| What is a penalty notice? |
| A penalty notice is a fine issued within the Town of Halton Hills by a municipal law enforcement officer. |
| Why did Halton Hills implement the Administrative Monetary Penalty System (AMPS) program? |
| The Administrative Penalties System (AMPS) was introduced to ease the burden on the Provincial Offences Court system by streamlining the process and enabling municipalities such as the Town of Halton Hills to resolve by-law violations internally. In contrast, AMPS allows these matters to be addressed within weeks, providing a more efficient and accessible resolution process. |
| How is a penalty notice issued? |
A municipal law enforcement officer can issue a penalty notice for a variety of violations by:
- Affixing it to the vehicle (parking)
- Serving it personally at the time of the violation
- Email
- Registered/regular mail
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| I don't agree with the penalty notice I've received, can I dispute it? |
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Yes. To dispute a penalty notice, complete the online form and tell us why you think the penalty is invalid, why any fees should be cancelled or reduced, and/or why you need more time to pay the penalty notice. You will have the opportunity to provide evidence such as photographs to support your claims.
Note: Disputed penalty notices for parking penalties are subject to an automatic $10 MTO search fee upon request of review. This additional fee will be applied to your administrative penalty and is due 15 days following the delivery of the screen decision.
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| How much time do I have to dispute my penalty notice? |
| If you believe you have received a penalty notice in error or have special circumstances, you have 15 days from the date you received your penalty notice to request a review online. |
| What if I missed the deadline to schedule a screening review? |
| The Screening Officer may only extend the time to request a review of a penalty notice of an administrative penalty where the recipient demonstrates on a balance of probabilities the existence of extenuating circumstances that warrant the extension of time. For more information, email Enforcement Services or call 905-873-2600 ext. 2330 or 3030. |
| What happens if I don’t attend my hearing review? |
| If you miss your scheduled appointment, the penalty notice will be upheld. An additional fee of $100 will be charged for a missed hearing appointment. |
| What if I am not satisfied with the Screening Officer’s decision? |
| If the matter remains in dispute after the Screening Officer’s review, you may request a further review by a Hearing Officer. This request must be submitted prior to the payment due date indicated on your screening decision. Please note that the Hearing Officer’s decision is final. |
| Can someone else act on my behalf during a screening review or hearing review appointment? |
Yes. You will need to authorize someone to act as your representative during a screening review or hearing review appointment. Please complete the Authorization to Act as an Agent form and submit to Enforcement Services prior to the scheduled appointment.
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| What will happen if I ignore the penalty notice? |
| If you do not choose one of the options listed on the back of your penalty notice, the Town of Halton Hills will consider the matter undisputed. In such cases, additional fees will apply. Additionally, if the penalty notice and any administrative fees remain unpaid, in the case of a parking penalty or ASE penalty order, a notice of default will be sent to the Ministry of Transportation which will result in your Ontario Vehicle Permit renewal being denied. In the case of a non-parking penalty, any outstanding fees will be added to the property tax roll, referred to a collection agency or result in legal action taken against the individual or corporation listed on the penalty notice. |
| My penalty notice is past due notice, now what? |
| If your penalty notice is past due, it indicates that payment has not been received by the Town of Halton Hills, or a screening review appointment was not requested within the required timeframe. As a result, you are no longer eligible to request a screening review. Immediate action is required to avoid further administrative fees. For assistance or additional information, please email Enforcement Services or call 905-873-2600 ext. 2330 or 3030 |
