Free and paid parking is available at various municipal lots throughout the downtown core, in addition to on street parking where permitted. Learn more about:
- Municipal lots
- Pricing and permits
- Downtown merchants parking passes
- Accessible parking permits
- Veteran’s parking
- Overnight parking
- Parking concerns
- Recreational Vehicle Parking
- Trailers on City Streets
Municipal Lot Locations and Details
Several municipal lots are available for parking throughout the City’s downtown core. Some lots require payment or permits to utilize.
Parking is not permitted in any lot between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m. daily, without an overnight parking permit.
Consult the table below for details. You can view our downtown parking lot map to browse the location of lots.
| Lot Name and Location | Free Parking and Hourly Pay & Display | Daytime Permit Parking | Overnight Permit Parking |
| Bayshore Lot #1 Front Street North near London Road | Free parking available in lot. Signs posted along the waterfront of four-hour parking time limit. | N/A | N/A |
| Front Street Lot #11 George Street and Front Street | Free parking weekdays after 4:30 p.m., weekends and holidays | Yes | N/A |
| Charlotte Street Lot #3 Charlotte Street between Vidal Street N. & Christina Street N. | Free parking in designated spots from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. | Yes | Yes |
| Lochiel Street Lot #10 Lochiel Street (west end, waterfront) | N/A | Yes | Yes |
| Parkway Lot #8 157-165 Christina Street N. | 19 Hourly Pay & Display spaces from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays with free parking available 6 p.m. to 3 a.m. and weekends | Yes | Yes |
| CNR Lot #4 Front Street at Ferry Dock Hill | N/A | Yes | Yes |
| Vendome Lot #6 Front Street between Cromwell Street and Davis Street ~ Please note private section along Davis St, signs posted. | 19 Hourly Pay & Display spaces from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays with free parking available from 6 p.m. to 3 a.m. and weekends | Yes | Yes |
| Victoria Street Lot #9 Victoria Street between Cromwell Street and Davis Street | Free parking daily in designated section | Yes | Yes |
| Julia Street Lot #7 Julia Street and Davis Street | 21 Hourly Pay & Display spaces from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays with free parking available from 6 p.m. to 3 a.m. and weekends | Yes | Yes |
| Mitton Street Lot #5 135 Mitton Street S. | Free 2 Hour Parking | Yes | N/A |
Pricing and Permits
Monthly permits provide a guaranteed parking space. For availability and purchasing, please contact Customer Service at 255 Christina St N., by email at city@sarnia.ca or 519-332-0330 ext. 3131.
Consult the table below for pay and display rates and pricing for passes / permits. Monthly Permit Passes in Municipal Lots are per our Fees for Service. Prices include HST.
| Pay and Display Hourly Rate | $1.00/hr | ||
| Overnight Pass (Charlotte, Vendome, Julia, Mitton, Parkway, Lochiel, Victoria, CNR) | $77.41 Per Month | ||
| Daytime Passes | 1 Month | 6 Months | 12 Months |
| Victoria Lot | $26.84 | $136.17 | $265.55 |
| Charlotte Lot, Vendome Lot, Julia Lot, Mitton Lot, Front Lot, Parkway Lot, Lochiel Lot, CNR Lot | $61.87 | $318.66 | $618.95 |
Pass Renewals
Current parking pass holders must renew their parking pass within the first three business days of the month following expiry. After the three business days have passed, the parking spot becomes available to the public for purchase. Visit Customer Service at 255 Christina St N., Sarnia, ON.
Downtown Merchant Parking Passes
Downtown merchant parking passes are available for purchase in Customer Service at 255 Christina St N., Sarnia, ON. The Merchant Loading Zone Pass is available for downtown merchants to use in areas marked Commercial Loading for up to 30 minutes 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monday – Saturday. Each business can have only 1 pass, after completing the required waiver.
Accessible Parking Permits
Accessible Parking Permits are obtained through the Province. Please use the following links Renew an Accessible Parking Permit and Apply for an Accessible Parking Permit. Accessible permit holders may use the accessible spaces in metered City parking lots for a duration of two hours, free of charge. After the two hours the vehicle will be required to relocate or will receive a fine.
Veteran’s Parking
Veteran licence plate holders can park in metered City parking lots, free of charge. Additionally, there are Veteran parking spots in unpaid municipal parking lots at Bayshore Park, Germain Park, Pat Stapleton Arena, and Progressive Auto Sales Arena.
Overnight Parking
Parking is not permitted in any municipal lot between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m. daily, without an overnight parking permit.
Overnight parking of licensed personal automobiles and motorcycles on residential streets is allowed between the hours of 2 a.m. and 5:30 a.m. from April 1 to November 30, annually. These vehicles can park on the street for a maximum of 12 hours. This is to keep the continued flow of traffic within the City moving and avoids vehicles being left on the roadways for days at time not moving.
Please note, there are no overnight parking options available from December 1 to March 31, except for Road Occupancy Permits, more information is available online here. On-street parking is not permitted between 2:00 a.m. and 5:30 a.m. during this time.
Parking Concerns
Use the contact us form and select “By-Law Enforcement” to connect with us regarding any parking concerns.
The City does not regulate visitor parking requirements for private property. Questions on the number of parking spaces required at a building should be directed to Planning@sarnia.ca.
Recreational Vehicles
Recreational Vehicle (RV) Parking & Dumping
Visiting in your RV for Days at a Time?
There are no RV Sanitary Dumping stations in the the city. You will need to visit a nearby campground for RV dumping.
If you are visiting a Sarnia resident they may agree to let you park in their driveway, see guidelines below. Otherwise you will need to park at a Camp Ground.
Sarnia Residents RV Parking
Below is a guide to successful planning before bringing your recreational vehicle home for the summer!
May 1 – October 31:
Residents may park their RVs on their driveways in the front yard of the property during this warmer seasonal time. They may also keep them parked in their side yard or in the rear yard provided, they are parked on a hard surface and are 0.6 metres away from the lot line or sidewalk.
November 1 – April 30:
Residents may not park their RVs on their driveways in the front yard of the property during this winter period. They may keep them parked in their side yard or in the rear yard provided, they are parked on a hard surface and are 0.6 metres away from the lot line. If parking on their property cannot be accommodated, they are required to find parking in a private lot off-site.
Trailers on City Streets
Parking of Trailers on City Streets
We appreciate the community’s cooperation in keeping streets safe and accessible.
Trailers are not permitted to be left on street overnight any time of the year.
All other parking and traffic regulations also remain in effect, including the following:
- Parking is prohibited within 1m of driveway.
- There is a 12-hour maximum time limit.
- Following signage as posted.
If a resident intends to occupy a portion of the street for an extended period, for example using a dump trailer as a temporary dumpster they must contact the Engineering Department to inquire about obtaining a hoarding permit.
Fine Structure
Violation rates for parking infractions
Parking Ticket Methods of Payment
FRAUD ALERT – TEXTS REQUESTING PAYMENTWe have received word that some members of the community have received text messages requesting […]