School Enforcement

Parking Near Schools

The safety of children is important to everyone in our community. Pedestrian activity is traditionally more prevalent in proximity to schools, particularly during morning arrival and afternoon dismissal.

Over the last several years, the high volume of motorists dropping off and picking up children at schools throughout the city has increased, creating potentially unsafe traffic conditions, as well as blocking school buses from entering and leaving school properties. In an effort to improve traffic congestion around schools, various parking initiatives have been enacted. Drivers are encouraged to obey posted signs to create a safer environment for school children.

School Neighbourhood Policy

The School Neighbourhood Policy addresses parking, traffic and transportation issues involving school sites and surrounding neighbourhoods through a combination of engineering, enforcement, and education measures to provide a consistent approach to these issues.

• School Neighbourhood Policy

The School Neighbourhood Policy identifies locations where school area warning signage or reduced-speed school zones will be provided on school approach streets. These school areas and school zones are being installed citywide as resources allow.

For more information on the School Neighbourhood Policy, please contact the Transportation Planning Division at 519-255-6267 by phone or transportation@citywindsor.ca by email.

Parking Enforcement Around Schools

Enforcement of parking regulations around schools encourages compliance and results in a safer environment for all pedestrians, including students. Schools normally attempt to resolve parking conflicts through school newsletters, flyers, school council meetings, etc. However, when issues arising out of parking violations cannot be resolved by other means, dedicated zero tolerance parking enforcement must become a regular occurrence.

There are several parking regulations around schools. Please review some of the common signs seen around school zones listed below. There is a picture of the signs as well as what the sign means to help assist you when driving your child to school:

School Bus Loading Zone

This marks a zone within which school buses load or unload passengers without using the red alternating lights and stop arm.

No Stopping: Do not stop in the area between the signs.

This means stopping even for a moment or to drop off passengers or goods is prohibited except when directed by a police officer. (These signs are used in pairs or groups.)

No Parking: Do not park in the area between the signs.

This means you are prohibited even when the vehicle is occupied unless you are actively engaged in loading or unloading merchandise or passengers. Drivers are not allowed to wait for their passenger while in a "no parking zone." (These signs are used in pairs or groups.)

Please note the direction of the black arrows at the bottom of most traffic signs, as the arrows indicate the direction to which the sign applies. These black arrows are to be adhered to until the next sign indicates differently. Signs are not broken up by driveways.

"Driveaways": If you are witnessed by a parking enforcement officer (currently the Commissionaires of Ottawa - Windsor Division) disobeying the signs and do not receive an immediate penalty notice adhered to your vehicle, you may receive a "driveaway letter" via Canada Post that reflects the infraction and fees.

Zones are clearly marked. Parking enforcement officers will issue tickets in accordance with the City of Windsor's Parking By-law 9023 (see By-laws Online).

For other signs and what they mean, please visit the Ontario Driver's Handbook for Regulatory Traffic Signs.

In partnering with local school boards (Greater Essex County District School Board and Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board), the City of Windsor is promoting a healthy lifestyle living for today's children. We encourage parents to allow children to walk a couple blocks or to participate in the bus programs that the school offers.

Please see the links below for safety tips for you and your child when walking to and from school:

• CAA School Safety Brochure - The route to school should always start with safety.
• Tips for Walking Safely to School

For questions or more information, please contact:

Phone: For general information, call 311. For detailed inquiries, call (519) 255-6298, email parkingenforcement@citywindsor.ca or fax (519) 255-9467