New by-law prohibits parking boots and similar locking devices without vehicle owner’s consent

By-law is in effect June 16 and covers municipal lands and private property

Oakville Town Council has approved a new by-law in response to calls from the community about the increased use of parking boots and similar devices that lock vehicles in place without the vehicle owner’s consent. The Immobilization Prohibition By-law 2025-097 will come into effect on June 16, 2025.

The use of parking boots and similar devices, such as wheel locks, wheel clamps, or “barnacles,” with the intent to keep unauthorized vehicles in place without the vehicle owner’s consent will be prohibited in Oakville. The new by-law affects all vehicles parked on municipal lands and private property.

The term “without the vehicle owner’s consent” is included in the by-law to differentiate from cases where vehicle owners might use these types of devices to prevent theft. Municipal Enforcement Services (MES) will investigate complaints from vehicle owners where parking boots, or similar locking devices, have been installed in violation of the new by-law.

Under By-law 2025-097:

• Any common-law right there may be in Oakville to use a parking boot or similar device that locks vehicles in place without the vehicle owner’s consent is overridden by this by-law;
• Failure to comply with the by-law may result in an order and/or a $400 penalty being issued by a Mobile Compliance Officer (MCO), or the Director of Municipal Enforcement Services or their designate. The cost of the penalty increases for repeat offences within a two-year period – $500 for a second offence and $750 for a third and every subsequent offence. 
• An individual who has been issued a penalty under this by-law may request a review by a Screening Officer, and, if not satisfied, a hearing before a Hearing Officer.

Staff in MES and the Legal Department met with the Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) to discuss the proposed by-law. HRPS has expressed its support of the town’s plan to prohibit the use of parking boots, and similar devices, without the vehicle owner’s consent.

Quote

“This new by-law reflects what we’ve heard from our community in response to the use of parking boots on vehicles. Council and staff are taking action to protect our community from unfair booting practices in Oakville.”

– Mayor Rob Burton

Background

• On December 16, 2024, Town Council approved a new by-law to help address issues of predatory and fraudulent towing of vehicles without the vehicle owner’s consent in Oakville. The Towing Without the Vehicle Owner’s Consent By-law 2024-187 went into effect on February 28, 2025 and is intended to better regulate towing in Oakville.
• The cities of Toronto, Moncton, and Saskatoon, the Halifax Regional Municipality, and Carleton University, Trent University, Brock University and the University of Saskatchewan all have by-laws or policies that either prohibit or regulate the use of parking boots, and similar devices.