Kingston parking review ordered amid safety concerns over illegal parking

Kingston City Council has unanimously directed staff to review the City's on-street parking and enforcement policies in response to growing concerns about illegal parking, blocked sidewalks, and increasing parking pressures in residential neighbourhoods.

The review was approved after a motion introduced by Loyalist-Cataraqui District Councillor Paul Chaves and seconded by Pittsburgh District Councillor Ryan Boehme at the Tuesday, Jul. 7, 2026, meeting of Council. City staff will now compare Kingston's current approach with those used by other Ontario municipalities and report back to Council by the fourth quarter of 2027. Staff will also consider how curb space should be managed as part of the City's Integrated Mobility Plan and forthcoming Complete Streets work.

The review will consider not only enforcement, but also whether Kingston's parking rules and the management of curb space are keeping pace with the city's growth while balancing the needs of residents, pedestrians, cyclists, motorists, and people with disabilities.

The motion cites increasing neighbourhood intensification and changing occupancy patterns as contributing to parking pressures in some areas of the city. It also notes that vehicles obstructing sidewalks and pedestrian pathways can disproportionately affect people with mobility limitations or visual impairments, parents pushing strollers, children, and other vulnerable pedestrians by forcing them into the travelled portion of the roadway.

Chaves said his motion stemmed from concerns repeatedly raised by residents in his district.

"I have corresponded with staff on many occasions with regards to [the concerns], and I just figured it was time for a motion," Chaves said. "I do believe it basically speaks for itself."

Williamsville Councillor Vincent Cinanni supported the motion, saying he regularly sees vehicles parked on sidewalks and in bike lanes, creating hazards for both cyclists and pedestrians.

"I see cyclists having to swerve into traffic just to be able to go around where they're supposed to be able to just drive in the safety of their own lane," Cinanni said.

Boehme said parking is one of the issues residents contact him about most frequently. "I get a lot of calls about people just parking in the middle of cul-de-sacs," he said, noting residents become frustrated when bylaw officers arrive after the offending vehicle has already left.

The review is intended to determine whether the City needs additional mechanisms to address repeat offenders.

"All this really does,” Boeheme explained, “is seek to give us more tools in the toolbox to be able to prevent the worst offenders from just continuing to do the same things and allow the streets and parking to be used appropriately and properly."

Staff have been directed to examine whether Kingston's current parking rules and enforcement practices remain appropriate as neighbourhoods become more densely populated and parking demand increases. They will also compare Kingston's existing enforcement model — which includes education, warning notices, ticketing, and towing where authorized — with the policies, enforcement tools, and best practices used by other Ontario municipalities.

A report on their findings and recommendations will come back to Council by the end of 2027.

The full agenda for the latest meeting of Kingston City Council can be read on the City's website (under the heading 'Meeting Calendar,' click on the relevant date; or click 'View All' at the bottom of the list of dates to get to the City's calendar and view agendas for meetings that have already occurred). Meetings can be viewed virtually (during or after the meeting) in the video feature within the relevant Council agenda.