Tow trucks coming back to enforce Edmonton parking bans

Tow trucks will hit Edmonton's streets to boost the city's parking ban enforcement, while fines are being cut back. 

Edmonton city council unanimously approved bylaw changes Wednesday to tackle the issue of cars being left on the street during seasonal parking bans for street sweeping and snow clearing.

Administration presented a variety of options for approaching parking ban enforcement, but council voted in favour of tow trucks and reducing parking fines to $150 — or possibly lower, if the fee is paid within seven days.

"We're facing budget constraints right now, and towing to the impound lot with [the Edmonton Police Service] wasn't an option given their own capacity right now," Ward Anirniq Coun. Erin Rutherford told CBC News. 

She said taking into account budgetary concerns, and balancing a punitive approach with public awareness, were ultimately what helped council land on the final course of action. 

"This allows us to put small amounts of funding toward what we know is a bigger problem, see how that affects the ability for workers to do their work, and then, at the four-year budget, potentially add funding if this program is working," Rutherford said.

The city will dedicate $100,000 for the upcoming winter for towing on roads where city operators are unable to safely or effectively clear the streets.

Fees reduced to improve accessibility

A recent city report said enforcement officers handed out about 1,000 parking ban violation tickets in the spring of 2024, after not enforcing during the spring sweep for a decade.

Contracted officers issued nearly 6,000 tickets this past spring, the report said.

In 2022, the city seasonal parking ban fines from $100 to $250, so the fee served as a stronger deterrent for non-compliance and aligned with other bylaw infractions.

But council is reducing the fines after hearing concerns about accessibility.

Residents in Rutherford's district understand the need for parking tickets, she said, "but to be hit with a $250 fine right off the hop seemed really drastic."

Rutherford said she heard from seniors in her ward who were unaware of when parking bans were in effect and were slapped with $500 in fines, because both of their household's cars were ticketed.

"That's really hard for a senior on fixed income," she said. "So to me, not only do we have to continue to educate folks, [but] get people to understand when the parking ban is in effect and when it affects their area."