Parking Tickets

Enforcing parking regulations is a crucial component in the municipality’s pursuit of safe, fair, and accessible mobility goals. As outlined in the Regional Council-approved Integrated Mobility Plan, parking is an important part of an integrated approach to transportation. Parking enforcement helps optimize the efficient use of parking spaces, promotes traffic flow, prioritizes public safety and encourages alternative modes of transportation such as public transit, walking, and cycling. 

In 2023, the Regional Council approved the adoption of an incremental fine system for parking violations. This system introduces first, second, and third tier offence categories for repeat various parking violations. Users will be subjected to increased fines based on the number of violations a user accumulates over a set period of months.

How to pay a parking ticket

Parking tickets are due 60 days after the ticket was issued.

You are able to pay the parking ticket up until 11:59 p.m. on the night before your arraignment court date. After that time the ticket is no longer payable to Halifax Regional Municipality and payment must be made to the Provincial Courthouse.

When paying your ticket, keep in mind:

• You are only eligible for the discounted price if the ticket is paid within the time frame listed on the face of the ticket.
• You have 30 days from the date of ticket issuance to submit a dispute.
• Payment of a ticket is considered admission of guilt to the offence. Disputes will not be accepted for tickets that have been paid, and refunds are not offered on ticket payments.

Please be advised that Halifax Regional Municipality does not send out correspondence related to outstanding parking tickets via text message.

Option 1: Pay your ticket before the court date

Pay online: https://hrm.aimsparking.com/

Pay your ticket online using Visa, Mastercard, or American Express.

Pay in person:

Pay your ticket at any Municipal Customer Service Centre. Customer Service Centres accept cash, debit, and credit.

Option 2: Pay your ticket on or after the court date

On or after the court date, you must make your payment to the Provincial Courthouse. See penalty details on the front of the ticket for payment amount. Halifax Regional Municipality cannot accept ticket payments on or after the court date.

If you do not pay the fine or make a plea in court as directed by the Summons, the Justice will enter a conviction in your absence resulting in a fine as outlined on the front of your original ticket. For payment arrangements or any further questions, contact the Provincial Courthouse at 902.424.8718.

The Registrar of Motor Vehicles may not allow you to renew your license or vehicle permit until the fine is paid. A fee in addition to the fine may be applied by the Registrar of Motor Vehicles.

Disputing a parking ticket

Receive a parking ticket you don’t agree with?

You can appeal a parking ticket within 30 days of it being issued by requesting an administrative review for a number of violations. A list of violations that can be disputed can be found in the Common Questions section below. Please note that ticket disputes will not be accepted for tickets that have been paid, as payment is considered admission of guilt to the offence. 

Tickets issued on private property cannot be reviewed by Parking Services staff. To dispute a ticket issued on private property, Parking Services requires written authorization from the property management group requesting the ticket be cancelled.

How do I dispute my parking ticket?

If you wish to appeal a parking ticket, you can do so online, by mail, or in person. Allow 7–14 business days for Parking Services to review your submission and advise you of the outcome. 

By self-service online: visit our online portal to dispute your ticket 

By mail:
Submitting a Ticket Review Form [PDF]
Parking Enforcement
PO Box 1749
Halifax NS
B3J 3A5

In Person:
Drop it off at any Municipal Customer Service Centre.

Common questions about ticketing

What is an incremental fine?

Incremental fines are designed to take into account the number of violations someone has received. Instead of imposing a fixed fine for all offences, the tiered system allows for greater flexibility in tailoring penalties to match the frequency of the violations. There is a discounted pre-court fine amount for incremental violations which can be found on the face of the ticket.

How do I dispute a parking ticket?

Ticket disputes can be submitted online using the self-service portal, by mail, or in person. Once a dispute is submitted, please allow 7-14 business days for Parking Services to review your submission and advise of the outcome.

What kind of ticket can I dispute?

The following types of parking tickets can be disputed. Please ensure to provide the indicated supporting documentation with your dispute.

01–No Parking (s.143(1))
You can dispute a ticket for parking in a No Parking zone in the following circumstances:

• If the vehicle is a delivery or service vehicle. Your dispute must include a receipt, invoice, or work order, including date, time, and location or civic address.
• If your vehicle was broken down. Your dispute must include a receipt for repairs or for towing.

05–Parking during Winter Ban (4a)
You can dispute a Winter Parking Ban ticket in the following circumstances:

• If you are a physician or surgeon parked reasonably near your office or residence and immediately available for professional calls, or parked reasonably near where you are engaged in professional duties. Your dispute must include a letter from your employer, on organizational letterhead, confirming that you were actively engaged in your duties.
• If you are Police Officer, a member of the Canadian Armed Forces Military Police, or a member of the Halifax Regional Fire Service actively engaged in duties. Your dispute must include a letter from your employer, on organizational letterhead, confirming that you were actively engaged in your duties.
• If your vehicle was stopped in this zone so you could actively engage in loading or unloading. 
• If the vehicle is a taxi and parked at a taxi stand. Your dispute must include evidence that you were on-call (EG: a schedule, etc.).
• If the vehicle belongs to a public utility company or corporation parked reasonably near the residence of an operator and immediately available for emergency calls. Your dispute must include a letter from your employer, on organizational letterhead, confirming that you were actively engaged in your duties.

13–Private Property (s.149(1))
To dispute a ticket issued on private property, an authorized representative of the property (EG: property owner, property manager) must provide written authorization, on organizational letterhead, requesting the ticket be cancelled.

20–Accessible Zone Private Property (s.145(4))
To dispute a ticket issued for parking in an accessible parking zone on private property, an authorized representative of the property (EG: property owner, property manager) must provide written authorization, on organizational letterhead, requesting the ticket be cancelled, along with confirmation of the valid accessible parking permit number.

27–Accessible Parking Zone (s. 145(3))
Your dispute must include your valid accessible parking permit number.

28–Fire Lane (s. 150(2))
If you are ticketed for parking in a fire lane that has not been approved by the Municipality, your dispute must include a letter from the property owner confirming you were authorized to park there. Disputes for parking in an approved fire lane cannot be accepted, as this is strictly prohibited.

42–Pay Station Violation (13)(b)(2)
You can dispute a ticket for a pay station violation in the following circumstances:

• If the vehicle is registered with the Department of National Defence (correct license plate or pass) and on duty.
• If the vehicle is a delivery or service vehicle. Your dispute must include a receipt, invoice, or work order, including date, time, and location or civic address.
• If the vehicle was actively engaged in loading/unloading activity for no longer than 30 minutes.
• If there was no zone letter indicated on the ticket.

What are my other options?

If you wish to further dispute your ticket after it has been reviewed and deemed valid by the Municipality, you may do so in provincial court. A Summons letter will be mailed to the registered vehicle owner. This Summons will indicate the date and time to appear in court. This is your arraignment. Your first appearance will be to enter a plea only. You may plead guilty or not guilty. If you enter a plea of not guilty, the Court will provide you with a trial date.

If the registered owner cannot attend on the arraignment date, a friend or relative may enter a plea on their behalf.

What happens if I do nothing?

If you do not pay the fine or make a plea in court as directed by the Summons, the Justice will enter a conviction in your absence resulting in a fine as outlined on the front of your original ticket.

How long do I have to dispute a parking ticket?

You have 30 days from the date of ticket issuance to submit a dispute.

Where can I pay my parking ticket?

You can pay for your parking ticket online or in person at any HRM Customer Service Centre.

I've received a paper ticket but cannot find it in the self-serve portal. How do I pay this ticket?

If the parking ticket is legible, please bring it to any HRM Customer Service Centre. If the ticket is not legible, please call 311.