(Ottawa, Canada) – Ottawa will begin installing about 660 pay-by-plate parking kiosks on Monday, November 2, replacing the need to display a payment receipt in vehicles at upgraded locations.

The city’s October 30 announcement says installation will take up to five months. City-managed parking lots will be first, with additional locations across Ottawa upgraded through spring 2027.

Payments tied to the vehicle’s plate

At the new kiosks, parking payments will be linked directly to the vehicle’s licence plate. Drivers will no longer have to walk back to their vehicle to leave a receipt on the dashboard.

The machines will accept coins, debit and credit tap, Apple Pay and Google Pay. The PayByPhone app will remain available.

Rates and hours stay the same

The rollout covers on-street paid parking spaces as well as city-managed lots and garages. Ottawa says parking rates and operating hours are not changing as part of this project.

Because installation is phased, the new system will not be available at every location immediately on Monday.

Source: City of Ottawa, October 30, 2026.

Lead image: The Northern Current editorial illustration.