The worst feeling is coming back to your car after having lunch or doing some shopping and finding a parking ticket on the windshield.

But this scenario is all too common in Toronto. With over 2.8 million parking violations handed out each year, the city doesn’t mess around with parking infractions.

If you’re one of the unlucky ones that received a ticket, here’s everything you need to know about how to pay your parking ticket in Toronto, disputeit, and how it can affect your insurance and credit score.

Common Parking Violations In Toronto

Toronto has strict traffic rules, especially for parking. It’s common for city dwellers to receive a ticket, especially if they’ve lived in Toronto for a while. So, what are some frequent violations? Here’s how you could end up with a ticket.

• Parking more than 30 cm away from the sidewalk.
• Obstructing a driveway or laneway
• Parking too close to a fire hydrant – within 3 meters
• Parking within 9 meters of an intersection
• Parking on a sidewalk
• Stopping on a bridge
• Parking on a fire route
• Parking on a bike route
• Parking in the bus stop lane
• Parking within 9 meters of a crosswalk

Most street parking throughout Toronto requires a permit. You cannot park for more than three hours on most streets unless you have a permit for that location. No permits or incorrect ones tend to generate many parking violations throughout the city.

If you find yourself with a ticket, there are a few ways you can pay for it or challenge it. Here’s how.

How To Pay a Parking Violation In Toronto

1.  Pay Online

Usually, you have around 15 days to pay for your ticket. Sometimes, you’ll get a reminder in the mail along with a reduced price as an incentive for paying it early.

If you forget or don’t pay for the ticket, there are several consequences. They usually range from added fees to court appearances. Your delinquent payment may affect your credit score if you continue to ignore it.

However, if you know you’re in error and want to make a quick payment, doing it online is the easiest option. Go to MyToronto Pay where you can view your violation and pay it.

The site accepts most major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express), debit cards, or Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT).

You might already have an account under MyToronto Pay if you make payments online for property taxes or utility bills.

Under the Parking Violation Services, you can also dispute your ticket with a screening review that will determine the final outcome.

2.  Pay In-Person

You can pay in person at one of the city’s counter locations, Civic Centres or City Hall. The following payment forms are accepted.

• Cash
• Cheque
• Money order
• Visa
• MasterCard
• American Express
• Debit card

The payment centers are open Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. However, some counter services limit their payment hours, so it’s best to call your intended location ahead of time.

You can also dispute your violation in person. To do this, you need to call the APS Dispute Line at (416) 396-4APS (4277). You must have an appointment to dispute your ticket, walk-ins will be turned away.

You also won’t know the results immediately after meeting with a Screening Officer but will find out within a few days.

3.  Pay By Mail

Another easy way to pay your violation is through the mail. All you have to do is send a cheque payable to the Treasurer, City of Toronto to:

• Parking Tag Operation
• Box 4282, Postal Station “A”
• Toronto, ON M5W 5W5

Make sure to write your parking violation on your cheque, and do not send cash payments. Send it before the due date, so there’s enough time for it to arrive before it’s late.

What If I Don’t Pay My Ticket?

You have 15 days to pay your parking violation. After that, you’ll start incurring overdue parking penalties and late fees.

If you still haven’t paid after 60 days, you’ll have a Plate Denial Enforcement Fee added to your charge and will no longer be able to pay online.

Instead, you’ll have to visit a service center location to pay the original fine and any subsequent penalties.

Here’s a list of some of the additional charges and how much they cost.

If you continue to ignore the fine, you could receive a court appearance order, incur additional fines, and see your credit score drop.

What Happens To My Auto Insurance?

Luckily, a parking ticket does not add demerit points to your driving record. Because of this, your auto insurance isn’t affected by incurring parking violations.

Reasons To Appeal Your Parking Ticket

There are certain situations when your violation is incorrect – that’s why there’s a way to contest it. Here are some of the top reasons why you should file an appeal.

• You parked your vehicle correctly.
• Unclear parking or road signs
• Overcharged for your violation
• Your car broke down.
• You just ran out of time on your meter.

A common misconception is that you can’t get a ticket if you are in the car. That isn’t true. However, because ticketing is at the officer’s discretion, they usually don’t initiate violations if the person is in or near the vehicle.

If you plan to dispute your ticket, you have 15 days to do so. Otherwise, you can request an extension.

The Bottom Line

While parking tickets are a hassle, paying for them doesn’t have to be. You can either pay online, in person or through the mail. Even disputing a ticket isn’t hard – it’s easy to do online.

You only have roughly 15 days to pay before you start incurring extra charges – don’t wait because those fines could add up quickly.

While you’re in your car, maybe even driving around looking for a parking space, why not get paid for it? Check out how to earn money while you drive around.

FAQs About Paying Parking Tickets in Toronto

1. How do I pay parking tickets online in Toronto?
You can easily pay tickets online in Toronto by visiting the MyToronto Pay portal. Use your parking violation number to view your ticket and pay using Visa, Mastercard, American Express, debit, or EFT. This is one of the fastest ways to manage your Toronto ticket payment.

2. Can I pay a ticket in person in Toronto?
Yes. To pay a ticket in Toronto in person, visit one of the City’s payment counters at City Hall or Civic Centres. You can use cash, cheque, money order, debit, or major credit cards. It’s a good idea to call ahead to confirm hours and accepted payment methods.

3. How do I pay a Toronto parking ticket by mail?
To pay Toronto parking tickets by mail, send a cheque payable to:
Treasurer, City of Toronto
Parking Tag Operation
Box 4282, Postal Station “A”
Toronto, ON M5W 5W5
Include your parking violation number on the cheque and avoid sending cash. Mailing early ensures it arrives before the due date.

4. What happens if I don’t pay my parking ticket in Toronto?
If left unpaid beyond 15 days, you’ll incur late fees. After 60 days, a Plate Denial Enforcement Fee is added and you can no longer pay online — only in person. Eventually, unpaid parking tickets in Toronto may lead to further penalties and even affect your credit score.

5. Does an unpaid parking ticket affect my car insurance in Ontario?
No. Parking violations don’t affect your driver’s record or insurance rates since they don’t involve moving infractions or demerit points. However, accumulating unpaid parking tickets in Toronto may still impact your credit if the debt is forwarded to collections.

6. Can I dispute a parking ticket in Toronto?
Yes, you can. You have 15 days to request a dispute. This can be done via the MyToronto Pay platform or by calling the APS Dispute Line at (416) 396-4APS. Disputes must be booked — walk-ins are not allowed.

7. Why would I appeal a parking ticket?
Common reasons include:

• You parked legally and were ticketed by mistake
• Confusing or missing signage
• Meter timing issues
• Your vehicle broke down
• You were overcharged

Always provide documentation when possible to support your claim.

8. What’s the best way to pay a Toronto parking ticket quickly?
The fastest method is to pay your parking ticket online in Toronto through MyToronto Pay. It’s secure, available 24/7, and saves you a trip to a service counter. Many prefer this route when searching for how to pay city of Toronto parking ticket efficiently.

9. Can I use the MyToronto Pay portal for other payments?
Yes. MyToronto Pay allows residents to also pay property taxes and utility bills. If you’ve used the platform before, you can access it with the same account for Toronto parking ticket payment.

10. How long do I have to pay a Toronto parking ticket?
You have approximately 15 days to pay a ticket in Toronto before late penalties apply. Don’t delay, as costs increase quickly with additional fees after the grace period.