Penalty Notice Dispute Resolution

Dispute a Penalty Notice

If you receive a penalty notice (ticket), you have two options:

1. Pay the penalty notice amount within 30 days by mail, on the phone or online.

2. Book a screening to dispute the penalty notice within 15 days of receiving the penalty notice.

To appoint someone to act on your behalf, complete the Agent authorization form (PDF). An authorized agent can request and/or attend a screening or hearing on your behalf, and/or dispute your penalty notice online.

How to Dispute Your Penalty Notice Online

1. Within 15 days of receiving your penalty notice, log on to the Administrative Monetary Penalty Screening Program . 

2. Complete the online form and upload any supporting documents or photos. You will need the Penalty Notice Number to complete the form. If you are not the registered vehicle owner, you will need a letter of authorization to dispute on the owner’s behalf.

The Screening Officer will review your online submission and either affirm, adjust or cancel the penalty fees based on the parameters outlined in the Administrative Monetary Penalties By-law (PDF).

You will receive the outcome of your dispute by email from parking.permit@vaughan.ca or bylaw@vaughan.ca within 15 business days. Check your junk mail folder to ensure you receive your response.

How to Dispute Your Penalty Notice by Phone

1. Within 15 days of receiving your penalty notice, email parking.permit@vaughan.ca or call 905-832-2281 to request a screenings appointment. If you are not the registered vehicle owner, indicate so and provide a letter of authorization to dispute on the owner’s behalf, by delivering to City Hall, or by email to parking.permit@vaughan.ca

2. Be available to conduct your screening appointment five minutes before the scheduled time. The Screening Officer will call you at the number you provided at the time of booking the appointment.

3. During the appointment, you will have the opportunity to explain why you believe the violation or fee should be cancelled or reduced. 

The Screening Officer will discuss and either affirm, adjust or cancel the penalty fees based on the parameters outlined in the Administrative Monetary Penalties By-law (PDF).

If you do not contact the City, either by phone, email or submitting a dispute form online, within 15 days of receiving the penalty notice, then penalty notice will become due and payable.

More Information on Disputing a Penalty Notice

Rescheduling a screening review

• If you need to change your screening date or time, contacting the By-Law and Compliance, Licensing and Permit Services department by phone or e-mail no less than 24 hours in advanced of the scheduled screening appointment by.

• If you do not attend your in-person Screening Review, you will be responsible for a failure to appear fee, in addition to the parking penalty. You will also not be eligible for a further review or appeal of the parking violation notice.

Paying a reduced penalty

• If the amount of your penalty notice is reduced and if you accept the reduction, the Screening Officer will provide you with the time frame you must pay the amount. 

• Failure to pay by the time indicated by the Screening Officer will result in the penalty reverting back to the original amount. 

• Late fees may apply 15 days after the due date if the amount has not been paid.

If you do not agree with a screening decision

• If you do not agree with the decision of the Screening Officer, you may book a hearing to appeal the decision. 

• To do so, advise the Screening Officer and they will provide instructions on how to book your appointment. 

• If the Screening Officer reduces the fee and you decide to appeal the matter, the Hearings Officer may affirm the original fine, amend it or cancel, at their discretion.

Request an extension due to extenuating circumstances

• If there are extenuating circumstances that prevented you from requesting a dispute within 15 days of the day the ticket was served, then you have an additional 15 days to request an extension to ask for a screening to dispute your ticket. For example, if a ticket was served on Jan. 1 and you did not request a dispute by Jan. 16, then you have until Jan. 31 to request an extension to ask for a screening to dispute your ticket. An extension will only be granted if there are extenuating circumstances. 

• To request more time to dispute a ticket or decision from a screening, complete the online request or complete the PDF form (PDF) and submit it:
  • by email to bylaw@vaughan.ca.

  • in-person at the By-law and Compliance, Licensing and Permit Services counter at Vaughan City Hall.

  • by mail to By-law and Compliance, Licensing and Permit Services, Vaughan City Hall, 2141 Major Mackenzie Dr., Vaughan, ON L6A 1T1 

• Once you submit the form, a City staff member will follow up with you within five business days to confirm whether more time will be given. If you have not heard from the City within five business days, please contact us at 905-832-2281 or bylaw@vaughan.ca.