Unauthorized parking is a persistent problem for property managers, condominium boards, and commercial property owners in Ottawa. A vehicle in a fire lane, blocking a loading dock, or occupying a reserved spot affects daily operations and creates liability for the property owner. Understanding how private property vehicle removal works in Ontario is the starting point for managing it properly.
The Legal Basis for Private Property Towing in Ontario
Ontario law permits property owners to have unauthorized vehicles removed from their property. The authority comes from the Trespass to Property Act. A vehicle left on private property without permission is trespassing, and the property owner can have it removed at the vehicle owner expense.
Before a vehicle can be towed from private property, proper signage must be in place. Ontario regulations require visible signage at all access points indicating that unauthorized vehicles will be towed at the owner expense.
What Proper Signage Looks Like
For a tow from private property to be legally defensible in Ontario, signs must be posted conspicuously at every vehicle entrance point to the property. The sign must state that unauthorized vehicles will be towed at the owner expense. The regulations under the Trespass to Property Act set out minimum requirements for size and placement. Signage that does not meet these requirements can expose the property owner to liability if a vehicle owner disputes the tow.
Ontario Towing works with property managers across Ottawa to review signage compliance before beginning any parking enforcement program. Proper signage protects both the property owner and the towing company.
The Notification Requirement After a Private Property Tow
When a vehicle is towed from private property in Ontario, the tower must notify the local police detachment within one hour that the tow has taken place. The notification includes the vehicle description, the location from which it was removed, and the destination. The vehicle owner can then contact police to find out where the car has gone.
Ontario Towing follows this notification requirement for every private property tow in Ottawa. No vehicle owner is left without a way to locate their car.
What Property Managers in Ottawa Use Ontario Towing For
Ontario Towing works with property managers across Ottawa on both immediate response and ongoing patrol enforcement. Immediate response means a property manager or security officer calls when an unauthorized vehicle is on the property right now. Ongoing enforcement involves regular patrols of properties with chronic parking violations, particularly overnight.
Common clients include apartment buildings with assigned parking, retail plazas with fire lane violations, commercial properties with reserved loading zones, and condominium corporations with visitor parking abuse. Ontario Towing serves properties in all major Ottawa districts including Centretown, Westboro, the Glebe, South Keys, and the suburban areas of Barrhaven and Kanata.
Documentation and Dispute Protection
Ontario Towing keeps records of every private property tow including the authorization from the property representative, the signage that was in place, the time of removal, and the notification to police. This documentation is available to property managers if a vehicle owner disputes the tow or pursues any legal claim.
Direct vehicle owners to call Ontario Towing at (613) 619-4545 to locate their vehicle and arrange retrieval. Transparent records on both sides of the process protect everyone involved.
Setting Up an Enforcement Agreement with Ontario Towing
Property managers who want consistent enforcement rather than reactive calls can set up a standing agreement with Ontario Towing. The company assigns patrol coverage, establishes communication protocols with on-site management, and handles the documentation on every removal. This approach works well for larger Ottawa properties where unauthorized parking is a daily issue rather than an occasional one.
