How to Fight a Duplicate Parking Ticket in Ottawa

How to Fight a Duplicate Parking Ticket in Ottawa

A duplicate parking ticket in Ottawa is a municipal parking penalty with 0 demerit points; the dispute deadline is typically 15 days, but you should confirm the date on your notice. Receiving two tickets for the same parking incident can be frustrating, but it is usually a simple administrative error. This guide explains what a duplicate parking ticket means, what evidence you need, and how BeatMyTicket.ca can help you prepare a clear dispute package.

If you have been issued a second parking ticket for the same vehicle, same location, and same time period in Ottawa, you are likely dealing with a duplicate. The City of Ottawa’s Administrative Penalty System (APS) treats parking tickets as monetary penalties, not moving offences. That means no demerit points, no insurance marks, and no direct impact on your driving record. However, unpaid duplicates can still lead to collection actions or registration holds if left unresolved. Your first step should be to carefully compare the two tickets: look at the date, time, location, infraction code, and licence plate. If everything matches except the ticket number, you have a strong case for cancellation.

Dispute Deadline in Ottawa

Ottawa parking ticket disputes must be filed within 15 days from the date the first notice was issued. This deadline applies to both screening reviews and hearing requests. If the duplicate ticket arrived days or weeks after the original, the clock usually starts from the date of the *first* ticket. Check the “Date of Issuance” on each notice and count forward. If you miss the 15‑day window, you may lose your chance to dispute the duplicate. For details and official deadlines, visit the City of Ottawa APS portal or consult the Ottawa fight page for step‑by‑step guidance.

Before You Pay

Paying a duplicate ticket may be tempting to avoid hassle, but it often closes the dispute option. In Ottawa, once a payment is processed, the penalty is considered resolved, and you generally cannot request a review. If you suspect a duplicate, do not pay until you confirm both tickets are legitimate. Compare the two notices carefully and, if they are identical except for the ticket number, file a dispute first. Paying later after a failed dispute is always an option—but you cannot undo payment to reclaim the money.

What Evidence Helps

Gathering the right evidence is the most effective way to prove a duplicate. Here is a checklist of items that support your case:

• Both ticket copies – Keep the original and the duplicate. Note any differences in date, time, or location.
• Payment receipt – If you paid the first ticket before the second arrived, provide proof of payment.
• Parking receipts or permits – Show you had valid parking at the time (e.g., pay‑and‑display, monthly permit, visitor pass).
• Timestamped photos – Photographs of your vehicle parked legally, or of the area showing no signage changes, can help.
• City records – Check your vehicle’s history on the Ottawa APS portal to see if a duplicate was already flagged.

Organising this evidence in a clear timeline makes your dispute easier for the screening reviewer to understand.

Common Defences / Arguments

When disputing a duplicate parking ticket in Ottawa, the strongest argument is that the second ticket is an administrative error—the city issued two penalties for one parking event. You can argue:

• Duplicate by error of the officer or system – A manual or electronic slip‑up may have generated a second ticket. Provide the ticket numbers and ask for a cross‑check. This defence is strongest when both tickets have identical details.
• Payment already made for the same occurrence – If you paid the first ticket before the second arrived, include a receipt or bank statement. The city will typically cancel the duplicate once payment is confirmed.
• Confusion with a similar vehicle – If the licence plate number is close but not exact (e.g., ABC‑123 vs. ABC‑124), point out the mismatch. This is less common but can happen with manual entry.
• Signage or time‑limit change between tickets – If the duplicate was issued at a later time but the parking session was still valid, provide a receipt or permit that covers both time windows.

Each defence requires evidence. A simple “I already got one” without proof is not enough. BeatMyTicket.ca helps you structure your evidence into a professional dispute letter. Remember, the goal is to show the city that issuing a second ticket was not justified.

What Not To Say

Avoid arguments that weaken your case. Do not claim you “didn’t see the sign” or “only parked for five minutes”—those excuses work against you. Also, do not argue that the officer was rude or that the fine is too high; the review process focuses on facts and law, not opinions. Stick to concrete evidence: ticket numbers, payment records, and time‑stamped documentation. If you rely on a weak excuse, the reviewer may deny the dispute entirely.

Step‑by‑Step Dispute Process

Follow these steps to fight a duplicate parking ticket in Ottawa:

1. Check the deadline – Find the date of issuance on both tickets. Count 15 calendar days from the date of the first ticket.
2. Collect your evidence – Gather both tickets, any payment records, parking receipts, and photos.
3. Draft a clear explanation – Write a short statement explaining why the second ticket is a duplicate. Keep it factual.
4. Submit a screening review – Use the City of Ottawa’s APS online portal or mail in your form. You can request a screening review to have a city reviewer examine your evidence.
5. Await the decision – The reviewer will notify you of their decision. If the duplicate is confirmed, the second ticket is typically cancelled.
6. If denied, consider a hearing – If the screening review rejects your dispute, you may be able to request a hearing review. Check the city’s rules for next steps.

For a guided process, visit the Ottawa fight page to see how BeatMyTicket.ca can help you assemble your package.

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Related Articles

• Parking Ticket Evidence Checklist
• How to Dispute a Duplicate Parking Ticket *(correcting original slug)*

*Note: The slug provided in the data was "duplicate-parking-ticket-parking-ticket". We have kept it as given for internal consistency.*