Did you get caught out, and think parking in Halifax was now free? That flapping piece of paper under your windshield wiper told you otherwise!
Getting a Halifax parking ticket is no fun, but you do have options. You also need to make sure it doesn't go from an expensive annoyance to something more serious.
What should you do if you've got a Halifax parking ticket? Read our guide a find out.
Paying Parking Ticket Halifax - How to Deal with it?
There are no surprises here. If you get a Halifax parking ticket, your options are to pay up or contest it.
Procrastination could lead to higher costs. Whether you are going to pay up or contest it, it's best to start the process as early as possible.
Halifax Parking Ticket Cost
The cost of a Halifax parking ticket varies depending on the reason for issuing the ticket. Costs increased in 2020, making it even more costly to get on the wrong side of the law!
However, with certain tickets, you can reduce the cost by paying early.
Parking fines for overstaying in a parking bay now stand at $35. If you pay within 7 days, that's reduced to $30. This is a paid parking violation.
You can find the fee for other traffic violations on the face of the ticket.
Halifax Parking Violations
Currently, overstaying or underpaying for parking results in a paid parking violation. This is a violation but is not considered a serious offence. That's why it attracts the lowest fines, and you can reduce the level of the fine through prompt payment.
Other violations are more serious and result in higher penalties. For example:
- Parking in a fire lane
- Parking on a crosswalk
- Parking in an accessible parking space
Currently, the fine for these violations is $100. This may rise, as the municipality has applied to the province for permission to increase them. This could go up to $150.
How to Dispute a Ticket
First things first. If you get a Halifax parking ticket and don't agree with it, don't pay it. Paying it is an admission of guilt, and you'll never be able to get a refund.
The next thing you should do is act fast! There are serious consequences if you don't contest it or pay. You can appeal within 14 days of receiving the ticket.
Technically, you are requesting an administrative review of the violation. Provide as much evidence as possible.
You can dispute your ticket online, in person, or by mail. You will receive a response within 14 working days.
Use the online portal to dispute your parking ticket. Alternatively, you can complete a Parking Ticket Enforcement Request for Review form.
You can mail this to Parking Enforcement PO Box 1749 Halifax, NS B3J 3A5. Alternatively, you can complete it and drop it off at a Municipal Customer Service Centre.
Lost Parking Ticket Halifax
If you lose your Halifax parking ticket, act right away. Call the municipality on 311 and give them your license plate number. They'll be able to find your ticket number and you can use that to pay online or in person.
If they cannot find it, call the Provincial Courthouse, and request the ticket number.
Halifax Parking Enforcement
Halifax parking regulations are enforced by police officers as they patrol the city. They will take photographic evidence and leave parking tickets at their discretion.
Halifax parking regulations are complicated slightly by seasonal parking restrictions.
There is an overnight parking ban in effect from December 15 to Mar 31 each year, between 1 am and 6 am. This is to allow for snow removal. If you park in the wrong place at the wrong time, you could be towed.
If you're a Halifax resident or regular visitor, it's important to be aware of these winter regulations.
Pay your Halifax Parking Tickets - Your Options
You have 60 days to pay for your Halifax parking ticket from the day you receive it. That's twice as long as some other municipalities and four times more than Ottawa! But paying within 7 days is still the best course, as you can pay at a reduced rate.
Paying Before the Due Date
There are two ways to pay your ticket ahead of the due date - online, or in person.
To pay online, you will need a Mastercard or Visa. You will have to enter the ticket number and your plate number or VIN.
To pay in person, head down to any Municipal Customer Service Centre between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm. There you have the added option of paying in cash. Call 311 to find out the location of your local service centre.
Paying on or After the Due Date
If you don't pay your Halifax parking ticket before the due date, you can no longer pay it online or in-person at a service centre.
You will have to visit the Provincial Courthouse to pay the ticket. There may be a penalty to pay. Check your ticket for more details.
Consequences of Non-Payment
There are serious consequences if you do not pay your ticket or contest it by the due date. You will receive an automatic conviction, and will still have to pay the fine.
You will be summoned to a court hearing. What happens if you do not pay the penalty before the court hearing, or do not attend? The Justice will convict you in your absence.
There will be a fine to pay. On top of that, you will probably not be able to renew your driving license or vehicle permit until the fine has been paid.
The takeaway? Make sure you either pay or contest your parking ticket in good time!
Halifax Parking Ticket FAQs
Here are a few of the top questions people want to know about parking in Halifax:
The municipality is trying to encourage more of us to head downtown. To help with that there is temporary free parking on Thursday and Fridays, between 4-6 pm.
If you get a ticket? For first-time offenders, you'll get a polite notice from the police. They'll tell you how to avoid getting an actual ticket in the future.
If the municipality towed your car, you can look it up online. Head to the Halifax online portal and search for your vehicle on the 'Lookup Tow' section.
Head over to the Parking Ticket Enforcement Request for Review form. Page 2 details the kind of evidence you need to provide.
Addressing your Halifax Parking Tickets
Don't let a Halifax parking ticket spoil your day!
Save yourself a whole load of stress by avoiding getting a ticket in the first place. Park super carefully, and read signage thoroughly. Remember that during the winter, there can be temporary restrictions in place.
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