Drivers will have more time to pay parking fines under new rules in Mississauga

Drivers who get parking tickets in Mississauga are going to have more time to pay up — or challenge the fine — under new city rules to take effect later this year.

The changes, approved last week by Mississauga city council, are part of an effort to modernize parking enforcement, improve compliance with parking regulations and enhance service delivery efficiency, the City of Mississauga said in a news release on Friday.

The revamped system also includes the mailing out of parking tickets to offenders in addition to the extended timelines to either pay a parking ticket or request a review.

“These changes are meant to make parking enforcement safer, more efficient and fairer for vehicle owners while giving people more time to receive, review and respond to a penalty notice,” city officials said, adding existing parking rules and fine amounts are not changing as part of the update.

The new rules will take effect in October.

To improve safety for parking enforcement officers and enhance how the city delivers services, Mississauga says it will use Licence Plate Recognition technology to automatically photograph licence plate information from illegally parked vehicles. Tickets can then be mailed to offenders/registered vehicle owners.

“This new process supports parking enforcement officers in places where issuing a physical penalty notice on a vehicle may not be effective, such as school zones and time-limited parking zones,” the city said. “This technology will be deployed in school zones this year and will expand to other areas starting next year.”

Those who receive tickets by mail will have 30 days, double the current 15-day period, to pay the fine or request a review of the matter.

City officials said they’re focused on improving services and “responding to what residents tell us matters.”

The new parking enforcement rules, added Graham Walsh, city solicitor and commissioner of legislative services, “will help keep our streets safe and fair while giving drivers more time to review and respond to a penalty notice before extra fees are added.”

(Cover photo: City of Mississauga)