Idling Control By-law Review
Update #4 – October 2, 2024
City Council approves new idling regulations
On October 2, City Council approved the updated Idling Control By-law that restricts unnecessary vehicle idling to reduce greenhouse gases and improve air quality. The updated by-law limits unnecessary vehicle idling to three minutes per hour and introduces an idling maximum of ten minutes per hour for occupied vehicles when the exterior temperature is colder than 0°C or warmer than 27°C, including Humidex.
Some situations and vehicles will be exempt from these limits when necessary for health and safety and proper vehicle function, such as powering mobile workshops, maintaining temperature or humidity for medical reasons, engaging in normal farm practices, and assisting in emergencies.
The new regulations come into effect on January 1, 2025, and residents can continue to request enforcement for excessive vehicle idling by contacting 3-1-1.
Update #3 - 11 September 2024
This review is scheduled before a joint Emergency Preparedness and Protective Services and Environment and Climate Change Committee on Thursday, September 19th. The report can be viewed here.
Update #2 - 10 May 2024
The "What-We-Learned" report is now posted to the Documents section of this webpage.
Update #1 - 18 March 2024
Thank you for your interest in the City's review of the Idling Control By-law. We received over 1000 responses to the survey.
A "What-We-Learned" report will be posted in May that will summarize the feedback that staff have received.
Your responses will be considered as part of the recommendations that staff will present at Committee and Council this September.
Idling Control By-law
The City of Ottawa is conducting a review of its vehicle Idling Control By-law (2007-266). This by-law was enacted in 2007 to reduce unnecessary vehicle idling by all drivers in Ottawa with the aim of improving local air quality and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
City Council has now directed staff to undertake a review of this by-law, and we want to hear from you.
What is idling?
Idling is running a vehicle’s engine when the vehicle is not in motion and when the engine is not operating equipment essential to the basic function of the vehicle. It commonly takes place outside of businesses or residences when waiting to pick someone or something up, when preparing to leave the house or office, or when otherwise being stationary with the engine running.
Did you know that idling is harmful to your health and wastes money?
- According to Ottawa Public Health, emissions from vehicles are a major contributor to air pollution in Ottawa.
- Idling your vehicle for 10 minutes can cost between 300 and 500 millilitres in wasted fuel depending on the size of the engine. If you idle often, it could cost you hundreds of dollars a year. Wasted fuel is wasted money.
- Vehicle idling creates emission impacts. Every litre of gasoline that you use produces 2.3 kilograms of carbon dioxide. Every litre of diesel that you use produces 2.7 kilograms of carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is the principal greenhouse gas emission contributing to climate change impacts.
Current idling regulations
The City of Ottawa’s Idling Control By-law currently limits idling to three consecutive minutes every 60 minutes when the temperature is between 5°C and 27°C. When the temperature is colder than 5°C or hotter than 27°C, there is no idling time limit. The by-law also lists certain vehicles or situations exempt from the idling time limit.
Get involved
The City of Ottawa is seeking your input as an important part of the Idling Control By-law review. Please complete the survey below to tell us about your experience with idling and share your comments on the by-law. This survey takes approximately 10 minutes to complete and will remain open until Friday, 15 March 2024.
Your responses will be considered as part of the City’s review that will be presented to Council in Fall 2024.
For any individuals or businesses that identify their vehicles as a mobile workshop, an armoured vehicle, a private transit vehicle, or as engaging in normal farm practices, we would like to consult further with you. Please contact ByLawReviews@ottawa.ca for additional information.
If you have any questions about the review or survey or if you require accessibility support, please contact ByLawReviews@ottawa.ca.
