Can You Park in Front of a Fire Hydrant in Ontario?

Under Ontario's Highway Traffic Act and most municipal bylaws, no vehicle may be parked within 3 metres (about 10 feet) of a fire hydrant. This rule applies on both sides of the hydrant, meaning you need 3 metres of clearance before and after the hydrant along the curb. The restriction applies at all times of day and does not require a 'No Parking' sign to be posted.

Firefighters need immediate, unobstructed access to fire hydrants. In a fire emergency, every second counts. A vehicle parked in front of a hydrant can delay access, require firefighters to thread a hose through the vehicle's windows (which is legal for them to do and will damage your vehicle), or force them to use a more distant hydrant. These delays can have life-threatening consequences.

Parking officers and police can ticket a vehicle parked too close to a hydrant at any time. The fine varies by municipality: in Toronto, the fine is $100. In some cities it is higher. Your vehicle can also be towed at your expense, which adds a towing fee plus a storage fee for every day it sits in the lot. If your vehicle is blocking a hydrant during an actual fire, firefighters are legally permitted to break your windows to run the hose through.

Hydrants are sometimes hidden behind parked vehicles, overgrown bushes, or in unfamiliar areas. Before parking, walk to the front and rear of your vehicle to confirm there is no hydrant within 3 metres. Also check for hydrants on the opposite sidewalk side of the parked car, as the 3-metre rule counts from the hydrant itself.