Idling Bylaw - Frequently Asked Questions
QUESTIONS
Can electric cars or hybrid vehicles idle?
What vehicles are exempt from the Idling Bylaw?
ANSWERS
A: City of Kingston Bylaw Enforcement Officers will enforce the Bylaw. Anyone who contravenes the Bylaw is guilty of an offence and may be subject to a fine.
A: No. The Bylaw applies to private and public property.
A: Yes. The Bylaw allows for vehicles to idle up to five minutes when the temperature is below 5 degrees Celsius. This should be sufficient time for your vehicle to warm up.
A: Yes. The Bylaw provides an exemption to vehicles or boats required to remain motionless because of an emergency situation or due to other situations such as traffic, weather conditions or mechanical difficulties over which the driver has no control.
A: Taxis may idle while actively engaged in their operation. This exemption ends on July 1, 2012.
Q: Can electric cars or hybrid vehicles idle?
A: Yes.
Q: What vehicles are exempt from the Idling Bylaw?
A: The following vehicles are exempt from the Idling Bylaw:
- Emergency vehicles and emergency boats while engaged in operational activities, including training activities, except where idling is substantially for the convenience of the operator of the vehicle or boat.
- Vehicles and boats assisting in an emergency activity.
- Vehicles or boats required to remain motionless which is warranted because of an emergency situation or other situations such as traffic, weather conditions or mechanical difficulties over which the driver has no control is exempt.
- Vehicles or boats where idling is required to repair or prepare the vehicle or boat for service.
- Mobile workshops while they are in the course of being used for their basic function.
- Armored vehicles where a person remains inside the vehicle while loading or unloading.
- Vehicles or boats engaged in a parade or race or any other event authorized by City Council.
- Transit vehicles and Tour boats will be permitted to idle for five (5) minutes in a sixty (60) minute period while passengers are embarking or disembarking en route or in a terminal.
- Publicly operated boats to ferry passengers and vehicles on a set route and schedule.
- Agricultural equipment while being operated on agricultural property.
- Vehicles transporting a person who possesses a Doctors certificate stating for medical reasons the environmental surroundings of a person must be maintained at a certain temperature or humidity.
- Hybrid or electric vehicles.
- Taxi vehicles while actively engaged in their operation. This exemption ends on July 1, 2012.
