Contacts
In 2022, the City of Pickering launched paid permit parking at all City waterfront parking lots, prohibited parking on one side of waterfront area streets, and introduced on-street permit parking for the opposite side of waterfront area streets. Waterfront permit parking will be in effect from May 1st to October 1st annually. Permit / Paid parking is in effect from 9:00 am until 10:00 pm every day including weekends and statutory holidays.
A review of the program was conducted over the winter including resident surveys and data analysis. On March 27, 2023, Council of the City of Pickering adopted a number of recommendations for changes in 2023. View the DRAFT Council Minutes.
These recommendations include:
- Pickering residents can obtain a no charge seasonal permit that will be valid for two seasons (previously valid for one season at a time)
- Reduction in the parking hourly rate to $2.50 per hour (previously $5 per hour) from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm on Monday to Friday in all Waterfront parking areas
- First two hours of parking will be free Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm within the waterfront permit parking area except for Beachpoint Promenade, Front Street and the municipally operated waterfront parking lots (note that a parking session must still be initiated on the app, but there will be no charge for the first 2 hours)
- Senior (65 years and older) Non-residents may obtain a free seasonal parking permit (process being implemented for registry)
- For residents of waterfront area streets, a new digital guest pass system will be implemented (details will be available soon)
- Installation of free Wi-Fi hubs at the three municipal parking lots to improve access for those that do not have a cellular data plan.
**New permits for residents. are now available. Digital permits are available through the HotSpot Parking website or app.
Residents can register for a no-charge permit, which will allow use of waterfront parking lots and on-street permit parking on waterfront area streets. Permits will be processed using the HotSpot parking website or app. View detailed instructions.
Waterfront Locations |
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Paid permit parking has been implemented at all City waterfront parking lots, including Liverpool Road, Progress Park (Front Road), Beachpoint Promenade, and the Annland Street parking lot. Signage is posted indicating all areas where a permit or payment are required.
All waterfront area streets are prohibited parking on one side, and permit parking on the opposite side.
Streets regulated by permit parking include:
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Rates |
The hourly parking rate is $2.50 per hour, Monday to Friday, between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm. Parking can be obtained in increments as small as 15 minutes. On many of the residential streets there will be no charge for the first 2 hours each day (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm), this does not include the municipal lots. However, a parking session must still be initiated in order to obtain the 2 hours free parking.
The rate increases to $5.00 per hour after 5:00 pm and all day on weekends, with a maximum parking time of six hours per session. When you initiate a parking session, the app will provide the total charge prior to finalizing the transaction.
Seasonal Parking Permits are available at a cost of $165.00 plus HST, expiring October 1st. Monthly passes are also available at a cost of $60.00 plus HST.
Visitors to the area (or residents who have not registered for their free permit), can pay for parking by downloading the HotSpot Parking app, or by scanning the QR code on the fast tap parking signs to access the website.
Regular users of the waterfront parking areas may find it more useful to utilize the HotSpot Parking app, as it allows you to end your parking session as soon as you return to the car and receive a refund of any unused time. It also provides reminders of when the parking session is ending, and allows you to extend your parking session from your phone. View detailed instruction on using the app. |
Resident without a vehicle |
City of Pickering residents who do not own a vehicle or operate a vehicle are able to request one free caretaker/guest permit.
A resident can email permitparking@pickering.ca to request this type of permit. Proof of Pickering residency along with confirmation that you do not own a vehicle will be required. The request will be reviewed and notification of approval will be sent once the permit is processed.
A permit will be issued to the licence plate number of a vehicle not registered in Pickering and will allow it to park in waterfront areas at no-charge. New for 2023Residents who do not drive or own a vehicle may request a physical permit. The resident must attend City Hall in person to obtain this permit. |
Guest Parking |
A new digital guest parking system is being created for implementation in June. Until that is ready, residents who are having events that guest parking cannot be accommodated within their own driveway can contact the City during regular business hours to arrange for parking consideration. Please email your request to bylaw@pickering.ca before the planned event.
Additionally, waterfront area homes may accommodate guest parking by registering their own vehicles for free residential parking permits and temporarily parking on the street to allow for guest vehicles to park in their driveway.
Waterfront visitors who live in Pickering can register for their own no-charge permit to be able to park for free on waterfront area streets. Overnight guests will still be required to register for parking consideration by visiting pickering.ca/parking. |
Accessible Permits and Veteran Plates |
Vehicles bearing accessible parking permits or veterans’ plates are able to park in City waterfront lots or on waterfront area streets at no charge and without having to register for a permit or create a parking session on HotSpot for the same six hour maximum applicable to other permit holders. These vehicles are exempt from the paid / permit parking and will not be ticketed unless parked in contravention of a parking regulation other than the Waterfront Paid Parking. |
Enforcement |
The waterfront area will have dedicated enforcement staff working from May until October, seven days a week from 9 am – 10 pm, including Statutory Holidays. Staff will patrol City waterfront parking lots and waterfront area streets for compliance with permit parking requirements and prohibited parking areas.
Vehicles found parked without a permit or not having a valid parking session are subject to a parking ticket with a set fine of $75.
Enforcement Officers will also be stationed at the waterfront parks to patrol for compliance with the City’s Parks By-law, Responsible Pet Ownership By-law, Noise By-law, etc.
If there are parking issues on a waterfront area street, please contact the City at 905.683.7575 to have an officer dispatched to the area. This number can be used during regular business hours, as well as evenings and weekends. |
Frequently Asked Questions |
1. What is the app called and where can I download it? The app is called HotSpot Parking Transit Taxis and it can be downloaded from the Apple or Google Play App Stores. 2. How will I know if my permit has been approved? You will receive a confirmation email from HotSpot once you submit your application, and a follow-up email once your permit is approved (this can take up to three business days). Please note that no physical permit is issued. Once you receive your email indicating your digital permit is approved, your vehicle is considered registered and you are able to park for free. 3. What is the process for registering a leased or company vehicle? Please send an email to permitparking@pickering.ca requesting a free resident waterfront parking permit and provide the following information:
A staff member will review and may process a manual digital permit on the applicant’s behalf or get in touch for further information if required. 4. What is the process for registering a vehicle that I may not own or am in the process of changing ownership? A permit cannot be issued to a vehicle that is not registered to the applicant’s Pickering address. The Ministry of Transportation requires vehicle registration be updated within six days of moving or changing ownership. There are also provisions to allow for gifting a family member’s car to be exempt from sales tax. Information is available at Ontario.ca. Staff at the Clerk’s Counter in City Hall frequently assist residents completing this transfer by commissioning the documents. Once the ownership is changed to reflect the resident’s name and address, they can register the vehicle for a permit. 5. Will waterfront resident parking permits expire? Yes, they are valid for 2 seasons. (Permits issued in 2023 will be valid through October 2024) 6. Are permits limited to one per resident? What if I own multiple vehicles? Residents may register multiple vehicles provided the vehicle ownership is registered to their address. 7. How does the digital waterfront parking permit work? The parking permit program is based on licence plate recognition software. Scans are made of vehicles parked in permit parking areas, with the software indicating whether there is a permit registered, parking has been paid, or there is no authorization to park there. Once you have received confirmation that your permit is active, you will be able to park for free at any of the designated waterfront parking areas until the permit expires. 8. Do residents and non-residents use the same registration process? Both registration processes will be completed using HotSpot Parking. Residents will register for permits at no charge, while non-residents can create accounts to purchase seasonal or monthly permits, or pay for parking on an hourly basis. Paid hourly parking can also be done by scanning the QR code on the HotSpot Fast Tap parking signs. 9. What onsite payment options are available at the waterfront permit parking locations? Visitors to the waterfront can pay for onsite parking by using their smart phones or devices to download the HotSpot Parking app, or scan the QR code on the fast tap parking signs. At this time, in-person payment kiosks are not available due to the associated cost of installation and maintenance, and expected limited use by the general public. See instructions on how to use the app. |
Questions, comments, feedback?
To contact City staff, please email customercare@pickering.ca or bylaw@pickering.ca or call 905.683.7575