Parking in Toronto: An Introduction to Toronto Parking Permits, Shared Driveway Laws and even Parking Pads
A lot of you have asked me about parking in Toronto, so I thought I'd put this guide together for you. The basic situation is that you can't park anywhere for more than three hours without a permit.
What was once just a formality - getting a permit - is getting tougher and tougher in a lot of areas in Toronto. Places where there's a moratorium on the issuance of parking permits include large parts of Riverdale and Cabbagetown, as well as Ward 14 (Parkdale/High Park). This means the City is not accepting applications for front pad parking or driveway widening under any circumstances! If you are thinking of buying a home in the following Wards, there must be legal front pad parking already in existence on the property which can then be transferred into your name:
Wards no longer accepting applications for front pad parking or driveway widening
- 14 - Parkdale/High Park
- 18 - Davenport
- 19 - Trinity-Spadina
- 20 - Trinity-Spadina
- 27 - Toronto Centre - Rosedale
- 28 - Toronto Centre - Rosedale
- 30 - Toronto-Danforth
The new by-law which came into effect April 16, 2007 “Parking on Residential Front Yards and Boulevards, City of Toronto Municipal Code, Chapter 918,” outlines all the details. You can read the whole by-law here.
There are a couple of solutions. A short term one is requesting a visitor's parking permit, rather than a permanent one. The downside with this is that instead of paying $60 for six months, you will have to pay $150. Call it a city cash grab if you like, but if you really need to park your car, this will get you started.
For a longer term solution, many people in the permissible Wards are applying for the right to put a front parking pad on their property. For some it works out, for others not.
Here are some of the issues.
- If there are no parking pads on the street, you are likely to be turned down.
- If there are too many parking pads on the street, you are likely to be turned down.
- If a tree (Toronto the green) or a lamp post or a fire hydrant would be put at risk by your parking pad, you are almost certain to be turned down.
- If your mutual drive is 7 feet wide or wider between the houses, you will definitely be turned down.
What improves your chances is if you have a shared driveway. This means the curb is already cut and the City won't object to the loss of parking space in front of your house. It isn't there. Moreover, they are somewhat sensitive to the situation of people with a shared driveway. Where does that extra car go?
If you do share a driveway, the basic guidelines are like this. If your neighbour doesn't have a car, count yourself lucky. With good relations, he or she will probably let you have the driveway year round. Except when her nephew comes to visit from Thunder Bay for a week.
If you want to have a front parking pad, there are many city requirements, not least of which is a permit for that space.
But parking and permits is difficult stuff. I've outlined some of the theory for general interest purposes, and the city's own guidelines for parking permits follow, but call your local office for specific information on your own individual situation.
Private Driveway Parking
existing narrow driveway
parking area restricted to widened driveway
There cannot be any access to the rear of the property. In cases where the driveway is less than 2.6 metres wide, the driveway can be widened at the front to a maximum of 2.6 metres.
Mutual Driveway Parking
existing mutual driveway is too narrow
parking pad adjacent to mutual driveway
angle parking only permitted where tree
prevents parking perpendicular to
sidewalk or roadway
There cannot be any other access to the rear of the property. In cases where the driveway is less than 2.6 metres wide, the parking pad can be constructed adjacent to the mutual driveway.
- application form (PDF)
Click a link below to view specific permit information.
- The current use of the property must be a permitted use in accordance with the Zoning regulations.
- Where a poll is required, the results must be positive.
- The property is not within an area that was polled within the last 2 years where the result was negative.
- The property is not within Ward 18.View map.
- Parking is not permitted in front of the main front wall of a building for any property designated as CA, C1A, C1S or CR.
- Applicant must be the owner or occupant of the ground floor.
- Where the ground floor occupant does not want parking or there is additional space available, other occupants may apply.
- Minimum set back of 0.91 m from the sidewalk must be provided.
- Standard clearances from all trees (depending on size) must be provided.
- Vehicles parking on parking area must have a valid licence plate.
- Parking area is to be paved to the satisfaction of the General Manager, Transportation Services.
- Parking cannot be on a former Metropolitan Road.
- Parking cannot be on outer boulevard (any portion of the street between the curb and sidewalk).
- A suitable fence or barrier or other demarcation may be required to delineate the required setback area.
- A suitable barrier may be required to provide a separation between the parking and an abutting residential area.
- Applicant must obtain a permit prior to commencing any work within the City boulevard.
- Applicant must pay for the installation of ramping to provide access to the parking area.
- Applicant must sign a parking agreement.
- Chapter 90 (PDF), Polling and Notification Procedures, of the former City of Toronto Municipal Code
- Chapter 313 (PDF), Streets and Sidewalks, of the former City of Toronto Municipal Code
- Chapter 400, Traffic and Parking, of the former City of Toronto Municipal Code
- An application for Commercial Boulevard Parking must be completed and submitted along with payment to:
Transportation Services
Right of Way Management
433 Eastern Avenue, 2nd Floor
Toronto, Ontario M4M 1B7. - Sketch with relevant dimensions showing the parking proposal.
- For proposals that require a grade change greater than 0.6 m, detailed landscape plans may be required.
| Non refundable processing fee: | $302.19 + GST |
| Permit for construction of parking pad: | $122.56 |
| Annual fee: | Area 1 ** $350.55 + GST + PST |
| Annual fee: | Area 2 ** $265.94 + GST + PST |
- * Fees are subject to annual increase based on Consumers Price Index.
- ** Area 1: bounded on the east by the east side of Jarvis Street, on the north by the north side of Bloor Street East and West, on the west by the west side of University Avenue and on the south the lake.
- ** Area 2: remainder of the city
- A letter outlining the reason for the appeal is to be submitted to the General Manager, Transportation Services.
- The General Manager, Transportation Services reports to the Community Council. The General Manager, Transportation Services will conduct a poll and include the results of the poll in the report.
- Residents within the polling area will be notified of the hearing date.
- Appeals are not permitted within Ward 18.View map.
Removal of front yard parking pads
In an effort to maximize green space and preserve community streetscapes, the City currently has an incentive programs for restoring paved areas to sod:
- Plant a tree in the boulevard in the front of the house.
- Re-sod the area.
- Remove the curb out.
- Provide free down spout disconnection service.
- Offer a free water conservation audit to the property owner.
- Provide one year's free permit parking, for one vehicle in the household.
Location of front yard, driveway widening and residential boulevard parking pad to maximize landscaped open space
The following measures are in place to reduce the amount of paving used for Front Yard, Driveway Widening and Boulevard Parking:
limit paved areas to the driveway, parking pad and walkway areas
limit the size of the parking pad to a maximum of 2.6 metres (8.5 feet) wide by 5.9 metres (19.4 feet) long
locate the parking pad at right angle to the sidewalk, set back no more than 1.5 metres from the sidewalk
permit the parking pad on each lot to be angled to the sidewalk only if one mutual curb ramp is used for two adjacent lots (joint Front Yard Parking applications only)
limit the width of the walkway to 1.06 metres (3.5 feet)
require the parking pad and driveway to be paved with semi-permeable material
locate the parking pad, driveway and walkway adjacent to one another to consolidate soft landscaping and tree planting areas
the landscaped open space requirements of the Zoning By-law must be met on private property
A minimum of 50 percent of the boulevard and front yard must be maintained as landscaped open space for lots less that 15 metres.
A minimum of 60 percent of the boulevard and front yard must be maintained as landscaped open space for lots greater that 15 metres.
A minimum of 75 percent of the boulevard and front yard must be maintained as soft landscaping.
all sidewalk reconstruction costs and applicable fees must be paid by the applicant
Protection of street trees
The preservation and planting of street trees is crucial to the maintenance of healthy residential streetscapes and can play an important role in minimizing the effect of Front Yard, Driveway Widening and Boulevard Parking. To provide sufficient space for tree growth and planting, it is necessary to limit the amount of paving or impervious material such as concrete or interlocking brick used in front yards and on City boulevards.
Increased use of pervious materials will provide greater water infiltration to support trees and vegetation, in addition to diverting rainflow from the sewer system.
It is also important to consolidate tree planting areas to create places for trees to grow to maturity.
Paving in proximity to City trees must comply with the following specifications contained in Building Division Streetscape Manual:
Small trees |
|
Medium trees  |
|
|
|
Parking Permits
To determine whether your street or area is designated for permit parking and spaces are available contact the City at 416-392-7873 or email them at
In 2009 The City has advised all homeowners that a license for boulevard/front yard parking DOES NOT FOLLOW, the property, and that the new property owners need to apply to have the license agreement transferred.
Boulevard Parking Information on the City’s Website is available at www.toronto.ca/transportation, under “parking” , then “off-street parking” , and then “licensed locations.”Types of permits available and fees
Two types of permits are available in most areas: 6 and 12 month term resident-only permits; and, temporary resident or visitor permits.
6 and 12 Month:Permits are issued to residents only on a six months basis although permits for two consecutive terms are available. Terms are from December to May and from June to November. All permits issued during a term will be effective until the end of that term.
Permit fees vary according to a priority system based on need as reflected below:
No access to on-site parking for resident’s first vehicle:
$10.36/month plus GST
No access to on-site parking for resident’s second and any subsequent vehicles:
$25.91/month plus GST
Resident does have access to on-site parking (permit is for convenience):
$36.28/month plus GST
Provided space is available, a temporary parking permit may be purchased by residents and their guests to park a motor vehicle on a street designated under the permit parking program, at a cost of $15.61 (incl. GST) a week. This program generally services those residential areas where driveways are not common.
A City of Toronto temporary parking permit can be purchased online in four easy steps by clicking here. You can also call 416-392-7873 to inquire about the permits.
How to obtain a permit (including application, required documentation and payment)
To obtain a permit, one must:
Ensure that your street or area is designated for permit parking and spaces are available.
Complete a permit parking application form. You can download the .pdf file from here.
Assemble photocopies of proper documentation. Proper documentation includes a valid vehicle registration and valid driver’s licence containing your name and correct address. Other acceptable documents showing proof of residence include: formal lease agreement or utility bill; Purchase & Sale Agreement if the applicant is the owner of the property; Bank Statement/Credit card statement, etc.; and Change of address receipt from Canada Post.
If there is currently parking on the property where you reside, you must provide evidence that you do not have access to it in order for you to obtain a permit at a lower fee. Such proof includes:
For applicants who own the property: a photocopy of the ownership(s) of vehicle(s) registered to that address and parked on the property.
For applicants who are tenants: a letter from the property owner stating that access to on-property parking is not available. If you live in an apartment, condominium, or town house, the letter should be on letterhead from property management.
Determine appropriate payment.
If purchasing in person: cash; credit card (VISA, MasterCard, or American Express); debit card; and personal cheque or money order, made payable to “Treasurer, City of Toronto”.
If purchasing by mail: personal cheque or money order, made payable to “Treasurer, City of Toronto”
Submit application, documentation and payment, in person or by mail to the City.
New Residential Front Yard and Boulevard Parking Regulation
A new by-law regarding front yard parking in the City of Toronto came into effect on April 16, 2007. To download the by-law, please click here. For specific questions on how the by-law can affect you, please contact your local office:
Etobicoke York District – Wards 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 11, 12, 13 & 17. Please call 416-394-8419
North York District – Wards 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 23, 24, 25, 26, 33 & 34. Please call 416-395-7431
Toronto and East York District – Wards 14, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 & 32. Please call 416-392-7768
Scarborough District – Wards 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43 & 44. Please call 416-396-7505
I live in a corner house (Coxwell north of Danforth) and would like to put in a driveway and possible garage. What is involved?
I Need Help!! I received approval from the city to have a varience to the by-law April 2008, so I can get a driveway, as I have a decent size front yard (Danforth & Pharmacy). This was $655.20. Just about every other house on our street has a driveway with a tree, so I thought everything would be o.k. Well I got a call from Tom Underhill who said absolutley not. I don’t understand, when again most of the houses on our street that have a tree, have a driveway, and there driveways are pretty much but up against the tree. The people who park in front of my house are closer to the tree than I would be, and they are there 24/7. the umbrella of the tree spreads over the street, and not my house. Any suggestions/advice/help ?
I was told by the city that if street permit parking is available that they would not issue a permit for pad parking even if you have no plans to encroach the curb or public space as you’ve described in the mutual driveway parking description above. Could you let me know what your interpretation of the bylaw is as well as your experience in these circumstances. Has something changed as of late?
Thanks!
I live in ward 16 and am considering pad parking. I have no parking now — only a shared drive that is too narrow for a car to pass (i.e. less than 2.5 meters). It is primarily used so our neighbors can have access to their backyard. Currently they are allowing us to park in the shared drive but this may not last down the road. Recently (June 2008) someone told me that there is no more pad parking allowed in ward 16. Does anyone know anything about this new restrictions? Thanks.
Is it OK to vent a new (high eficiency) furnace and locate a (narrow) Air Conditioning unit on my side of the mutual drive (East York)? I’ve heard conflicting opinions about this, some saying it must be 7 ft above ground.
hi I live carr st. between bathurst and queen area, I have a parking space for one van and i have another van, is it possible to get a residental parking permit for my van what do i need to get it
We’re in the Woodbine / Danforth area of the city and we have backyard parking, accessible through a shared drive which is less than 7′ across. No permissable street parking.
To park in the backyard, I have to fold the mirrors in on my car to navigate the narrow drive and if it’s icy? Not possible without risking hitting either home.
Question: Since we’re already zoned for the parking spot in back and if any proposed plans meet the by-law, does anyone think the city might consider a varience moving the pad from the back to the front? The net-new parking pads would be zero (lose the one in the back, gain one in the front).
I’m just not sure if I want to lose the hundreds of $’s if they’ll just immediately decline the request. Thoughts would be appreciated.
Hi Cameron,
I consulted a real estate lawyer to help answer this question – unfortunately he didn’t even know the legal width of a mutual drive, that the city would consider it unreasonable to use as a right of way/mutual drive.
Personally I think the city of Toronto is focused on keeping it as green as possible, visible by the public, so they are keeping front pads to a minimum. They also don’t want to approve one person without approving the neighbours – rules are pretty strict around this. Keeping in mind unless the mutual drive is removed from title you are not allowed to put up a fence and turn it into your own property.
Hope that this helps.
I am planing a trip on Via Rail that will take about 10 or 11 days and need a place to park my car close to Union Station, can you supply a location and rates?
Thanks,
Bill
Have fun on your trip. We are a real estate team that specializes in resale residential homes and condos in Toronto, and our parking section is to help our clients who are buying or selling with their parking needs. Sorry we can’t help you on this one!
Hello, we have lived in the same house for many years (ward 32 south of danforth) and we have always parked in two parking spots side by side on our property. This summer the city came by and re-paved the curbs in our area and they actually built up the curb in front of one of our spots! The foreman checked and insisted that it was only zoned for one spot, hence they built up the curb. We’ve been parking there ever since without ever receiving a ticket or warning. Would it be easy to go to the city to have this reversed? It’s been like this FOREVER and nobdy ever parks on the curb in front of our spot because it is so blatantly obvious that it is a parking spot. We’re scared the city will not only reject us but also start fining us as well if we go to ask them for advice. Also would we start getting charged an annual fee even if they did allow this 2nd spot? What should we do??
There is a mutual right of way (driveway) between our house and the neighbour. We have a legal parking pad and a permit for street parking for our second car. Our neighbour insists that he be allowed to put his garbage cans and park his car in the mutual right of way because the woman who he purchased his house from did so before him. What are our rights? We want the mutual right of way to be kept clear.
Thank you so mcuh
Hi Heather, Thank you for your question.
It sounds like you are correct – neither neighbour is allowed to park/place anything on the mutual drive, it is a right of way essentially for everyone to use to access their property they own. You’ll need your survey to show your lawyer etc if it comes to that.
Hope this helps, have a good day!
The Julie Kinnear Team
We have been residing at Woodbine & Gerrard since 1999 and have always parked our car at the back of our house, just like the other homeowners who have parked their cars at the back of their house. Yesterday, we got a ticket for “parking at the rear of xxx Woodbine for more than 3 hours”. The house number indicated on the ticket is not our house number but the next door’s number. I don’t understand why the city gave us a ticket when the car is parked at the back of our property. I thought the city won’t touch this parking spot as I believe it’s part of the ownership of the property, and the joy and the privilege to park on the property that we have paid propety taxes for 10 years now. A while ago I went to the Parking Tag Operations to dispute the ticket and have to wait for the trial date, who knows when. What an inconvenience!
Quick question – We have a mutual driveway that runs to the back of our property. The nieghbors demo’d their house and built a new home with a private drive and garage. No they no longer have a need for access to the driveway as they can get in and out of thier yard on the other side of the house. I approached the builder and asked if he would be interested in selling/severing his piece of the mutual drive. He agreed and I am in the research phase to see if this is even doable. It would save a lot of headaches for both of us as well as the benefits. Do you have any thoughts on this or maybe have heard of a similar situation? Thanks.
Hi Jay,
I think it is a good idea. You would likely need an up-to-date survey that the builder probably has. You will have to get a real estate lawyer involved to help revise title. The question of value is interesting – your lawyer may have precedents. We don’t hear about it much on our end things. I hope this helps and Good Luck with it!
The Julie Kinnear Team
I purchased a house 7 years ago with a shared driveway that is not wide enough to park in, and a non-permitted paved parking pad to the left of the shared driveway. I have always wondered about getting the permit for it. Now my neighbour is renting the house and there are 3 cars parking in the shared driveway and on their lawn. At times it leaves me little room on the shared driveway to park (even though my property line is in the middle), and I’m forced to use the parking pad more and more. The curb is not cut however, and I get blocked in at time from people parking on the street. I’m afraid to apply for a permit for the pad, thinking that if it is refused they will make me dig up the current pad and then I will have no parking. I also can’t call the city to complain about my neighbour parking on their lawn (which would the reduce the number of cars parked and allow me to park), since my pad is not legal. Thoughts?
Hi Jeremy, We get many questions about mutual drives and thank you for yours. We suggest you call the city and or city councillor in your area – blocking your phone # perhaps as well so the call is anonymous – and ask about possibility of getting legal parking on a widened driveway in your ward – some neighbourhoods have closed off the possibility altogether, others still allow with curbs already cut. It depends on proximity of trees or hydrants near the pad as well. Good luck with everything.
The Julie Kinnear Team
I purchased a house in North York area a year ago and the property has a fairly narrow shared parking with the neighbours. This weekend our neighbour (who did not like us from day one and does not speak to us) just decided to put a small fence and it looks like he gave himself a bigger space. No measurements, I wanted to know whether that is legal? Our situation is like that of Cameron, who wrote you on the 17th January, 2009, there is a mutual parking on my title? Is my neighbour allowed to do that?
Hi Peggie, You will have to refer back to the survey of your home. That will show you your property line. You then contact the lawyer that you would have used when you purchased your home to look at it and give you the proper information on how to proceed. If you did not receive a survey upon purchase, there are companies that will do them for you. If you have any trouble locating one you can email us back and we can refer one to you.
Thank you for your question and have a good day!
Hi, I am renting a room in a basement while I go to school, in ward 23, and the parking is a little crammed. It is a standard driveway and can fit two cars wide. The land lord takes the two spots closest to the house and told us (me and my other room mate that has a car as well) that we can park in the space between the street and the sidewalk. Is that legal? If I park it right my car only sticks out a little into the street and a little onto the sidewalk. If that isnt legal am I allowed to just park on the road in front of the house, at least until winter?
I have a parking pad and I pay to have a City of Toronto parking permit for this parking pad. Why is it that anyone who wants to park behind my car and blocking my driveway can do so without any reprecussions? I don’t think that is fair as I am the resident paying for the permit in the first place. Do I have to have a ramp made so that it is more visible to other motorists or can I paint the curb so that they can visualize where they can park. As we have maintained the existing walkway and parking pad which are of the same stone pavers and not a PAVED driveway which may not be very noticable to other motorists.
Hi Cassie,
Thanks for your passionate email – no doubt you are not alone in this frustration. Not sure if there is a rule about painting the edges of your parking spot, but I do see lots of properties where they do it with the street yellow paint, to dilineate, it sounds like a great idea to me. I have seen it done before, I assume the city did it or homeowner.
J.
Hi Geoffrey,
It sounds like the driveway can really only fit 2 cars, which is an issue you will have to bring up with your landlord. It is not possible to park anywhere onto the sidewalk or the road. I would recommend you look into getting a permit to park on the street year round, it is not too expensive – somewhere around $130 for the year, to avoid a ticket, if your street allows permit parking.
Thanks as always from everyone reading this for your input!
J.
Hi Julie,
Just wondering if there is any way to obtain a long term street parking pass for nonresidents?
Hi Savannah,
I am unsure if that is possible or not possible but here is a link to the City of Toronto parking. You should be able to get any info you need re: parking here.
http://www.toronto.ca/transportation/parking/index.htm
Have a great day!
I share a mutual right of way driveway (legally deeded) with my neighbour. The mutual driveway accesses our indiviudal garages at the rear of our respective property. The area directly infront of the garage is private property (not part of the deeded right of way.) I park my car within the garage thus freeing up the space infront of my garage, and rear of the house.
My neighbor does not use their garage to park their 3 cars. Rather they park them infront of their garage, on their property. They use not only the mutual driveway, but also my rear yard (private property) to reverse out of their space and do a 3 point turn, so they can conveniently drive to the street. Unfortunately I have to reverse all the way to the street I have no such reciprocal luck to turn around, as their property is ‘chock a block’ with their cars.
My question is this; I wish to install removable posts to along the edge of the mutual driveway to deter the neighbors from reversing onto my property. (They are spatially ‘challenged’ and have already backed into my car, and my trailer, causing a fair bit of damage.) Am I running afoul of any regulations? (Again, I would install the posts on my private property – well off the deeded right of way. ) Help….
Hi Jeremy,
There is bit more involved in your question than we feel we can answer. You can’t put anything on a mutual drive. It has to be clear for mutual use. You should consult a or your real estate lawyer and have them look at your survey that way you are getting proper legal advice. Good Luck with this!
The Julie Kinnear Teamhttp://juliekinnear.com/site/wp-admin/edit-comments.php#comments-form
I have a legal parking pad in the front of my house. My neighbour across the street is very vocal about his objection to parking pads. He insists on parking his vehicle a few feet from the edge of the parking pad and therefore, blocks part of my pad. Is there a legal distance that a vehicle must abide by in order not to block the pad?
thanks very much.
Hi Ellen, Thank you for your question. I have included the link to the City of Toronto parking page for you to have a look at. You will be able to locate the information you are looking for there. Or you can call the city directly. http://www.toronto.ca/services/alpha_dir.htm#P
Have a great day!
I have a mutual driveway and was wondering what can be done if someone including a neighbour parks on the drive without my permission? Can the car be towed?
Hi – I live in the city of Toronto and Have a mutaul drive do you know if it is possible to get a lawyer to write a letter to my neighbour explaning excatly what a mutual drive way is? they park in the back but have guest’s that come visit from time to time and park in the drive way – but we want it kept clear at all times
My neighbour have a school bus park on their driveway every day. For some strange reason, they start the school bus randomly through-out the day and leave it running for over 30 minutes without moving it. It is legal to park school bus on the driveway? and leave it running for over 30 minutes? Where can i report and complain this ? Thanks.
I have a right of way deeded to myself and 3 other property owners. My property is on the very end, does not have a parking space and is only accessible by means of a door. One of the property owners has started allowing his tenants to park infront of my yard door on the right of way, instead of in his rear yard, thereby severely limiting my access. My conversations with him have proved useless. What are my options?
Hi Greg,
“Mutual driveways and pathways are described in a homeowner’s deed of ownership and refer to property that is “shared” by two neighbours. The City has no bylaws or guidelines with respect to this as it is a private property issue. It is generally understood that both neighbours share in the maintenance of this area and that this area is not obstructed by parked vehicles or the placement of permanently-fixed objects. If the area is in serious disrepair and one neighbour refuses to contribute to the cost of repair, a Municipal Standards Officer can issue a work order to both owners. Disputes between neighbours regarding the mutual driveway can only be legally settled in civil court” City of Toronto – Mutual Drive http://www.toronto.ca/faq/bylaws.htm#mutualdrive
You can contact your lawyer and get his legal advice.
Hope this helps!
The Julie Kinnear Team
Hi Steven,
Contacting your lawyer for their legal advice is our recommended action to take.
“Mutual driveways and pathways are described in a homeowner’s deed of ownership and refer to property that is “shared” by two neighbours. The City has no bylaws or guidelines with respect to this as it is a private property issue. It is generally understood that both neighbours share in the maintenance of this area and that this area is not obstructed by parked vehicles or the placement of permanently-fixed objects. If the area is in serious disrepair and one neighbour refuses to contribute to the cost of repair, a Municipal Standards Officer can issue a work order to both owners. Disputes between neighbours regarding the mutual driveway can only be legally settled in civil court” City of Toronto – Mutual Drive http://www.toronto.ca/faq/bylaws.htm#mutualdrive
Good Luck!
The Julie Kinnear Team
Hi Tom,
You should contact your real estate lawyer and ask them for their legal advice on this matter.
The Julie Kinnear Team
Hi Alan,
I am unsure to whom you could call. But I use the City of Toronto website for research into situations like this. You can log onto http://www.toronto.ca and you should be able to find information as to who to call or email. Good Luck!
The Julie Kinnear Team
Hi there,
I also have an issue – i have a walkway (not large enough to drive a vehicle through) attached to my propoerty. It is not shared with the next door neighbors as they have fenced in their side of the property – was done before we bought the place. There are no garages at the back (again cars cannot go through). The end of the walkway lands into the backyard of some houses on a different street. These people have used this walkway to go back and forth from the back of their houses and have turned it into their personal entrance, however, this means i have a lot of foot traffic through the side of my house and cars parking illegally. This walkway is wholly my property and i’d like to fence it in to prevent all the traffic, how can i go about doing this? Your help is appreciated
Hi,
In the last two days, I have received 3 parking tickets, for unauthorized parking on boulevard. I have a front yard parking pad. When I purchased my home four years ago, I went to the city and paid $300 or so — I think to have the pad transferred into my name. At the time, the city was re-doing the sidewalks and it was rebuilt with the curb dipped for parking. Why am I getting tickets for parking here now? I called the city yesterday and they said that my car must be on the sidewalk– it is not. What should I do? And do I need a permit for my parking pad?
Please catch up with the rest of Toronto, after all we did amalgamate 13 years ago, no?? So, please do not let this by-law of parking no-longer than 3 hours continue. It’s such an embarrassment to our love of this city. Also, what’s this about city-housing issues and conjesting the streets?? Most people in city-housing cannot afford a car, insurence and maintenance on a car, so that is a moot point. Thank you. Also, by the way, I’ve been able to rent a parking spot off the street close to my apartment building that does not have parking for the tenants. This is costing me an extra $55.00 per month. So, I’m safe now from being ticketed in the middle of the night.
Here’s a strange question, I’m hoping someone can answer. My dad has a trailer in his backyard which is parked on the grass and is having problems with the city saying that he can’t have it parked there and that it needs to be parked on a paved pad. Can someone direct me to a by-law that enforces this?
Permit parking needs to be “clearly” stated as above you note in your information. Some have recently learned that “Ensure that your street or area is designated for permit parking and spaces are available” can be misunderstood. Even by the parking enforcement personnel. There are two types of permits issued. One type has a general area number that incompases ‘an area”. That number is provided on your sticker when purchased”, and the rules specifically state.. “permits issued on an area basis will have the corresponding area shown on the face of the permit. A permit holder with such a permit may park on any street authorized and signed, which bears the same area code.” Permits issue on a street-name basis will have a five digit code number typed on face of permit. They may only park on that specific street. HOWEVER, and this is very important. Just because a street is within “your area” and you have been provided a sticker/permit, that does not mean you can park in that area…IT MUST ONLY be on streets “in the area” that have specific permit parking signs. And not many in the area do…having parked for well over two years with a permit in the same spot which under the rules seemed to be correct, the new parking officers hired are now ticketing daily after a ’specific time” as there is no “permit parking sign” that clearly shows the ‘area’ designation . And there is not one nearby either. Apparently there exists at the transportation dept a computer generated list which you must check to see if the “street” or “section of street” in your “area” is designated as permit parking. The new parking enforcemnent officers recently added to that department don’t even look for your sticker/permit unless the street/section in your area you are on has a specific “permit parking” signage..watch out. For last three days, our area has now had yellow tickets on every car who thought they were OK. But, apparently, we have all misunderstood for last few years, or the rules aren’t clearly written because not everyone would make the same mistake. YIKES..only city hall
Hi – I live in Etobicoke – we are a corner lot with a very large frontage. We currently have a single driveway with a single car garage and would like to expand the driveway to a double. At the end of the existing driveway, there is a small ditch with drainage running under the width of the driveway.
Are there any bylaws stopping us from doing so?
Our neighbor is now building a parking pad in the rear which has never existed on either of our properties. We cannot have a front pad parking because of a large tree in the middle of the front yard. The mutual driveway is 7.2 wide and I can’t imagine successfully navigating a car down it. Is there anyway around the tree issue for the front yard and can we oppose the construction of a parking pad in the rear?
Hello,
We have a shared driveway with our neighbour – the problem is that we both have young children and it was mutually agreeded that we put a gate (Wonderful/awesome) to allow the children to play in the back yard. The only problem is that for whatever reason the neighbours FAIL to close the gate when they leave the property or come into the property putting my child’s safety are risk (he’s only 3yrs old)…just last week their babysitter failed to close the gate and lucky for me (being a quick mother) I stopped my son from going a full speed down the driveway and onto the street.
My question is – we would like to build a fence around our property in order to keep my child safe. basically we have a mutual driveway and we have no fence separating both properties – which was nice it allowed the children to play around and not be limited to space. But unforunately we have NO CHOICE but to build a fence around our property coming from the gragage to the house. Is this allowed provided that we obviously stay within our property line.
Any feed back is greatly appreciated.
Concern parent
Hi Cristina,
That is a total drag that your neighbours aren’t holding up their end of the deal.
Since it is a mutual drive, you can not block any access to their property. I believe you are able to build a fence, as long as it does not infringe on the mutual drive.
Are parking pads permits only issued for single vehicle parking only. This would be for number of vehicles that can actually park on the pad.
Can the parking pad be interlocking stone or must it be paved?
thanks,
New parking pads have more environmentally friendly standards with the city of toronto – paving is no longer preferred as the water goes running into the sewer system rather than an interlocking or stone situation where water seeps through. Also other requirements are % of greenery vs parking spot. Each parking pad permit is for 1 car.
Hope that helps you Willie!
J.
I live in Toronto in a house with a mutual driveway. For years I have been paying for licensed front yard parking. My neighbor parks his car adjacent to mine but he DOES NOT HAVE a permit. My question is, is he allowed to do so? If not, what steps do I need to take? Thanks for your assistance.
I bought a condo in a building on Queen Street East. Before purchasing, as the unit did not come with a parking space, I phoned the city to ask whether they issue parking permits on the street for that property. Based on that I made the investment,moved in and asked the property management for a letter that states that I live there and there’s no parking in-site. Went to the city hall and… suprise!!!!… the closest street where I can park is 4 blocks away from the building. There is a NO EXIT street just by the west side of the building, that unfortunately is not included within Zone E7 catchment area but has a machine to purchase a parking ticket if you want to park your car on that no-exit street(what a coincidence!!!)Is there any bylaw that sets limits to convert no-exit streets into parking-permit area?. Is it just a matter of soliciting my city councillor to add street to the ZONE 7E boundaries? Any idea?
There is a driveway between my house and the neighbor. They own 8′5″ and I own 6′10″ of it. My deed does not say anything about mutual driveway. My neighbors (who are renters) park their vehicles on the driveway and partially over their property line. I have asked them not to park on the driveway since they have a 2 car garage and an illegal front parkng pad. They keep parking there even with their landlord asking them not to. They even hit my car on 3 occasions opening their doors (I have a legal front parking pad which I pay annual dues for).My questions are: Can I erect a fence along my property? (it will not block their access to the back, but it will not allow them to park on the driveway. They won’t be able to open their doors). On average, how much does going through lawyers cost?
Thx.
Mike