Announcement

New Towing By-law Comes into Effect on February 28, 2025

To help address issues of predatory and fraudulent towing of vehicles without the vehicle owner’s consent in the Town of Oakville, Council approved a new by-law that will come into effect on February 28, 2025. 

By-law 2024-187 prohibits the towing of vehicles without the vehicle owner’s consent from both public and private land in Oakville, including parking lots, unless the towing follows the rules of the new by-law or the Province of Ontario’s Trespass to Property Act, R.S.O. 1990, c T.21. The new by-law also eliminates any common law right to tow or impound a vehicle without the owner’s consent.

Private parking lot owners may register with the Town of Oakville to request the town’s mobile compliance officers (MCOs) enforce parking at their lot, or they may apply to have municipal law enforcement officers (MLEOs), delegated under the Municipal Powers and Duties By-law 2023-021, to enforce parking.

Under By-law 2024-187:

  • The towing or impounding of a vehicle without the owner’s consent may only be authorized by an MLEO, MCO, the Director of Municipal Enforcement Services (MES) or designate, or a police officer.
  • An MLEO must get approval from the MES Director or designate before authorizing the towing or impounding of a vehicle without the owner’s consent. Additionally, an MLEO, MCO or the MES Director/designate must advise the Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) before authorizing a tow and prior to the tow occurring.
  • Signage must be installed where towing without the vehicle owner’s consent may occur. Existing signs related to authorized parking and towing must comply with the new by-law by December 31, 2027. Signage is not required in municipal rights-of-way or on a driveway to a private dwelling.
  • The maximum rates for towing must match those submitted to the Ministry of Transportation, as required by the Towing and Storage Safety and Enforcement Act, 2021 (TSSEA).
  • There is a half-hour waiting period between issuing a penalty notice and towing of a vehicle to discourage predatory and/or fraudulent towing. Some exceptions include parking in fire routes and construction zones, interference with snow-clearing operations and emergency situations, among others.

For more information, click here.