TORONTO, July 17, 2026 – Mississauga residents who rely on street parking will need to pay closer attention to parking rules this winter. City council has approved an expansion of winter parking restrictions, meaning that some streets where vehicles were previously allowed to park for up to 15 hours will also be included in the no-parking restriction once a citywide winter parking restriction is declared.
According to new measures announced by the City of Mississauga, starting this winter, once the city declares a Citywide Winter Parking Restriction, drivers will no longer be allowed to keep vehicles parked on streets even if those streets normally permit continuous parking for up to 15 hours.
The change may have a particular impact on residents without private driveways, households with multiple vehicles, shared rental homes and basement tenants. In the past, some residents used 15-hour parking areas as temporary parking options during snowfall. Under the new rules, that parking space will be further reduced during winter operations.
However, the new rule does not mean parking in 15-hour areas will be banned for the entire winter.
A citywide winter parking restriction is only activated when the city needs to carry out large-scale snow clearing. The city says snow clearing operations usually begin when snow accumulation reaches about five centimetres. Once the restriction is in effect, residents must move their vehicles off the road so snow clearing equipment can pass through.
Currently, vehicles parked on the road during a winter parking restriction can face fines of up to $150. The city will also suspend temporary or extended parking permits that have already been issued and stop issuing new permits during the restriction period. Vehicles that interfere with snow clearing may also be towed, with the owner responsible for towing and storage fees.
This means that even residents who have already obtained a temporary parking permit should not assume they can continue parking during snowfall. Once a citywide winter parking restriction is declared, related permits may be temporarily invalid.
The City of Mississauga says the expanded restriction is mainly intended to improve snow clearing efficiency. Vehicles parked along roads can block large snow clearing equipment, preventing some streets from being cleared in one pass and requiring crews to return later.
In addition to the parking rule change, Mississauga will also adjust winter road maintenance practices this year. These measures include expanding salt brine pre-treatment and starting snow clearing earlier on some major roads, with the goal of reducing road salt use. The city estimates the changes could reduce road salt use by up to about 4,100 tonnes each winter.
For ordinary residents, the most immediate change is still parking. Families that have long relied on 15-hour street parking should think ahead about where vehicles can be parked during snow events.
After the city activates a citywide winter parking restriction, residents can check the latest updates through city notices, official social media channels or by calling 311. Starting this winter, residents should especially note that seeing a sign allowing 15-hour parking does not necessarily mean parking will still be allowed during snowfall.（LJI by Yuanyuan）
