Parking Enforcement Towing in Oakville: What Property Owners Should Know About By-Law 2024-187
If you own or manage a commercial property, residential building, or private parking lot in Oakville, the rules for towing unauthorized vehicles from your property changed significantly when By-law 2024-187 came into effect on February 28, 2025. The new by-law regulates all parking enforcement towing on private and municipal property within the Town of Oakville, replacing the previous approach where property owners could rely on common law rights to remove vehicles. Now, there are specific signage requirements, a mandatory 30-minute waiting period, required involvement of town enforcement officers, and police notification before any vehicle can be towed. Getting it wrong means you cannot legally remove unauthorized vehicles from your property. Getting it right means you have a clear, enforceable system that protects your tenants, customers, and parking spaces. This guide covers everything Oakville property owners need to know: what the by-law requires, how to set up legal parking enforcement on your property, how private property towing works under the new rules, the role of parking garage towing, what the new parking boot prohibition means, and answers to the questions property managers ask most. Need an unauthorized vehicle removed now? Call (289) 430-5168 for 24/7 towing.
Quick Answer
Can I still tow cars from my private property in Oakville? Yes, but only in compliance with By-law 2024-187. You must have compliant signage posted at all entrances, a Municipal Law Enforcement Officer (MLEO) or Mobile Compliance Officer (MCO) must issue a parking ticket first, there is a mandatory 30-minute waiting period before the tow can proceed (with some exceptions), Halton Regional Police must be notified, and only a TSSEA-certified tow operator can remove the vehicle. Property owners can no longer tow vehicles using common law rights alone.
Need a tow right now? (289) 430-5168 – 24/7 dispatch
What Is Oakville By-Law 2024-187 and Why Does It Matter?
On December 16, 2024, Oakville Town Council passed By-law 2024-187, officially titled the “Towing Without the Vehicle Owner’s Consent By-law.” It came into effect on February 28, 2025, and it fundamentally changed how private property towing works in Oakville.
Before this by-law, property owners in Oakville could rely on common law rights under the Trespass to Property Act to remove unauthorized vehicles from their land. In practice, this meant a property owner could call any tow truck and have a vehicle removed with relatively few restrictions. This led to complaints about predatory towing, where tow operators would aggressively patrol lots and tow vehicles quickly, sometimes before the driver even had a chance to return.
By-law 2024-187 eliminates that common law right within Oakville’s boundaries. Now, all towing from private or municipal property without the vehicle owner’s consent must follow the by-law’s procedures. This applies to commercial parking lots, residential building lots, condominium visitor parking, plaza parking, church parking lots, medical office lots, and any other private property in Oakville.
Who Can Authorize a Tow?
Only four categories of officials can authorize a tow under By-law 2024-187: a Mobile Compliance Officer (MCO) employed by the Town of Oakville, a Municipal Law Enforcement Officer (MLEO) appointed by the Town, the Director of Municipal Enforcement Services or designate, or a police officer. A property owner alone cannot authorize a tow without one of these officials involved.
What Properties Are Affected?
The by-law applies to all private property and municipal property within the Town of Oakville. Commercial lots, residential complexes, condominiums, plazas, churches, medical offices, industrial properties, and municipal land are all covered. If an unauthorized vehicle is parked on your Oakville property and you want it towed, you must follow the by-law.
What Happens If You Do Not Comply?
If your property does not have compliant signage or you attempt to tow vehicles outside the by-law’s process, the tow may not be enforceable. The vehicle owner could dispute the tow, and your property may not be eligible for town enforcement services until it is brought into compliance. In short, non-compliance means you lose the ability to remove problem vehicles.
Mandatory Signage Requirements Under By-Law 2024-187
Signage is the foundation of compliant private property towing enforcement in Oakville. Without proper signs, no tow from your property can be authorized. Here is exactly what the by-law requires:
The 5 Required Sign Elements
1. An “Authorized Parking Only” statement
The sign must clearly state that parking is restricted to authorized vehicles only. This is the primary notice to motorists that the lot is private and controlled.
2. The tow-away graphic symbol
A recognizable tow-away icon must be included on the sign. This provides a universal visual warning that vehicles may be towed, which is important for drivers who may not read the text or who speak a language other than English.
3. A statement that unauthorized vehicles may be tagged and/or towed at the vehicle owner’s expense
The sign must explicitly warn that the vehicle owner bears the cost of any towing and storage. This ensures drivers cannot claim they were unaware of the consequences.
4. The name and telephone number of the property owner or the owner’s employee, agent, or contractor
A contact number must be displayed so vehicle owners can reach someone if their car is towed or if they have questions about parking permissions.
5. The applicable town parking by-law number and By-law 2024-187
The sign must reference both the specific town parking by-law that applies to the property and By-law 2024-187 itself. This gives legal authority to the enforcement action.
Additional Sign Requirements
Beyond the five content requirements, the physical signs must be legible, professionally made (not handwritten), installed at a height visible to motorists entering the property, printed in lettering that contrasts with the background colour, constructed from durable material that withstands wind and weather, and made of reflective material if parking rules apply at night. Signs must be posted at all public entrances to the property and within the property itself to ensure adequate visibility.
Compliance deadlines: Properties that already had towing-related signage before February 28, 2025, have until December 31, 2027 to update their signs to the five-element standard. However, those signs must still be placed at all entrances and throughout the property. Properties installing new signage after the by-law’s effective date must comply immediately.
Signage exceptions: Towing signage is not required on municipal rights-of-way, at driveways to private dwellings, at signed fire routes, in emergency situations, or as determined by the Director of Municipal Enforcement Services.
The 30-Minute Waiting Period: What It Means for Property Owners
One of the most significant provisions in By-law 2024-187 is the mandatory 30-minute waiting period between issuing a parking ticket and authorizing a tow. This is the Town’s primary tool against predatory towing.
Here is how it works: A Municipal Law Enforcement Officer (MLEO) or Mobile Compliance Officer (MCO) first issues a penalty notice (parking ticket) to the vehicle. After the ticket is served, the clock starts on a 30-minute waiting period. The vehicle cannot be towed during this time. The purpose is to give the vehicle owner a chance to return and move their vehicle before it is towed. Only after the 30 minutes have passed, and the vehicle is still there, can the tow be authorized. The MLEO must also get approval from an MCO before proceeding with the tow, and Halton Regional Police must be notified before the vehicle is moved.
Exceptions: When Immediate Towing Is Allowed
The 30-minute waiting period does not apply in the following situations, where vehicles can be towed immediately after the penalty notice is issued:
Need an Unauthorized Vehicle Removed From Your Property?
TSSEA-certified tow operator. Compliant with By-law 2024-187. Available 24/7.
Three Ways to Set Up Parking Enforcement on Your Property
Under By-law 2024-187, property owners have three options to establish enforcement. Each gives the Town of Oakville’s officers authority to enforce parking rules on your land:
Option 1: Appoint Your Own MLEO
Submit a Property Owner Authorization form to request appointment of a Municipal Law Enforcement Officer (MLEO) to issue Town of Oakville parking penalties on your property. The MLEO must complete a training program provided by the Town. Processing takes approximately 14 days. Property owners must submit insurance documents with their application.
Best for: Large properties with frequent violations where having an on-site officer is practical.
Option 2: Blanket Authority
Authorize the Town’s Mobile Compliance Officers (MCOs) to conduct enforcement patrols on your property at the officer’s discretion. You do not need to be present or call each time. The MCO patrols the property as part of their routine and can issue tickets and authorize tows without a specific request from you. Compliant signage must be installed and inspected by Municipal Enforcement Services before blanket authority is approved.
Best for: Properties with consistent unauthorized parking where hands-off enforcement is preferred.
Option 3: Delegated Authority
Authorize the Town’s MCOs to conduct parking enforcement only when notified by persons you designate, such as a property manager, building superintendent, or security guard. This is a call-as-needed model: your designee spots a violation, contacts the Town, and the MCO responds. It gives you more control over when enforcement happens.
Best for: Properties with occasional violations where you want enforcement only when needed.
Property owners who do not have an MLEO or MCO arrangement in place can still request a tow by contacting ServiceOakville at 905-845-6601 or service@oakville.ca. The property owner must sign an Enforcement of Unauthorized Vehicle on Private Property form provided by the MCO, and the property must already be in compliance with By-law 2024-187 signage requirements. All forms are submitted to parking@oakville.ca.
How Private Property Towing Works Under the New Rules
Once your property has compliant signage and an enforcement arrangement in place, here is the step-by-step process for removing an unauthorized vehicle under By-law 2024-187:
Step 1: Violation identified
An unauthorized vehicle is spotted on your property by your MLEO, an MCO on patrol (blanket authority), or your designated representative notifies the Town (delegated authority).
Step 2: Penalty notice issued
The MLEO or MCO issues a parking ticket to the vehicle, documenting the violation, the time, and the location.
Step 3: 30-minute waiting period
Unless an exception applies (fire route, accessible space, blocking access, etc.), the officer must wait 30 minutes for the vehicle owner to return and move the vehicle.
Step 4: Tow authorization
If the vehicle is still present after the waiting period, the MLEO obtains MCO approval to proceed with the tow.
Step 5: Police notification
The MLEO or MCO notifies Halton Regional Police Service before the vehicle is moved, creating an official record.
Step 6: Tow truck dispatched
A TSSEA-certified tow operator is called to remove the vehicle. Under Ontario’s Towing and Storage Safety and Enforcement Act, the operator must provide a written estimate, take the most direct route, and follow all provincial towing regulations. For vehicles in underground garages, specialized parking garage towing equipment is required.
Step 7: Vehicle stored
The vehicle is transported to a secure storage facility where the owner can retrieve it after paying all applicable towing, storage, and penalty fees.
Parking Garage Towing: Special Considerations
Underground and multi-level parking garages present unique challenges for both enforcement and towing. Many condominiums, office buildings, and retail centres in Oakville have underground lots where unauthorized parking is a chronic problem.
Low-Clearance Equipment Required
Standard tow trucks cannot fit into most underground garages. Parking garage towing requires low-profile wheel-lift trucks, GoJaks (hydraulic dollies that move vehicles without rolling the wheels), and specialized soft-strap rigging. Our garage towing team operates equipment designed for tight ramps, low ceilings, narrow stalls, and sharp turns.
Signage Inside the Garage
By-law 2024-187 requires signs at all public entrances and within the property. For garages, this means signs at the garage entrance, on each level, and near visitor or reserved sections. Reflective material is required if parking rules apply at night, which is relevant for garages with limited lighting.
Condominium Considerations
Condominiums are the most common source of parking garage towing calls in Oakville. Unauthorized vehicles in visitor spots, blocking resident spaces, or parked in fire routes all require removal. The condo board or property management company should establish a blanket or delegated authority arrangement with the Town to enable consistent enforcement without needing to call ServiceOakville for every incident.
The Parking Boot Prohibition: By-Law 2025-097
After By-law 2024-187 took effect, some property owners and enforcement companies turned to parking boots (wheel clamps) as an alternative to towing. This created a new wave of complaints from vehicle owners who found their cars immobilized and were required to pay a fee before the boot would be removed.
On May 26, 2025, Oakville Town Council responded by passing By-law 2025-097, the Immobilization Prohibition By-law. This by-law prohibits the use of parking boots, wheel locks, wheel clamps, windshield barnacles, and similar devices on vehicles parked on private property in Oakville without the vehicle owner’s consent. The reasoning is that immobilizing a vehicle does not solve the parking problem, because the car remains in the spot, blocking it from use. Towing under By-law 2024-187 is the appropriate remedy because it removes the vehicle and frees the space.
For property owners, this means your enforcement options are parking tickets and towing through the by-law process, not boots or clamps. Violations of the immobilization prohibition carry administrative penalties that escalate for repeat offences.
Frequently Asked Questions About Private Property Towing in Oakville
Can I still call a tow truck directly to remove a car from my property?
Under By-law 2024-187, you cannot simply call a tow truck and have a vehicle removed from your private property without going through the by-law process. A Municipal Law Enforcement Officer or Mobile Compliance Officer must authorize the tow. However, once authorized, you can specify your preferred TSSEA-certified tow operator. Call us at (289) 430-5168 to discuss how we work within the by-law framework for your property.
How much does it cost the property owner to have a vehicle towed?
In most enforcement towing situations, the vehicle owner pays all towing and storage fees when they retrieve their car. The property owner typically does not pay for the tow. However, costs depend on the specific arrangement. For standard towing pricing, see our 2026 Towing Cost Guide. For ongoing enforcement arrangements with volume towing, fleet-style accounts with pre-negotiated rates may be available.
My property already has parking signs. Do I need new ones?
If your existing signs were installed before February 28, 2025, they are grandfathered until December 31, 2027. However, they must already be placed at all public entrances and throughout the property. After December 31, 2027, all signs must fully comply with the five-element standard. If you are installing new signage now, it must comply immediately. We recommend updating early to avoid any enforcement gaps.
What if someone is blocking my business entrance right now?
Blocking entrances, exits, driveways, loading docks, and laneways is one of the exceptions to the 30-minute waiting period. An MCO or MLEO can authorize immediate towing after issuing the penalty notice. Contact ServiceOakville at 905-845-6601 to request enforcement, or if you have blanket authority, the MCO can act at their discretion.
Can I use parking boots instead of towing?
No. By-law 2025-097 prohibits the use of parking boots, wheel clamps, and similar immobilization devices on vehicles without the owner’s consent on private property in Oakville. Towing under By-law 2024-187 is the approved enforcement method. Administrative penalties apply for violations of the boot prohibition.
Does this by-law apply to residential properties like single-family homes?
Towing signage is not required at driveways to private dwellings. If someone parks in your personal driveway, the situation is handled differently than a commercial lot. You can contact Halton Regional Police non-emergency or ServiceOakville for assistance. The main thrust of By-law 2024-187 targets commercial lots, multi-residential buildings, and municipal property.
How do I dispute a penalty notice from parking enforcement on my property?
If you are a vehicle owner who received a penalty notice, you can request a review by a screening officer within 15 days of the penalty date. If you are not satisfied with the screening decision, you can request a hearing. Details on the dispute process are available through ServiceOakville.
Can a vehicle be towed from a garage that has no tow-truck access?
Yes. Our parking garage towing equipment includes low-clearance wheel-lifts, GoJaks, and dollies that can move vehicles through tight spaces, up ramps, and out of underground garages without the vehicle running or the wheels rolling. Even vehicles with no keys, dead batteries, or engaged steering locks can be safely extracted from multi-level structures. See our parking garage towing page for details.
What about abandoned vehicles on my property?
Abandoned vehicles follow the same by-law process. The vehicle must be ticketed, the waiting period observed (unless an exception applies), and the tow authorized by an MLEO or MCO. For vehicles that have been left for an extended period, contact ServiceOakville to initiate the process. If the vehicle appears to be a scrap or derelict vehicle, ask about vehicle removal services. Visit our FAQ page for more information, or learn why Oakville property owners choose us for private property towing.
Where can I find the full text of By-law 2024-187?
The full text of By-law 2024-187 is published on the Town of Oakville’s towing page. The Town also provides sample signage templates and application forms for MLEO appointment, blanket authority, and delegated authority on the Parking Enforcement on Private Property page. To reach ServiceOakville directly, call 905-845-6601 or email service@oakville.ca. For towing services, contact us at (289) 430-5168 or visit our service area page.
Compliant Parking Enforcement Starts With the Right Towing Partner.
TSSEA-certified. By-law 2024-187 compliant. Parking garage specialists. 24/7 availability.
Serving commercial lots, condominiums, plazas, office buildings, and residential complexes across Oakville