O. Reg. 217/25: RESTRICTED TOWING ZONES, Filed September 17, 2025 under Towing and Storage Safety and Enforcement Act, 2021, S.O. 2021, c. 26, Sched. 3
ontario regulation 217/25
made under the
Towing and Storage Safety and Enforcement Act, 2021
Made: August 14, 2025
Filed: September 17, 2025
Published on e-Laws: September 17, 2025
Published in The Ontario Gazette: October 4, 2025
Restricted Towing Zones
Restricted towing zones
1. (1) The following highways or parts of highways are designated as restricted towing zones in each direction of travel:
1. Highway 401 from Highway 400 to Highway 404.
2. Highway 401 from Highway 404 to Morningside Avenue.
3. Highway 404 from Highway 401 to Major Mackenzie Drive.
4. Highway 401 from Morningside Avenue to Highway 412.
5. Highway 401 from Dixie Road to James Snow Parkway.
6. Highway 401 from James Snow Parkway to Highway 6 South.
7. Highway 410 from Highway 401 to Hurontario Street.
8. Highway 403 from the QEW to Highway 401.
9. Highway 400 from Highway 401 to Highway 9.
10. Highway 401 from Dixie Road to Islington Avenue.
11. Highway 401 from Islington Avenue to Highway 400.
12. Highway 409 from Highway 427 to Highway 401.
13. Highway 427 from Highway 409 to the QEW.
14. Highway 427 from Highway 409 to Major Mackenzie Drive.
15. QEW from Highway 427 to Third Line.
16. Highway 403 from Third Line to Highway 6 North.
17. QEW from Highway 403 to Fifty Road.
(2) A restricted towing zone referred to in subsection (1) includes all ramps to and from a highway or part of a highway designated in that subsection, other than ramps to and from the private toll highway known as Highway 407, but does not include any ONRoute rest stop, truck inspection station or carpool lot.
Signs
2. (1) An overhead sign or a ground mounted sign may be erected on a highway or part of a highway that is a restricted towing zone indicating that it is a restricted towing zone.
(2) If a ground mounted sign referred to in subsection (1) is erected, it shall have the dimensions and bear the markings as illustrated in the following figure:
Text alternative: Illustration of “restricted towing zone” sign. The top portion of the sign contains the symbol of a tow truck. The symbol is in black on a white retro-reflective background. The bottom portion of the sign contains the words “AUTHORIZED TOWING ONLY” in black text on a white retro-reflective background. The following measurements are written below the sign: (90 × 120) cm. The sign is surrounded by measurements of its different elements. This text alternative is provided for convenience only and does not form part of the official law.
(3) Despite subsection (2), a ground mounted sign referred to in subsection (1) that has the dimensions and bears the markings as illustrated in the following figure may be erected on a highway or part of a highway that is designated under section 1 as a restricted towing zone in an area designated in the Schedule to the French Language Services Act:
Text alternative: Illustration of “restricted towing zone” sign. The top portion of the sign contains the symbol of a tow truck. The symbol is in black on a white retro-reflective background. The bottom portion of the sign contains the words “AUTHORIZED TOWING ONLY / DÉPANNAGE AUTORISÉ SEULEMENT” in black text on a white retro-reflective background. The following measurements are written below the sign: (90 × 180) cm. The sign is surrounded by measurements of its different elements. This text alternative is provided for convenience only and does not form part of the official law.
(4) An overhead sign or a ground mounted sign may be erected at the beginning of a restricted towing zone.
(5) If a ground mounted sign referred to in subsection (4) is erected, it shall have the dimensions and bear the markings as illustrated in the following figure:
Text alternative: Illustration of “restricted towing zone” sign. The top portion of the sign contains the symbol of a tow truck. The symbol is in black on a white retro-reflective background. The middle portion of the sign contains the words “AUTHORIZED TOWING ONLY” in black text on a white retro-reflective background. The bottom portion of the sign contains the words “BEGINS” in white text on a black background. The following measurements are written below the sign: (183 × 244) cm. The sign is surrounded by measurements of its different elements. This text alternative is provided for convenience only and does not form part of the official law.
(6) Despite subsection (5), a ground mounted sign referred to in subsection (4) that has the dimensions and bears the markings as illustrated in the following figure may be erected at the beginning of a restricted towing zone in an area designated in the Schedule to the French Language Services Act:
Text alternative: Illustration of “restricted towing zone” sign. The top portion of the sign contains the symbol of a tow truck. The symbol is in black on a white retro-reflective background. The middle portion of the sign contains the words “AUTHORIZED TOWING ONLY / DÉPANNAGE AUTORISÉ SEULEMENT” in black text on a white retro-reflective background. The bottom portion of the sign contains the words “BEGINS / DÉBUT” in white text on a black background. The following measurements are written below the sign: (183 × 244) cm. The sign is surrounded by measurements of its different elements. This text alternative is provided for convenience only and does not form part of the official law.
(7) An overhead sign or a ground mounted sign may be erected at the end of a restricted towing zone.
(8) If a ground mounted sign referred to in subsection (7) is erected, it shall have the dimensions and bear the markings as illustrated in the following figure:
Text alternative: Illustration of “restricted towing zone” sign. The top portion of the sign contains the symbol of a tow truck. The symbol is in black on a white retro-reflective background. The middle portion of the sign contains the words “AUTHORIZED TOWING ONLY” in black text on a white retro-reflective background. The bottom portion of the sign contains the words “ENDS” in white text on a black background. The following measurements are written below the sign: (183 × 244) cm. The sign is surrounded by measurements of its different elements. This text alternative is provided for convenience only and does not form part of the official law.
(9) Despite subsection (8), a ground mounted sign referred to in subsection (7) that has the dimensions and bears the markings as illustrated in the following figure may be erected at the end of a restricted towing zone in an area designated in the Schedule to the French Language Services Act:
Text alternative: Illustration of “restricted towing zone” sign. The top portion of the sign contains the symbol of a tow truck. The symbol is in black on a white retro-reflective background. The middle portion of the sign contains the words “AUTHORIZED TOWING ONLY / DÉPANNAGE AUTORISÉ SEULEMENT” in black text on a white retro-reflective background. The bottom portion of the sign contains the words “ENDS / FIN” in white text on a black background. The following measurements are written below the sign: (183 × 244) cm. The sign is surrounded by measurements of its different elements. This text alternative is provided for convenience only and does not form part of the official law.
(10) The dimensions of a sign may be greater than the dimensions prescribed and illustrated in this section so long as each dimension is increased and, when increased, has the same relation to the other dimensions of the sign as the dimensions prescribed and illustrated in this Regulation have to each other.
(11) Where a sign is erected, it shall be placed so as to be visible at all times to the traffic approaching the sign.
(12) Where a bridge, ramp or structure is located at the beginning or end of a restricted towing zone, the signs erected at the beginning or end of a restricted towing zone may be placed as close as practicable to the beginning or end of the restricted towing zone, subject to subsection (11).
Commencement
3. This Regulation comes into force on the latest of the following days:
1. April 1, 2026.
2. The day section 4 of Schedule 5 to the Reducing Gridlock, Saving You Time Act, 2024 comes into force.
3. The day this Regulation is filed.
Le ministre des Transports,
Prabmeet Singh Sarkaria
Minister of Transportation
Date made: August 14, 2025
Pris le : 14 août 2025
CORRECTION
This Regulation, as previously published on e-Laws, contained the following publication error:
The French version of the Regulation was omitted and the Regulation was shown as being made in English only. In fact, the Regulation was made in English and French.
This error was corrected on September 19, 2025.
