You asked, we answered

Have a question about a service in Vaughan? Want to know more about a City program? The Service Vaughan team is standing by ready to respond to your inquiries. The City of Vaughan’s contact centre can be reached by phone at 905-832-2281 (toll free at 1-844-832-2112), email at service@vaughan.ca, online at vaughan.ca/ServiceVaughan or in person at Vaughan City Hall (2141 Major Mackenzie Dr.).

Every month, the City releases a series called ‘You Asked, We Answered,’ where common questions received and responded to by Service Vaughan are highlighted. 

Below are the top five inquiries from August:

1. How can I report a sick, injured or dead animal?

As recommended by the Public Health Agency of Canada, members of the public should not handle sick, injured or dead wild birds or other wildlife, as they may be infected with diseases that can spread to humans.

City of Vaughan Animal Services Officers are available 24-7 to respond to calls about sick or injured wildlife. If you see a sick or injured wild animal, report it as soon as possible by:  

• calling 905-832-2281, Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. If you’re calling after hours, press “0” to reach the after-hours dispatch team. Officers are available 24-7 to respond to calls about sick or injured wildlife.
• emailing animal.services@vaughan.ca.

For more information, visit vaughan.ca/AnimalServices. 

2. After I submit a tree maintenance service request (e.g. tree pruning or stump removal), how long will it take for City staff to visit the site?

It depends on the situation. Requests for urgent maintenance services that pose a danger to the public – such as a fallen tree – are dealt with as soon as possible. Non-emergency requests that follow our pruning schedule will be addressed accordingly, while all other requests will be managed in priority sequence, following an inspection. Once a service request is created, a forestry inspector will visit the site within 30 business days to examine the tree's condition and determine the next steps. Please note: it can take up to eight months for a tree to be pruned or removed, and an additional 12 months for a tree stump to be removed.

3. When is my tax bill due and how can I pay it?

The 2025 final tax bill for residential and non-residential properties was mailed to all property owners in June. The third and final instalment due date is Friday, Sept. 26.

If you did not receive your tax bill in the mail, contact the City immediately by phone at 905-832-2281 or by email at service@vaughan.ca. Failure to receive a tax bill does not exempt you from paying property taxes – late payment penalties will be added.

As all City facilities are cashless, here’s how you can pay interim property tax bills:

• Pre-authorized payment plans, including a six-instalment and a 10-instalment option.
• Post-dated cheques made payable to the City of Vaughan that correspond with the amount and due dates printed on the tax stubs.
• Financial institutions, either in person, through the bank machine, online or via telephone.
• At Vaughan City Hall, placed in marked drop-off boxes at each entrance.
• By mail, with a cheque payable to the City of Vaughan and send in the return envelope enclosed with the tax bill.

To learn more about each payment option, visit vaughan.ca/PropertyTax.

4. How can I register my kids for fall recreation programs?

Registration for fall recreation programs, swim lessons and aquatic leadership courses is underway! Programming begins Saturday, Sept. 20 at all community centres, the City Playhouse Theatre and the Vaughan Studios & Event Space. Check out the Fall Recreation eGuide or see the full schedule and register at vaughan.perfectmind.com. 

The online registration system is available 24-7 and features enhanced search filters, allowing you to sort by level, location, day and time. Details can be found at vaughan.ca/recreation. If you require assistance creating an online PerfectMind registration account, call Service Vaughan at 905-832-2281, email rec@vaughan.ca or watch this short informational video.

5. How do I appeal a parking or by-law penalty issued by the City of Vaughan?

Penalty notices are issued for violations of City of Vaughan by-laws, including the parking by-law. Within the prescribed timelines, penalty recipients must either pay or appeal the penalty by requesting a review by a Screening Officer.

Requests for Screening Officer review of a penalty must be received no later than 15 days from the date the penalty notice was served. Recipients can complete an online appeal at vaughan.ca/PenaltyAppeals, or request a telephone appointment to speak to a Screening Officer by calling the City at 905-832-2281 or emailing bylaw@vaughan.ca.

If you are not the registered vehicle owner or the contravener named on the penalty notice, you will need to submit a completed Agent Authorization Form (PDF) to appeal on the owner’s behalf.

If you are not satisfied with the decision of the Screening Officer, you may request a Hearing Review. A request must be made within 15 days following the receipt of the Screening Officer’s decision.

If you have questions about a City matter, call Service Vaughan at 905-832-2281 or visit vaughan.ca. 

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