Ottawa rolls out a new administrative penalty system in June to speed up parking ticket disputes and ease court backlogs.
Ottawa Introduces Faster, Court-Free Way to Dispute Parking Tickets
Beginning in June 2025, motorists in Ottawa will no longer need to head to court to contest a parking ticket. The city is launching a new Administrative Penalty System (APS) aimed at making the dispute process faster, more efficient, and less costly—both for drivers and the city itself.
A Shift Away from Courts
Currently, parking, red-light, and photo radar camera tickets are processed through the Provincial Offences Act, meaning disputes are handled by provincial judges in court—a process known for its long delays.
Under the new APS, ticket reviews will be conducted independently by City-appointed screening and hearing officers, bypassing the provincial court system altogether. The goal is to resolve disputes within weeks or months, cutting down wait times and reducing municipal costs by up to 35%, according to a city report.
How the New Process Works
Once a parking ticket is issued, vehicle owners will have two options:
- Pay the ticket – Online, by mail, or in person at a City service centre.
- Request a review – Within 15 days of receiving the ticket, owners can apply for a review with a screening officer by submitting a form along with a written explanation and any supporting evidence.
If unsatisfied with the screening officer’s decision, a final appeal can be made to a hearing officer, who is legally trained and appointed by City Council. That officer’s decision is final and cannot be appealed.
Who Will Review the Tickets?
- Screening officers will follow strict, standardized criteria to review cases and may uphold, reduce, extend the payment timeline, or cancel the penalty.
- Hearing officers will preside over appeals and are selected for their experience in law and adjudication. Hearings will take place at the Mary Pitt Centre on Constellation Drive.
The city plans to appoint up to 30 hearing officers by 2026, available five to ten days each month.
Why the Change Matters
City officials say the APS will:
- Speed up ticket resolution
- Reduce the burden on provincial courts
- Lower legal costs for the city
- Improve flexibility and access for residents
The new system also opens the door for future expansion to handle disputes involving red-light cameras and photo radar.
As Ottawa modernizes its approach to bylaw enforcement, residents can expect a more streamlined and accessible process—starting with parking tickets but possibly expanding to broader traffic enforcement in the near future.
