Parking Permits

Parking permits are designed to make parking easier for residents, visitors, and businesses. Whether you need a resident permit, visitor permit, or parking for business deliveries, we have different options to suit your needs. City staff will review and approve all permit applications based on our policies and guidelines before issuing them. Read on for more details about each type of permit and how to apply. 

 

Types of parking permits and how to apply

Learn more about how to apply to the Ministry of Transportation on our Accessible Parking Permits page.

Commercial loading permits let you park at on-street meters while loading or unloading goods. You can use this permit for up to 30 minutes at a time.

How to apply

You can apply for a commercial loading permit in a few easy ways:

Cost: For the most current pricing, visit the Schedule of Fees.

Where and when you can use the permit

  • Use the permit only at on-street parking meters for up to 30 minutes at a time
  • Permits are not valid in municipal parking lots, areas marked as "no parking" or "no stopping," or in fire lanes
  • You cannot park on the street between 2:00 am and 6:00 am daily, even with a permit
  • Permits are valid for the calendar year from January 1 to December 31

Rules for businesses

  • Each business can buy one permit per company vehicle
  • Permits must only be used for official company business. Personal use may result in fines or cancellation.
  • Always hang the permit on the rearview mirror, so it's clearly visible. Failure to do so will result in the issuance of a parking infraction and the towing of the vehicle at the owner's expense.
  • Permits are non-transferable to any other vehicle other than those for which the permit was issued
  • Any existing parking violations must be paid before you are issued a permit
  • Permit holders must comply with City Parking and Traffic By-laws and the Provincial Highway Traffic Act
  • The permit does not guarantee a parking spot
  • The City of Niagara Falls reserves the right to revoke any or all parking privileges at any time with written notice
  • The City of Niagara Falls is not responsible for any loss or damage to your vehicle or its contents

Get a monthly parking permit for easy and convenient parking in select municipal lots. Learn more on our Municipal Parking Lots page.

Overnight parking permits help homeowners who can’t park all their vehicles off the street at night. On-street parking is not allowed year-round between 2:00 am and 6:00 am, unless you have a valid overnight parking permit. We review each application individually, and permits are only approved when there’s a genuine need, not for convenience.

Even with a permit, overnight parking is prohibited on city streets during snowfall. Permit holders must move their vehicles off the road for at least 72 hours to allow time for snowplowing.

How to apply

You can apply for an overnight parking permit in a few easy ways:

Permit details

  • Cost: For current pricing, check the Schedule of Fees.
  • Number of vehicles allowed: Maximum four plates per permit. You must provide the vehicle license plate number when applying.
  • Expiry: Once approved, permits are valid for one year.

Who can apply and what you will need

To qualify, you must meet these requirements:

  1. Show the need: You must show that your property doesn't have enough off-street parking for all vehicles registered there. Garages are considered available parking spaces.
  2. Proof: You must show proof of residency and a copy of each vehicle's ownership at registration. If your documents don’t show the correct address, you can show a lease, utility bill, or purchase and sale agreement.
  3. Use the right vehicle: Permits are for passenger vehicles like cars, station wagons, vans, and pickups. You can't get permits for large trucks, buses, or vehicles over 21 feet (6.4 meters) long. Commercial vehicles are not eligible unless marked as "Primarily Personal/Recreational Use" by the Ministry of Transportation.

Check our Overnight Parking page for details about the by-law and how to report violators.

Special overnight parking requests

You can request overnight street parking in certain circumstances. While parking on city streets is not allowed year-round from 2:00 am to 6:00 am, residents may request up to seven days of street parking per calendar year, per license plate. This is not the same as an overnight parking permit.

To submit your request, visit our Overnight Parking page.

Residential and visitor parking permits are issued to homeowners only, who live on streets marked “No Parking, Except by Permit.” 

Visitors refer to guests or health care service providers visiting a homeowner who lives on streets marked “No Parking, Except by Permit.” 

How to apply

You can apply for a residential and visitor parking permit in a few easy ways:

Permit details

  • Cost: Free
  • Number of vehicles allowed: Maximum four plates per permit. You must provide the vehicle license plate number when applying.
  • When you can park: Residential permits allow parking for up to 12 hours during the day, except from 2:00 am to 6:00 am
  • When visitors can park: Visitors can park up to four hours during the day, and health care service providers can park for up to three hours during the day, except from 2:00 am to 6:00 am.
  • Where you can park: The area number displayed on your permit must match the area number displayed on the "No Parking, Except by Permit" sign
  • Where you cannot park: The permit doesn’t allow parking:
    • In other permit areas that do not match the area number on your permit
    • In municipal parking lots
    • At on-street metered spaces

Who can apply and what you will need

To qualify, you must meet these requirements:

  1. Show the need: You must show that your property doesn't have enough off-street parking for all vehicles registered there. Garages are considered available parking spaces.
  2. Proof: You must show proof of residency and a copy of each vehicle's ownership at registration. If your documents don’t show the correct address, you can show a lease, utility bill, or purchase and sale agreement. If you need the permit because of special services, like health care, you must include a letter from your care provider on official letterhead.
  3. Use the right vehicle: Permits are for passenger vehicles like cars, station wagons, vans, and pickups. You can't get permits for large trucks, buses, or vehicles over 21 feet long (6.4 meters). Commercial vehicles are not eligible unless marked as "Primarily Personal/Recreational Use" by the Ministry of Transportation.

The Resident Convenience Parking Pass makes parking easier for you. If you are a Niagara Falls resident and often visit places with paid street parking, this pass is perfect for you!

Learn more and apply: Resident Convenience Parking Pass

How to renew your existing permit

If you already have a permit, you can submit your renewal through the At Your Service portal.

  • Complete the online Parking Permit Renewal form
  • If you are making changes to your vehicles/plates, proof of ownership must be uploaded for all permit renewals except municipal parking lot permits, which do not require ownership documents.
  • Fees are payable upon pickup

Renew your permit

Contact Us

City of Niagara Falls
4310 Queen Street
P.O. Box 1023
Niagara Falls, ON L2E 6X5
Canada
905-356-7521
service@niagarafalls.ca