The Administrative Penalty System (APS) is a streamlined, local process that replaces the traditional court system for dealing with violations of certain Town bylaws covered under the APS bylaw, such as parking tickets. Instead of going through the Provincial Offences Court, APS lets the Town handle these matters directly and more efficiently.

For residents, APS offers several positive impacts:

  • Faster resolution: concerns about penalties can be addressed locally, without long wait times for a court date.
  • More accessible: residents can request a review with a screening or hearing officer right here in Orangeville, making the process less intimidating and easier to navigate. These are completed virtually, and on special requests, in person.
  • Fair and transparent: every resident has the opportunity to explain their circumstances and have penalties reviewed in a neutral and consistent way.
  • Cost savings: by reducing reliance on the court system, APS helps save taxpayer dollars while still ensuring fairness and accountability.

In short, APS makes bylaw enforcement quicker, fairer and more convenient for everyone in the community.

What's the difference between a ticket and a penalty notice?

Although they may look similar, a ticket and a penalty notice are handled in different ways. Under APS, because the process for handling certain violations has changed, so has the terminology. Here's how to tell the difference:

  • Ticket: issued under the Provincial Offences Act, a ticket is a formal charge that must be handled in court.
  • Penalty notice: a penalty notice looks like a ticket, but is not a charge or a court matter—it's an administrative penalty under the Town's bylaws managed by the Town of Orangeville.

Paying a penalty notice

Pay online 

When making a payment on our online payment portal, please make sure to choose the "other receivables" option before filling out the form.

Make a payment

Pay in person 

Penalty notices can be paid in person during regular Town Hall office hours. Methods of payment include:

  • cash
  • debit
  • cheque

Orangeville's Town Hall is located at 87 Broadway. 

Regular office hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Summer and holiday hours may differ. 

*Please note, credit cards are not accepted.

Pay by cheque

To pay by cheque, your penalty notice payment must be made out to the Town of Orangeville.

Your cheque needs to be mailed to:

Town of Orangeville
87 Broadway
Orangeville, ON
L9W 1K1 

Disputing a penalty notice

Screening review 

A screening review is a meeting with a screening officer. They will decide whether the penalty still applies as issued, is reduced, or cancelled. This process is done without court involvement.

If you do not attend your screening review, there will be an additional $50 fee.

Request a screening review

Hearing appeal 

A hearing appeal is a formal meeting where you can challenge a penalty decision after a screening review. A hearing officer listens to both sides and makes a final decision on whether to keep, change, or cancel the penalty.

If the Hearing Officer agrees with the Screening Officer's decision, you may be required to pay an additional fee of $200. This is added to your total amount due. 

If you do not attend your hearing review, there will be an additional $100 fee.

Request a hearing appeal

Requesting a time extension 

A request for an extension of time lets you ask for more time to pay or respond to a penalty if you meet certain criteria. You have to apply within a specific period, and the municipality decides if they will give you extra time.

Request an extension of time

Authorizing a person to act on your behalf

A person authorized to act for you is someone you have chosen to handle your penalty case. This must be done through an official designation process by submitting the proper request. The Town can then allow them to proceed. This person can attend meetings and make decisions for you.

Authorize someone to act on your behalf

Frequently asked questions

How is a penalty notice issued? 

A municipal law enforcement officer/bylaw officer can issue a penalty notice by:

  • personally delivering it to the person to whom it is addressed
  • leaving/posting it at the property
  • fax
  • email
  • regular or registered mail
  • placing it on a vehicle in a conspicuous area

What if I disagree with a penalty notice?

If you disagree with a penalty notice, you may file a dispute. To do this, you can request a screening review within 30 days of the notice's issue date. You will have the opportunity to provide evidence, such as photographs, to support your claims.

A screening officer may:

  • keep the penalty notice, including any administrative fee(s)
  • cancel or reduce the penalty notice, including any administrative fee(s)
  • extend the time for payment of the penalty notice, including any administrative fee(s) 

What if I'm not satisfied with a decision? 

If you still disagree with the penalty notice after the screening review, you can request a review hearing. The hearing request must be submitted within 30 days of the screening decision date.

At a hearing appeal, the hearing officer could:

  • keep the Administrative Penalty, including any administrative fee(s)
  • cancel or reduce the Administrative Monetary Penalty, including any administrative fee(s)
  • extend the time for payment of the Administrative Monetary Penalty, including any administrative fee(s) 

The hearing officer is not required to make the same decision as the screening officer.  

If the hearing officer agrees with the screening officer's decision, you will be required to pay an additional fee of $200. This is added to your total amount due.

If you do not attend your hearing review, you will be charged a fee of $100. 

A hearing officer's decision is final.

What happens if I ignore my penalty notice? 

Ignoring your penalty notice can:

  • lead to additional administrative fees
  • prevent you from being able to request a screening review

If you do not file an appeal request or pay your penalty notice:

  • after 30 days: a late payment notice will be issued, and additional fees may apply:
  • after 60 days: the amount owing, including any applicable fees, will be added to the property owner's tax roll and collected as municipal property taxes 
    • for non-residents, the Town may pursue other available collection options

If your penalty notice is related to a vehicle, it could mean that your licence plate renewal may be denied, and additional costs may be owed to the Province of Ontario. 

We highly recommend either paying your notice or requesting an appeal as early as possible to avoid any extra fees. 

Why would additional fees apply? 

There are specific fees that could be applied based on the type of penalty notice, what extra resources might be required for a dispute or late and no-show penalties. These include:

Additional fees - Administrative penalty notices
DescriptionFee
Late payment - parking $25.00
Late payment - non-parking penalty notice 25% of penalty notice
MTO search $12.00
Plate denial $30.00
Screening non-appearance $50.00
Hearing non-appearance $100.00
Hearing decision upheld $200.00
Title search $82.00
Corporate search $30.00
NSF cheque $45.00

 

What is financial hardship or undue hardship? 
Financial hardship

Financial hardship means being in a situation where paying an administrative penalty or administrative fee would cause serious difficulty. Examples include personal financial circumstances, such as low income, unexpected expenses or limited resources.

Undue hardship

Undue hardship means a situation where paying an Administrative Penalty or Administrative Fee would cause serious difficulty due to financial hardship or other compassionate circumstances, such as illness, family emergencies or loss of income.

Documents to support financial hardship

If you are requesting relief from an administrative penalty or administrative fee due to financial hardship, you must bring documents to your screening review or hearing review that show your financial situation.

Examples of documents that may help support your request include:

  • Old Age Security (OAS)

  • Canada Pension Plan (CPP)

  • Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS)

  • disability or disability pension benefits

  • Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP)

  • any other form of social assistance or income support

You may also bring any other documents that show your income, expenses or financial circumstances. 

What are the related policies?