Parking Guide
Hamilton
The parking permits assigned to us—and the privileges or restrictions that come with them—vary based on the type of service (e.g., FLEX, station-based vehicles) and the location, including on-street or off-street parking and the city where the permit was issued.
Use the links below to learn about the rules applicable to each type of service.
Rules for Station-based Vehicles Available by Reservation
Rules for Station-based Vehicles Available by Reservation All our round-trip vehicles have reserved parking spaces which will be waiting for you at the end of each trip.
Our stations are located, for the most part, in private or public lots. At most stations, there is a specific parking spot reserved for us, while in some, it is possible to park anywhere onsite. Find out parking details in the Communauto app by clicking on the station name once you have selected a vehicle.
Rules for FLEX Vehicles (One-Way Trips)
Rules for FLEX Vehicles (One-Way Trips) Hamilton’s free-floating carsharing permit program allows FLEX cars to be released in non-paid parking zones on-street within the service area, including in time-limited zones. FLEX cars can also be released on other streets where there are no restrictions, and at FLEX drop-off points.
Keep in mind that you are not allowed to release a vehicle in a zone with temporary parking restrictions (including Through Streets) even if parking is permitted at the time of your return. FLEX cars must be able to stay where you release them for a minimum of 24 hours.
If you are stopping over within the City of Hamilton, but outside the FLEX Zone, please note that on unsigned streets you are allowed to park for a maximum of 12 hours.
Understanding Signage When Driving a FLEX Vehicle in Hamilton
- Time-limited parking except on Through Streets
- Unsigned streets which are not Through Streets
- You may not release a FLEX vehicle on a through street.
- Stopover parking on through streets is permitted if you are abiding by posted signage, and not parking overnight between 2am-7am per city regulations for through streets.
- You may consult the list of Through Streets below, or see the city’s map of Through Streets.
FLEX Drop-Off Points
- FLEX drop-off points are designated parking spaces that are generally outside of the service area but where it is still possible to start or end a trip with a FLEX vehicle.
- Parking icons on the map are clickable. Click on an icon to find out additional information about a specific FLEX drop-off point.
- There are five designated locations around downtown Hamilton, with two meter spots each, that are signed as “CarShare Friendly Parking”.
- You may either release a FLEX vehicle at these designated meter spots, or park a FLEX vehicle there during a stopover, free of charge.
- These meters are still open to the public for use, so availability of parking is not guaranteed.
Alternate-side and Other Signage
- You may release a FLEX on the permitted side of the street where alternate side parking is in effect. In most areas, you can park on one side of the street from the 1st to the 15th of each month and on the other/opposite side of the street from the 16th to the last day of the month.
- Other posted restrictions, such as “No parking 1pm-4pm 2nd Tuesday of the month” must be respected. Please ensure the FLEX vehicle can remain legally parked for at least 24 hours at the time you release it if these signs are present.
Examples of Signs Indicating Where FLEX Trips Cannot Be Ended at Any Time in Hamilton.
This list is not exhaustive.
Even if it’s legal to park when you release the car, you can’t release a car in a time-restricted spot
These signs apply to residential permit holders only, they do not allow parking with our carshare permits.
Once a vehicle has ceased moving, it is deemed stopped (even if it is occupied). If your vehicle is parked in a No Stopping zone, it is at risk of being towed.
Even if it’s legal to park when you release the car, you can’t release a car in a time-restricted spot
Other guidelines to follow
- Do not end your trip at a parking meter/paid parking zone, or in a municipal lot.
- Do not end your trip in a tow-away zone, on private property, in front of a driveway/laneway, or in a fire route.
- Park 3m away from fire hydrants, and 9m away from intersections.
- Do not end your trip on a Through Street – please consult the list below.
List of Through Streets in the FLEX Zone by Ward & Neighbourhood
Ward 1
Westdale (west of Hwy 403)
King St. W.
Sterling St.
Longwood Rd. S.
Paradise Rd. S.
Strathcona & Kirkendall (Hwy 403 to Queen St.)
Dundurn St. N. and S.
Locke St. S.
Queen St. N. and S.
York Blvd.
Ward 2
North End (north of the railway)
James St. N. south of Strachan
John St. N. south of Simcoe
Central & Durand (Queen St. to James St.)
Queen St. N. and S.
Bay St. N. and S. north of Aberdeen
James St. N. and S.
Hess St. S. north of Hunter
Caroline St. S. north of Hunter
Hunter St. W.
Charlton Ave. W.
Herkimer St.
Beasley & Corktown (James St. to Wellington St.)
James St. N. and S.
John St. N. and S. north of Charlton, and except between Robert and Barton
Wellington St. N. and S. north of Jackson
Barton St. E.
Cannon St. E.
Wilson St.
King William St.
Young St. except between John and Ferguson
Ward 3
Landsdale & Stinson (Wellington St. to Wentworth St.)
Wellington St. N. and S. north of Jackson
Victoria Ave. N. and S.
Wentworth St. N. and S.
Cannon St. E.
Wilson St.
Stinson St.
Young St.
Gibson & St. Clair (Wentworth St. to Sherman Ave.)
Wentworth St. N. and S.
Sanford Ave. N. and S. north of Main
Sherman Ave. N. and S. north of Delaware
Wilson St.
Delaware Ave.
Stipley & Blakeley (Sherman Ave. to Gage Ave.)
Sherman Ave. N. and S. north of Delaware
Cannon St. E. east of Lottridge
It is your responsibility to ensure that you are informed of Communauto parking rules.
Please follow regular parking rules and by-laws if you are outside the FLEX Zone. You are responsible for all costs and processing fees associated with failing to follow the parking rules.