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Starting Tuesday, drivers who receive a parking ticket in Ottawa will have more time to pay it off, to request a review and to avoid late fees, following a series of changes being introduced by the city.
Coun. Riley Brockington, chair of the city’s emergency preparedness and protective services committee, told CBC News the move comes “in anticipation of a surge of commuters in September.”
The most noticeable change is that the tickets will now be printed on yellow paper instead of white. Brockington says that will make them easier to spot on a vehicle’s windshield.
The city is also extending payment deadlines. Drivers will now have 15 days, up from seven, to pay the reduced early payment amount. If the ticket is not paid within that time, a reminder notice will be sent and the regular fine will apply, along with a $16 “registered owner lookup fee.”
The deadline to pay the normal fine before a late fee is added will increase to 45 days from 30. After that, the city will add the $25 late fee and issue a second reminder notice.
Unpaid tickets will now be considered in default after 76 days, up from 61. After that, drivers may be blocked from renewing their licence plate until they settle the outstanding fines and fees.
Brockington says the changes reflect public concerns about the current methods.
“People have legitimate concerns about tickets that were left on the windshield that maybe blew off or were taken,” he said, adding that some were also unaware of the payment deadlines.
The city is also giving motorists more time to challenge a ticket. Starting Tuesday, they’ll have up to 15 days to request a review by a screening officer, while those claiming special circumstances will now have up to 45 days.
However, the timeline for requesting a hearing to appeal a screening officer’s findings remains unchanged, also at 15 days.
As part of the update, the city is also offering what it says is “clearer guidance on undue hardship considerations.”
“Individuals who are experiencing legitimate financial hardship will continue to have access to relief through the dispute process,” the city said in a statement to CBC. “The updated guidance provides greater clarity about what undue hardship means and what information is needed to support a claim.
The changes apply only to parking tickets issued on or after July 28. Tickets issued before that will continue to follow the previous rules and timelines.