Idling

The City of Burlington has an Idling Control Bylaw that limits unnecessary idling to one minute. Please turn off your engine when you are waiting in your vehicle at schools, transit terminals, shopping malls or other locations in our community. You'll save fuel and reduce your impact on the environment.

Report excessive idling

You can report excessive idling from Monday to Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. by calling Parking Services at 905-335-7777 or by sending an email. If you want to report idling after hours, contact Halton Regional Police's non-emergency line at 905-825-4777 and ask for dispatch.

For any unnecessary idling, officers need to observe the idling for one minute as per the Idling Control Bylaw (By-law 016-2026).

Idling signs

You can purchase an idling sign for your business or school by emailing Environmental Sustainability staff or by calling 905-335-7777.

Signs measure 12 by 18 inches (30 by 45 cm) and cost $30.65 plus HST. You can pick up your sign at City Hall to avoid shipping charges. Please note that signs state “Burlington Bylaw as amended” at the bottom right of the sign.

School campaign resources

We provide resources to schools for their idling awareness campaigns. These campaigns remind parents and caregivers to turn their engines off while waiting to pick up their children.

Email Environmental Sustainability staff or call us at 905-335-7777, to request idling awareness resources, including:

• Banners (approximately 12 by 3 feet, two-week loan)
• Bookmarks
• Posters
• Stickers

Idling blog posts

Check out some idling awareness blog posts on Take Action Burlington:

• A back-to-school reminder for drivers
• Back to school eco-friendly tips
• Idling bylaw still in effect
• Idling gets you nowhere. Turn your engines off!

Idling tickets issued

View the number of idling tickets and warnings we have issues over the years.