Paid Parking Exemption Program

The Township offers free parking exemptions for eligible residents, tenants, and downtown business owners. Please review the program details and requirements below before applying. All residential property owners and residential tenants in Centre Wellington are eligible to register up to four vehicles per residence at no cost.  Commercial business owners in the Central Business District can register up to 10 non-resident employees.  Tenants and residential property owners in the Central Business District are asked to contact the Municipal Office at 519-846-9691 for support with license plate registration.

Important Information

You will need this to complete your registration.

The current 3-hour downtown parking rules currently remains in effect. The 3 hour parking rule will still apply after the implementation of the paid parking program. 

Please continue to follow time limits and other by-law requirements. If rules aren’t followed, penalties may be issued.

Zone 1:  3-hour parking limit.

Return after 5 hours from your start time

Example:
9:00 AM start → Return after 2:00 PM

Zone 2: Up to 24 hours

Signage will be posted to indicate the Zone. 

Residents park free in both zones once registered, but must follow the posted time limits and other parking regulations to avoid tickets.

If you are a tenant living in the Central Business District, please contact the Municipal Office for help registering your vehicle.

Once you register, you’ll receive an email confirming the status of your exemption request.

The registration system is regularly monitored. Any abuse may result in the revocation of exemption privileges for the associated residence or business.

Who Can Apply

Eligible for up to four parking exemptions. 

Eligible for up to two parking exemptions. 

Eligible for up to ten exemptions for non-resident employees. 

Program Rules & Requirements

The exemption waives parking fees only. All posted time limits remain in effect:

Zone 1: 3-hour limit

Zone 2: 24-hour limit

If you are a Centre Wellington resident, you can park in the paid parking zones more than once per day. However, Zone 1 still has a strict 3-hour maximum, no matter how many times you return.

Zone 1 - Short Stays Only – You can only park for a maximum of 3 hours in a 5-hour window. Switching spots within Zone 1 does not reset the clock.

Zone 2 - All Day Parking.  Residents can park for longer periods in Zone 2, provided it does not extend beyond 24 hours.  Zone 2 does not follow the 3-hour limit.

Exemptions apply only to the vehicle(s) registered. They cannot be shared, transferred, or used by other vehicles.

Applicants must be:

  • A Township resident, or
  • A non-resident employee of a qualifying downtown business. The Township may request proof at any time.

You must notify the Township of any changes to:

  • address
  • vehicle details
  • employment status (non-resident employees)

The Township may suspend, revoke, or permanently ban a participant from the program if:

  • misuse is suspected, or
  • false information is provided.

Exemptions do not reserve or guarantee a parking space in any zone.

Parking and traffic by-laws—including winter restrictions and fire route rules—remain fully in effect.

Application & Processing

All applications are subject to review.

Processing may take up to 2 weeks.

Until approved, you must continue to pay for parking in both Zone 1 and Zone 2.

You will receive an automated email once your exemption has been approved.

Winter Weather Notice

During winter storms, the Township may temporarily suspend parking exemptions.
Vehicles interfering with snow-clearing may be ticketed and/or towed at the owner’s expense.

Township staff will notify the public in advance when snow-clearing events are scheduled. Please monitor Township social media and adhere to any posted signs.

 

Municipal Law Enforcement - General Inquiries
1 MacDonald Square, Elora
Ontario, Canada, N0B 1S0
Phone: 519.846.9691 x 237
Email Us

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