What You Need to Know

The Municipality of Leamington has adopted a new Traffic and Parking By-law to update and clarify rules for parking, traffic, cycling, and pedestrian safety throughout the community.

Along with the updated by-law, the Municipality is introducing an Administrative Penalty System (APS), which replaces the traditional court process with a simpler, faster way to pay or dispute parking tickets and other by-law penalties.

Parking fines have also been updated to reflect inflation and align more closely with other municipalities, as many had not been reviewed in decades.

Full details, schedules, and definitions are available in the by-law located in the Documents section.

Key Changes at a Glance

• Administrative Penalty System (APS) replaces the traditional court-based ticket process.
• Parking fines have been updated.
• New signage will identify Uptown re-parking restrictions.
• A 20 km/h speed limit has been established on municipal property.
• Accessibility, cycling, and pedestrian provisions have been clarified.

Why Was the By-law Updated?

Leamington’s previous Traffic and Parking By-law dated back to 1995 and had been amended numerous times. The new by-law consolidates existing regulations into a single, easier-to-understand, easier-to-administer, and easier-to-enforce document while reflecting current conditions in the municipality.

While some updates have been introduced, many provisions simply clarify and reorganize existing rules.

What’s Changing in the New Traffic and Parking By-law?

The updated by-law clarifies how existing rules apply and introduces several updates to improve safety, accessibility, and enforcement.

Parking Rules

The by-law provides clearer direction for:

• Time-limited parking areas
• Parking restrictions based on posted signage
• Municipal parking lot use and time limits
• Loading zones, bus stops, taxi stands, and fire routes

These updates help ensure parking rules are applied consistently across the municipality.

Re-Parking in Uptown Leamington

Re-parking means moving your vehicle and parking it again within Uptown Leamington.

Although re-parking has been prohibited in Uptown for several years, enforcement has primarily focused on education. To improve awareness, new signage will be installed identifying where re-parking is not permitted.

In designated Uptown areas:

• Vehicles may be parked for up to two (2) hours.
• Once the two-hour parking period has ended, the vehicle cannot be parked again in the Uptown area for five (5) hours from the initial parking time, even if moved to a different parking space. This restriction applies to on-street parking only and does not apply to municipal parking lots.
• Moving to another space within Uptown still counts as re-parking.

These rules help ensure parking turnover and availability for businesses, residents, and visitors.

E-bikes and Electric Personal Assistive Mobility Devices

The updated by-law also includes provisions related to power-assisted bicycles (e-bikes) and electric personal assistive mobility devices, including certain scooters. Enforcement of provisions relating to e-bikes is undertaken by the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).

Pedestrians and Accessibility

The by-law reinforces rules intended to improve accessibility and safety, including:

• The use of sidewalks where they are provided
• Protection of accessible parking spaces
• Clearer provisions supporting mobility devices used by persons with disabilities

Cycling Rules

The by-law clarifies rules for cycling, including where bicycles may be ridden and how they should be parked, helping ensure sidewalks, crosswalks, and pedestrian routes remain safe and accessible.

Municipal Property Speed Limit

The by-law establishes a 20 km/h speed limit on municipal property, such as municipal parking lots, parks, facilities, and trails (excluding roads).

Administrative Penalty System (APS)

How APS Works

If a violation occurs:

• A Penalty Notice is issued (replacing a traditional ticket).
• You have 15 days to either:
  • Pay the penalty, or
  • Request a screening review.
• A Screening Officer reviews the penalty and may confirm, reduce, cancel, or extend the time to pay.
• If you disagree with the decision, you may request a hearing review with an independent Hearing Officer.

APS is designed to:

• Resolve disputes more quickly
• Reduce the need for court appearances
• Provide a fair and transparent review process

Learn more about APS

Learn More

For full regulations and detailed schedules, we encourage you to review the complete Traffic and Parking By-law in the Documents section.

Have questions or need clarification? Please feel free to ask them in the Question section below.