Mississauga is taking a tougher approach to a parking problem that has become increasingly common in residential neighbourhoods, with drivers now facing fines for parking their vehicles on lawns and other landscaped areas.

City council has approved new bylaws that ban vehicles from parking, stopping or standing on residential lawns, gardens and other landscaped soft areas that are not intended for vehicles.

The change comes after the city received more than 1,500 complaints about lawn parking between January 2023 and August 2026.

And unlike the previous system, dealing with those complaints should now be faster.

Under the new rules, Parking Enforcement Officers can investigate lawn parking complaints and issue penalty notices directly through Mississauga’s Administrative Penalty System (APS). The penalties are issued to the registered owner of the vehicle, meaning the city does not have to rely on the traditional court process to deal with violations.

The new bylaw and administrative penalties took effect immediately on Sept. 29, although the city says it will initially focus on education and outreach before moving to full enforcement.

For a standard motor vehicle, the penalty is $150. Heavy and recreational vehicles face a $375 fine.

The city says the crackdown is about more than keeping neighbourhoods looking tidy.

It says vehicles parked on lawns and other landscaped areas can compact soil, reduce green space and increase stormwater runoff. Driving over lawns can also damage curbs, sidewalks, boulevards and other municipal infrastructure.

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The city also says vehicles parked on landscaped areas can block pedestrian access.

The issue has become a familiar sight in some parts of the GTA, particularly in neighbourhoods where homeowners or visitors have more vehicles than can fit in existing driveways.

Brampton has dealt with similar concerns, with lawn and boulevard parking becoming an ongoing issue in some residential areas as that city grapples with multiple people living in homes designed for one family. Mississauga’s new rules could give the city a more consistent way to address the problem before it becomes even more widespread.

Residents who spot a vehicle parked illegally on a lawn can report the violation by calling 311.

Vehicle owners who receive a penalty notice and believe it was issued incorrectly can challenge it through the City’s APS dispute-resolution process.

Raj Sheth, Mississauga’s commissioner of Community Services, said the new rules will help the City respond to concerns while protecting neighbourhoods.

“Parking on lawns and landscaped areas can damage green space, private property and public infrastructure,” Sheth said. “The new bylaw gives the City a more efficient and consistent approach to address resident concerns while helping protect the safety, character and appearance of Mississauga neighbourhoods.”

 


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