Starting in 2025, the maximum idling times for vehicles in Ottawa are changing to help make Ottawa’s air cleaner. Idling times for vehicles on public and private property are set in the City’s Idling Control By-law. Earlier this fall, City Council approved the following by-law changes to take effect on Wednesday, January 1, 2025:
- Maximum idling time will be three minutes per hour when the outside temperature is between 0 C and 27 C for occupied vehicles.
- Maximum idling time will be 10 minutes per hour when the outside temperature is colder than 0 C or warmer than 27 C for occupied vehicles.
- For unoccupied vehicles, the maximum idling time limit is one minute per hour, regardless of the temperature.
Exceptions continue to exist for certain vehicles and situations. For details, please visit ottawa.ca.
