reviewed but the signage is still installed, will I still receive a ticket if I park there?

A: There are a number of streets being reviewed, however residents and visitors are required to follow all posted signage until the change is made and signage is moved/removed. If there is still a sign up, a ticket can be issued if parked in a no-parking zone. 

 

Q: If I see someone parking on the wrong side of the street, how can I report them?

A: Our by-law team will respond to inquires in the following channels:

 
 WINTER PARKING RESTRICTIONS
Q: Why are there two separate bylaws for parking restrictions?

A: The winter parking restrictions will remain in effect, in addition to the one-sided parking rules. The winter parking restrictions are to help allow the snowplows work overnight and to avoid parked cars delaying snow clearing. Between December 1 and March 31, there is no parking on the streets between 2am and 7am. During the day, parking is limited to the side of the street that permits parking. Between March 31 and December 1, parking is permitted overnight on the side of the street that permits parking. 
PARKING

Q: Am I able to park overnight in municipal parking lots?

A: Overnight parking in the municipal parking lots at the rear of 168–178 Broadway, 82–90 Broadway, Rotary Park, and Fendley Park is permitted in the rows designated by signage. You are permitted to park for up to 24 hours. 

 

Q: Am I able to obtain special permits to temporarily park in no-parking zones?

A: No – there is no permit or approval process to park in no-parking areas. 

 

Q: I’m worried I won’t be able to find parking, what should I do?

A: In addition to residential street parking, Orangeville offers free two-hour street parking within the downtown core as well as several free municipal parking lots. Learn more at Orangeville.ca/parking.

 

Public transit is another excellent option to save money and reduce vehicle emissions -  Orangeville Transit has been serving our community since 1991 and, as of this year, it’s FREE through the Fare-Free transit pilot program. No passes required. Learn more at Orangeville.ca/transit.