Quick Facts
- The Town's new Idling Reduction By-law, effective as of June 1, 2024, applies to private and public property.
- Drivers are prohibited from idling their vehicles for more than three minutes under the By-law.
- Non-compliance could result in a $350 fine.
- Enforcement began on June 1, 2024, with reporting options available online, by phone (905-468-3266 ext. 0), or via email (info@notl.com).
- The By-law covers all vehicles and will be enforced by By-law Enforcement Officers, who may also act on community reports.
At the March 19, 2024, Committee of the Whole - General Meeting, the Town passed an Idling Reduction By-law that took effect on June 1, 2024. This initiative aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions produced by idling vehicles, fulfilling a step in the Town’s Climate Change Adaptation Plan.
The Environmental Advisory Committee recommended an update to Idling Control By-Law 3145-97. An idling reduction policy was subsequently adopted as part of the Town’s Fleet Management Plan and is now applied to all Town Staff and contractors. Taking the important step of reducing vehicle emissions Town-wide, Council directed Staff to prepare an Idling Reduction By-Law that meets current environmental protection needs.
In addition to the heavy vehicle traffic serving our vibrant commercial and agricultural communities, the Town is visited by an average of 8,000 buses and up to half a million passenger vehicles annually.
Heavy vehicles are becoming increasingly difficult to control under the Town's existing municipal By-Laws due to obsolete policies and inconsistencies between By-Laws. This problem is particularly acute in Old Town Niagara-on-the-Lake, where there are rising concerns about the incursion of tour buses into residential neighbourhoods and the negative impact idling vehicles have on air quality.
This updated By-law now meets the growing concerns related to greenhouse gas emissions and honours the Town's commitment to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Partners for Climate Protection Program.
