Parking beside a fire hydrant can result in a ticket and, under certain circumstances, your car being towed. The Ontario Driver’s Handbook says not to park within three metres of a fire hydrant. However, municipalities set their own parking rules and fines.
For this guide, we reviewed the Ontario Ministry of Transportation Driver’s Handbook, Ontario Regulation 604, Toronto Municipal Code Chapters 950 and 610, Ottawa’s parking fine schedule, Mississauga’s Administrative Penalty By-law, and London’s parking and penalty bylaws.
Read on for information about parking distances, how to measure them, how much some Ontario cities may fine you and what to do if you get a ticket.
What Are the Fire Hydrant Parking Rules in Ontario?
In many Ontario municipalities, you must keep all parts of the vehicle at least three metres, or about 10 feet, from the curb or roadway edge facing the hydrant. This applies even if the hydrant is behind the sidewalk or boulevard. A sign or painted curb isn’t necessarily required.
Check your municipality’s bylaw to find out how close you’re permitted to park. Toronto, Ottawa and Mississauga have a three-metre rule, while London has a two-metre rule.
Other no-stopping, fire-route or temporary restrictions may also apply.
How to Measure the Required Distance
Measure from the point on the roadway directly in front of the fire hydrant, not from the bumper directly to the hydrant. It makes no difference if the hydrant is set back from the curb. This is how the City of Toronto measures the distance.
- Find the point on the curb aligned with the hydrant. If there is no curb, use the aligned point on the roadway edge.
- Measure along the curb or road edge toward your vehicle.
- If the buffer isn’t clear because of snow, shrubs or a curved curb, leave more space so no part of your vehicle extends into it.
Current Fire Hydrant Parking Fines in Selected Ontario Cities
Base penalties verified as of August 25, 2026. The total may include late-payment, collection, towing or storage charges. Penalties and rules can change, so check the notice and the issuing municipality’s website.
| Municipality | Distance | Base penalty | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto | 3 metres | $125 | Municipal Code Chapters 950 and 610 |
| Ottawa | 3 metres | $80 if paid within seven days; $100 set fine | Parking fine schedule |
| Mississauga | 3 metres | $120 | Administrative Penalty By-law 0282-2013 |
| London | 2 metres | $110 | Traffic and Parking By-law and AMPS By-law |
What Can Happen if You Park Too Close?
Enforcement officers can issue a penalty even when there is no sign. In Toronto, for example, parking within three metres of a hydrant is an unsigned parking restriction.
According to Toronto’s parking-violation guidance, parking violations do not add demerit points or affect your driver’s abstract.
If permitted under the applicable bylaw, a vehicle may also be moved or towed. There is no single Ontario-wide towing or storage charge. Costs vary by municipality, towing arrangement and the amount of time the vehicle remains in storage.
If a parking fine goes into default, it may prevent you from renewing your licence plate until the fine and applicable fees are paid. Ontario provides more information about defaulted vehicle fines.
Hydrants on Private Property and Designated Fire Routes
Parking next to a hydrant on private property is not necessarily permitted. Municipal rules, posted restrictions and designated fire-route rules may still apply.
Under Ottawa’s Fire Routes By-law, vehicles parked unlawfully in a fire route may be towed and stored at the owner’s expense.
In Mississauga, enforcement on private property requires authorized signs and authorization from the property manager or owner. Always check posted fire-route signs and confirm the municipality’s rules.
How to Pay or Dispute a Fire Hydrant Ticket
Processes differ by municipality, so follow the instructions and deadline on your notice.
- If it is safe, take a wide photo showing your vehicle, the hydrant, the curb or roadway edge and any relevant signs before moving to a legal parking spot.
- Take a photo of the notice. Measure from the point on the curb or roadway edge aligned with the hydrant to the closest part of your vehicle.
- Use only the contact information printed on the notice or published on the municipality’s website. Don’t follow payment links sent through unsolicited texts or social-media messages.
- Toronto begins its dispute process with a screening review. You generally must request a screening within 15 days and cannot dispute the notice after paying it, even partially.
If the issue is complicated or has serious consequences, consult a lawyer or licensed paralegal. Photos and measurements may support your explanation, but they do not guarantee that the penalty will be cancelled.
Read More: Review Your Options for an Ontario Traffic Ticket
Will a Fire Hydrant Parking Ticket Affect Insurance?
Generally, no. Parking tickets typically do not affect insurance because they are not moving convictions.
FSRA identifies accidents, tickets and convictions as possible rating factors, while Toronto confirms that parking tickets do not affect your driving record or add demerit points.
Read More: See How Parking Tickets Affect Car Insurance