Playing Sports on Town Streets

The Town of Oakville has passed updated regulations allowing certain sports to be played on residential roads.

The decision follows a resolution to partially lift the previous general prohibition on playing sports in streets and allow certain sports on designated roads at specific times. To support implementation of this direction, staff conducted extensive public engagement that included a Town-wide survey and in-person kiosks. A review of best practices through two jurisdictional scans was also completed, focusing on how other municipalities manage and enforce similar activities.

New regulations, approved by Council on July 7, 2025, allow play under specific conditions to support community enjoyment while maintaining safety.

Under the updated rules:

• Ball hockey and basketball are now allowed on local residential roads, excluding bus routes. Local roads are identified on the Town of Oakville Road Classification map (pdf).
• Sports play will be allowed between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. from May to October, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from November to April.
• To support safety, approved playtimes reflect daylight hours and equipment must be removed to ensure the safe passage of vehicles. After play, all equipment must be returned to private property.

This new approach reflects public support for outdoor play, as recorded in a Town survey in which 84 per cent of 850 respondents supported allowing sports on Town roads, and ball hockey and basketball emerged as the most popular options.

The new rules will be enforced through a complaint-driven process. Requests for enforcement may be submitted online or by phone through ServiceOakville, 905-845-6601.

For the full report to council, please refer to the July 7, 2025 Council Report, and the results from the public engagement and jurisdictional scan.

To see the regulations related to sports activities on town streets, please refer to the Traffic Control By-law Part II, Section 4, (2) (c).

Council decision on sports activities on Town roads:

• Sports Activities and Equipment within Municipal Rights-of-Way Council Report - September 16, 2024
• Council Meeting Minutes - September 16, 2024