Waterfront Parking

Waterfront parking coming soon

Beginning May 15 to October 15, paid parking will be in effect at Lakeview Park and Ed Broadbent Waterfront Park on weekends, public holidays (Victoria Day, Canada Day, Labour Day, Thanksgiving Day) and during City events.

Free parking for Oshawa residents

Oshawa residents can park for free by registering their vehicle(s) for a Waterfront Parking Permit. Permits will be valid from May 15 to October 15 and must be renewed each year. Vehicles must be registered to an Oshawa address. See the Frequently Asked Questions section below for special situations.

How to register

Registration for the Waterfront Parking Permit will begin April 1, 2026. The following documents are required:

Vehicle permit (i.e. green vehicle ownership document)

Proof of residency; must include owner’s name and a City of Oshawa address (examples: driver's licence, utility bill from within the last 60 days or property tax bill from current year).

In-person: Register in person at Service Oshawa. City staff will validate and approve registration on the spot.

Online: Register online through the online portal. Allow up to three business days for registration confirmation.

Waterfront Parking Permit - online portal coming soon

Paid parking for non-residents and unregistered vehicles

Non-residents and vehicles without a parking permit pay a flat rate of $20 per day on weekends, public holidays and City events.

Pay by meter

Parking meters will be available on-site.

Pay by phone

The City of Oshawa is happy to provide a convenient option for paying for your parking downtown. HonkMobile can be used for all on-street and surface parking payments. Download the app from Apple or Google Play stores.

General questions

Why is a parking system being implemented?

Paid parking is being implemented to help manage growing demand at Oshawa's waterfront during peak periods. The program is intended to improve space availability during high-use times, reduce congestion and support ongoing maintenance and enhancements to the waterfront.

What holidays and City events are included?

Paid parking is in effect on the following public holidays. For the 2026 season, this includes:

Victoria Day (Monday, May 18)
Canada Day (Wednesday, July 1)
Labour Day (Monday, September 7)
Thanksgiving Day (Monday, October 12)

It is not in effect on McLaughlin Day (Civic Holiday – on Monday, August 3) and The National Day of Truth and Reconciliation (Wednesday, September 30).

Paid parking is also in effect during City events. For the 2026 season, this includes:

Indigenous Cultural Celebration (Saturday, May 30)
Canada Day (Wednesday, July 1)
Events in the Park on Tuesdays in August at Ed Broadbent Park

How will the city use revenue generated from waterfront paid parking?

Revenue generated from paid parking will be allocated to the City’s Park and Recreation Infrastructure Reserve. These funds will support operational improvements and the replacement of equipment at Oshawa waterfront parks.

What is the penalty for parking violations?

The City of Oshawa has a tiered, escalating penalty system for various parking infractions. The penalty for parking in a lot without paying the fee is as follows:

Tier One $40
Tier Two $60
Tier Three $80

All municipal parking lots within the City of Oshawa are routinely patrolled by officers. If you wish to report a parking violation, please call 905-436-3311.

Pay your ticket or request a screening

Eligibility questions

Who is eligible for free waterfront parking?

Oshawa residents can register for a Waterfront Parking Permit at no charge, allowing free use of waterfront parking lots at Lakeview Park, Lakeview Park Beach and Ed Broadbent Waterfront Park.

Eligibility is NOT OFFERED for the following situations:

Individuals who do not live in Oshawa or own a business and/or property in Oshawa;
Individuals who work in Oshawa but do not live in Oshawa;
Individuals residing in a short-term rental (summer lease, AirBnB, timeshare, etc.) who own a vehicle associated with a non-Oshawa address;
Vehicles owned by a caregiver or relative of someone who resides in Oshawa, but vehicle owner does not have a Oshawa address themselves;
Vehicles visiting Oshawa residents;
Motorhomes, trailers, buses, and other large vehicles that do not fit into a single parking stall.

If you are still about your eligibility, please contact Service Oshawa at 905-436-3311 or service@oshawa.ca.

Are accessible parking permit or veteran license plate holders required to pay?

Vehicles displaying a valid accessible parking permit or veteran licence plate are can park for free in City waterfront parking lots. These vehicles may park in any available spots (not just the designated accessible parking spots) but are required to abide by any time limits that may apply to that location.

If you own a business in Oshawa, are you eligible for free parking for your business vehicle?

A Waterfront Parking Permit can be issued for a business vehicle if the business resides in Oshawa.

Required documentation includes vehicle permit and proof of address for the Oshawa business. Examples of proof of address for a business include:

Property Tax bill (from current year)
Utility bill from within the last 60 days
Lease agreement
Business license

If you drive a business vehicle, are you eligible for free parking?

Employees who drive business vehicles are also eligible for a Waterfront Parking Permit.

Required documentation includes vehicle permit and proof of address to the Oshawa business. If the vehicle permit is under a business name/address, upload a third document which connects you to the business, such as a business card, pay stub, or a letter on company letter head.

What if I have a unique situation and am unsure if I am eligible for free parking?

There are unique situations in which a vehicle may be eligible to park free with a Waterfront Parking Permit, even though it may not be associated with an Oshawa address.

Common situations include:

Individuals who have recently moved to Oshawa whose vehicle ownership has not yet been updated
Apply with your vehicle permit along with proof of residency of Oshawa address (examples: tax bill, insurance bill, utility bill). The name on the proof of residency must match the name on vehicle permit.

Owners of property in Oshawa
If you own property in Oshawa but do not reside in Oshawa yourself, you must submit one document as proof of ownership of an Oshawa property. The proof of ownership must clearly indicate the Oshawa address, name of the property owner, and depending on the documentation, should show a recent date issued. The name on the vehicle permit must match the name on the proof of ownership document.

Post-secondary students attending school in Oshawa
If the vehicle is registered in your parent’s name, one of your uploaded documents when applying must be "proof of access" to that vehicle (i.e. an insurance policy, listing you as a secondary or occasional driver). Proof of residency in Oshawa can be a lease agreement, etc.

Individuals with rented vehicles
Residents who wish to receive a Waterfront Parking Permit for a rental vehicle must do so in person at Service Oshawa. Proof of residency along with the rental agreement must be provided for approval. If approved the permit will expire on the same day as the rental agreement.

If you are still unsure if you are eligible for a free waterfront parking, please contact Service Oshawa at 905-436-3311 or service@oshawa.ca. to discuss your situation.

Registration/permit questions

Does the Waterfront Parking Permit expire?

The Waterfront Parking Permit is valid from May 15 to October 15 each year and must be renewed annually.

Are permits limited to one per resident? What if I own multiple vehicles?

Residents may register multiple vehicles provided the vehicle ownership is registered to their address. Residents must register each vehicle individually.