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Home My WebLink AboutCSD-2024-431 - Increased Penalty Fines for Parking ViolationsStaff Report J KtgR Community Services Department www. kitchen er.ca REPORT TO: Community and Infrastructure Services Committee DATE OF MEETING: June 2, 2025 SUBMITTED BY: Gloria MacNeil, Director or Enforcement, 519-741-2200 ext. 7952 PREPARED BY: Gloria MacNeil, Director or Enforcement, 519-741-2200 ext. 7952 WARD(S) INVOLVED: All DATE OF REPORT: May 12, 2025 REPORT NO.: CSD -2024-431 SUBJECT: Increased Penalty Fines for Parking Violations RECOMMENDATION: That Council approve the attached schedule under the Administrative Monetary Penalty System (AMPS) to increase penalty fines for parking violations as outlined in CSD -2024-431. REPORT HIGHLIGHTS: • Parking fines have not been increased in the City of Kitchener since 2008. • City of Kitchener parking fines are considerably lower than surrounding municipalities. • Staff are recommending an increase of $10 for most parking violations and a larger fine amount for any safety related parking restrictions. BACKGROUND: The City's parking fine structure has not undergone an update since 2008. Staff have reviewed the current fine structure to assess whether they continue to serve as an effective deterrent and to remain consistent with those imposed by neighbouring municipalities. Aligning our fines with regional comparators better reflects current enforcement and administrative costs. REPORT: Staff are recommending an increase of $10 for each parking violation, this increase will help align Kitchener's parking fines with our neighbouring municipalities. Staff have flagged five violations that are in place to address safety concerns and are recommending higher fine increases for these to appropriately reflect the associated safety risks. These specific fines include school zones, fire routes, fire hydrants, snow events and accessible parking. Increasing of parking fines will allow Kitchener's parking fines more closely aligned to those of our neighbouring municipalities. The Bylaw Enforcement Division has seen a substantial increase in the number of complaints related to parking violations year over year. The increased volume in residents' complaints has resulted in the need to add additional staffing coverage and shifts to maintain response levels and enforcement. Typically, fines are intended to act as a deterrent. Staff believe higher fines in combination with other strategies, such as the use of technology, will begin to curb or maintain complaint levels from increasing further. *** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. *** Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance. Page 3 of 41 The chart below displays the number of parking complaints responded to each year since 2017 and demonstrates the year over year increase. As shown in the chart, the total number of complaints have doubled over the past seven years. The chart also includes the number of parking tickets issued in the same time frame demonstrating a similar pattern of increased enforcement annually. Annual Number of Parking Complaints/Tickets *Drop in 2020 was related to the pandemic where parking enforcement was suspended for several months. Staff have also provided a chart outlining the most common parking violations and subsequent fine amounts that are currently approved within the City of Kitchener and included the comparable fine amounts from the cities of Waterloo, Cambridge and the Region of Waterloo. The chart below clearly demonstrates that the majority of Kitchener's fines are lower than the other three municipalities Current Parking Penalty Fines and Comparators to Neighbouring Municipalities 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 Complaints 7826 9091 10081 7495 9714 12687 14575 17162 Tickets Issued 61,998 69,354 70,078 44,556 46,423 61,448 67,135 67,191 *Drop in 2020 was related to the pandemic where parking enforcement was suspended for several months. Staff have also provided a chart outlining the most common parking violations and subsequent fine amounts that are currently approved within the City of Kitchener and included the comparable fine amounts from the cities of Waterloo, Cambridge and the Region of Waterloo. The chart below clearly demonstrates that the majority of Kitchener's fines are lower than the other three municipalities Current Parking Penalty Fines and Comparators to Neighbouring Municipalities *school bus loading zone only — no "School Zone" specific Staff are recommending an average increase of $10 to each of the penalty fines, with the exception of parking violations that have a safety component to them, the penalty fines associated with these are higher and vary depending on the violation. Proposed Parking Penalty Fines with Increased Amounts Bylaw Private Property Overnight Parking 230am- 600am Over 3 hour limit Parked over Sidewalk No Parking Fire Hyd- rant Fire Route Accessible Parking Space Stopped in School Zone Kitchener $25 $30 $20 $25 $25 $25 $75 $300 $80 Waterloo $40 $40 $40 $45 $50 $80 $80 $400 $100 Cambridge $35 $45 $35 $40 $35 100 $100 $400 *$55 Region $25 $40 $35 $35 $60 $50 $75 $300 $90 *school bus loading zone only — no "School Zone" specific Staff are recommending an average increase of $10 to each of the penalty fines, with the exception of parking violations that have a safety component to them, the penalty fines associated with these are higher and vary depending on the violation. Proposed Parking Penalty Fines with Increased Amounts Bylaw Private Overnight Over Parked No Fire Fire Accessible Stopped Property Parking 3 over Parking Hydrant Route Parking in 230am- hour sidewalk Space School 600am limit Zone Current $25 Fine $25 $30 $20 $25 $25 $75 $300 $80 Amount Proposed $10 $10 $10 $10 $10 $25 $25 $100 $20 Increase New Fine $35 $40 $30 $35 $35 $50 $100 $400 $100 Amount Page 4 of 41 STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT: This report supports the delivery of core services. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: Staff do anticipate that higher fines may lead to increased revenue, however the intent of increased fines is to deter behaviour. It is difficult to predict the increase or how long it may be sustained, staff did see a decrease in the number of tickets issued in 2008 after fines were increased which impacted the annual fine revenue and foresee a similar response. The other anticipated challenge is fine collection, which is completed on the City's behalf by Service Ontario, staff have no control over when fines are paid, and collection can be delayed. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: INFORM — This report has been posted to the City's website with the agenda in advance of the council / committee meeting. APPROVED BY: Michael May, DCAO Appendix A: Set Fines — Administrative Monetary Penalty's Page 5 of 41 SCHEDULE "A" DESIGNATED BY-LAWS, SHORT FORM WORDINGS AND ADMINISTRATIVE PENALTIES 1. The provisions of each by-law listed in Column 2 of the following tables are Designated By-laws. 2. Column 3 in the following tables sets out the short form wording to be used in a Penalty Notice for the contravention of the designated provisions listed in Column 2. 3. Column 4 in the following tables sets out the Administrative Penalty amount that is payable for a contravention of the designated provision listed in Column 2 for the matter(s) identified in Column 3. CITY OF KITCHENER TRAFFIC & PARKING BY-LAW NUMBER 2019-113, AS AMENDED FROM TIME TO TIME OR ANY SUCCESSOR THEREOF COLUMN 1 ITEM COLUMN 2 DESIGNATED PROVISION COLUMN 3 SHORT FORM WORDING COLUMN 4 ADMINISTRATIVE PENALTY AMOUNT 1 Part V 1(a) Parked in Permit Only Parking Area Without Permit $35.00 2 Part V 2(a) Parked More Than 0.15 Metres From Curb $35.00 3 Part V 2(a) Parked Facing Wrong Direction $35.00 4 Part V 2(b) Parked Facing Wrong Direction On One Way Street $35.00 5 Part V 2(b) Parked More Than 0.15 Metres From Curb On One Way Street $35.00 6 Part V 2(b) Failed To Park Parallel To Curb On One Way Street $35.00 7 Part V 2(d) Parked On The Abutting Roadway $35.00 8 Part V 2(e) Parked In More Than One Space $35.00 9 Part Via i Parked On/over A Curb $35.00 10 Part V 3 a ii Parked On/Over Sidewalk $35.00 11 Part V 3 a ii Parked On Boulevard $35.00 12 Part V 3(a)(iii) Parked In Intersection $35.00 13 Part V 3 a iii Parked on/over multi -use trail $35.00 14 Part V 3 a iii Parked Within A Roundabout $35.00 15 Part V 3(a)(iv) Parked Within 3 Metres Of A Fire Hydrant $50.00 Page 6 of 41 16 Part V 3(a)(v) Parked Within 15 Metres Of A $35.00 Railway Crossing 17 Part V 3(a)(vi) Parked Within 9 Metres Of An $35.00 Intersection 18 Part V 3(a)(viii) Parked Within 1.5 Metres Of A $35.00 Driveway 19 Part V 3(a)(viii) Parked Preventing (Ingress $35.00 to/E ress From) Driveway 20 Part V 3(a)(x) Parked Obstructing A $35.00 Crosswalk 21 Part V 3 a xi Parked Obstructing Traffic $35.00 22 Part V 3(a)(xiii) Parked Longer Than 3 $30.00 Consecutive Hours 23 Part V 3(a)(xiv) Parked On Highway Between $40.00 2:30 a.m. And 6:00 a.m. 24 Part V 3(a)(xv) Parked For Repairing Vehicle $35.00 25 Part V 3(a)(xv) Parked For Washing Vehicle $35.00 26 Part V 3(a)(xv) Parked For Maintaining Vehicle $35.00 27 Part V 3(a)(xvi) Parked For Soliciting $35.00 (Goods Services) 28 Part V 3(a)(xvi) Parked For Buying $35.00 (Goods Services) 29 Part V 3(a)(xvi) Parked For Selling $35.00 (Goods Services) 30 Part V 3(a)(xvi) Parked For Loading/Unloading Loading/Unloading $35.00 31 Part V 3(a)(xvi) Parked To Conduct Business $35.00 32 Part V 3(a)(xvii) Parked Within 15 Metres of Bus $35.00 Stop 33 Part V 3(a)(xvii) Parked Within 15 Metres of $50.00 Light Rail Transit Stop 34 Part V 3 a xxv Parked In A Bicycle Lane $35.00 35 Part V 3 a xviii Parked In A Reserved Lane $35.00 36 Part V 3(b) Parked On The Highway During $35.00 An Emergency 37 Part V 3(a)(xix) Parked Transit Bus On $35.00 Highway 38 Part V 3(a)(xx) Parked School Bus On a $35.00 Highway 39 Part V 3(a)(xxii) Parked A Trailer More Than 10 $35.00 Metres In Length 40 Part V 3(a)(xxi) Parked Heavy Truck On $55.00 Hi hwa 41 Part V 3 (a)(xxiii) Parked Vehicle Which is $35.00 Unlicensed 42 Part V 3(a)(xxiv) Parked Vehicle Which is $35.00 Leaking Fluids 43 Part V 3(c) Parked In A Construction $35.00 Parking Area Without Permit 44 Part V 4(a) Parked In Prohibited Area $35.00 Page 7 of 41 45 Part V 5 Parked Over Time Limit $30.00 46 Part V 6 Parked Backed In At Angle $35.00 47 Part V 6 Parked At Wrong Angle $35.00 48 Part V 7(i) Stopped In School Bus Loading $55.00 Zone 49 Part V 7 ii Stopped On Median $55.00 50 Part V 7 ii Stopped Adjacent To Median $55.00 51 Part V 7(iii) Stopped Within 30 Metres Of $55.00 Bridge 52 Part V 7(iii) Stopped Within 30 metres Of $55.00 Tunnel 53 Part V 7(iii) Stopped Within 30 Metres Of $55.00 Underpass 54 Part V 7 iv Stopped Within A Roundabout $55.00 55 Part V 8(a) Stopped In No Stopping Zone $55.00 56 Part V 9 Stopped In Loading Zone $55.00 57 Part V 10 Stopped In Taxicab Stand $55.00 58 Part V 11 a Stopped In A School Zone $100.00 59 Part V 12(a) Parked (On/Over) Sidewalk $60.00 During a Special Event 60 Part V 12(a) Parked On Boulevard During a $60.00 Special Event 61 Part V 12(b) Parked Within 1.5 Metres Of A $60.00 Driveway During a Special Event 62 Part V 12(c) Parked Within 3 Metres Of A $60.00 Fire Hydrant During a Special Event 63 Part V 12(d) Parked In Prohibited Area $60.00 During a Special Event 64 Part V 12(e) Stopped In No Stopping Zone $100.00 During a Special Event 65 Part V 12(f) Parked On The Highway During $60.00 An Emergency During a Special Event 66 Part V 12(g) Parked Over Time Limit During $50.00 a S ecial Event 67 Part V 12(h) Parked Longer Than 3 $50.00 Consecutive Hours During a Special Event 68 Part VI 1 b Parked At Expired Meter $30.00 69 Part VI (1) (a) (c) (e) Park in Parking Meter Zone — $35.00 fail to pay required fee 70 Part VI (1)(c) Park in Parking Meter Zone - $35.00 longer than maximum permitted time 71 Part VI 1(e) Parked Not Wholly In Parking $35.00 Space 72 Part VI 4(c) Parked Taxicab In A Metered $35.00 Space Page 8 of 41 73 Part V 3(d) Parked on a Highway During a $100.00 COLUMN 4 ADMINISTRATIVE PENALTY AMOUNT 1 Snow Event parked not wholly in parking space 74 Part VI 3 Parked in accessible space $400.00 $35.00 3 without permit parked vehicle longer than 6.1 metres 75 Part VI 3 Stopped in accessible space $400.00 $35.00 5 without permit parked buying (good s)(services) BY-LAW NUMBER 88-169, BEING A BY-LAW TO REGULATE THE PARKING OR LEAVING OF VEHICLES ON MUNICIPAL PARKING FACILITIES COLUMN 1 ITEM COLUMN 2 DESIGNATED PROVISION COLUMN 3 SHORT FORM WORDING COLUMN 4 ADMINISTRATIVE PENALTY AMOUNT 1 3(b) parked not wholly in parking space $35.00 2 3(c) parked in other than parking space $35.00 3 3(d) parked vehicle longer than 6.1 metres $35.00 4 3(d) parked vehicle wider than 2.3 metres $35.00 5 3(i) parked buying (good s)(services) $35.00 6 3(i) parked selling (goods)(services) $35.00 7 3(i) parked displaying (goods)(services) $35.00 8 3(i) parked displaying vehicle for sale $35.00 9 3(i) parked washing vehicle $35.00 10 3(i) parked maintaining vehicle $35.00 11 3(i) parked repairing vehicle $35.00 12 5(a) parked at expired meter $30.00 CITY OF KITCHENER PRIVATE PROPERTY BY-LAW NUMBER 2010-190 COLUMN 1 COLUMN 2 COLUMN 3 COLUMN 4 ITEM DESIGNATED SHORT FORM WORDING ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISION PENALTY AMOUNT 1 Section 3 parked on private property $35.00 2 Section 4 parked on private property- $35.00 munici al Page 9 of 41 3 Section 5 parked in an unauthorized $90.00 COLUMN 3 COLUMN 4 area DESIGNATED BY-LAW NO. 88-171, AS AMENDED, BEING A BY-LAW TO DESIGNATE PRIVATE ROADWAYS AS FIRE ROUTES, AND TO PROHIBIT PARKING THEREON COLUMN 1 COLUMN 2 COLUMN 3 COLUMN 4 ITEM DESIGNATED SHORT FORM WORDING ADMINISTRATIVE ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISION PROVISION PENALTY AMOUNT 1 Section 6 parked on fire route $100.00 BY-LAW NUMBER 2008-117, BEING A BY-LAW TO AUTHORIZE CERTAIN ON -STREET AND OFF-STREET PARKING OF VEHICLES FOR USE BY PERSONS WITH A DISABILITY, AND THE ISSUING OF PERMITS IN RESPECT THEREOF COLUMN 1 COLUMN 2 COLUMN 3 COLUMN 4 ITEM DESIGNATED SHORT FORM WORDING ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISION PENALTY AMOUNT 1 Section 6 (park)(stop) in space $400.00 desi nated for disabled person Page 10 of 41 Page 11 of 41