Parking Penalty Notices

• You can appeal your Parking Penalty Notice by requesting a review of the Parking Penalty Notice by a Screening Officer. Screening Reviews are held via email, virtually, on the phone and in person.
• You can submit a Screening Review Request online by using the Online Portal. If you are unable to submit the request online, please contact us for assistance.
• You have 30 days from the date the Penalty Notice is issued to you to request a Screening Review
• We do not provide language interpreters. If English is not your first language, you are responsible for providing your own interpreter.
• Please include copies of any documents that may assist as evidence. This can include:
  • Photographs
  • Parking permits, including River Access or Accessible parking permit

Stage 2 – Request Review of Screening Officer’s Decision by Hearing Officer

• If you are not satisfied with the decision of the Screening Officer, you can request a review of the Screening Officer’s decision by a Hearing Officer. Hearing Reviews are held virtually on pre-determined dates.
• You can submit a Hearing Review Request online using the Online Portal. If you are unable to submit the request online, please contact us for assistance. Once submitted, you will receive your Hearing date, time and meeting link via email or phone.
• Please include copies of any documents that may assist as evidence. This can include:
  • Photographs
  • Parking permits, including River Access or Accessible parking permit
• If you wish to receive the County’s documents related to your Parking Penalty Notice, which may include officer’s notes or photos, please request disclosure at least 10 days prior to your scheduled Hearing Review date.
• The County is not required to have Municipal Law Enforcement Officers present at the Hearing Review and may rely on certified evidence as set out in the Administrative Penalty System By-law (PDF)
• We do not provide language interpreters. If English is not your first language, you are responsible for providing your own interpreter.
• Please log on using the provided link or phone number a few minutes before your scheduled Hearing time and wait until your matter is called. Be prepared for the Hearing Review process to take some time.
• The Hearing will be held before a Hearing Officer. The County will be asked to present its case first, after which you can present any evidence.

If you fail to appear on the date and time of your Hearing Review, you will be charged an administration fee of $50

Please have your Parking Penalty Notice with you when you pay:

• Pay Online
• In person: Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm at: 66 Grand River St. N. Paris, or 26 Park Avenue, Burford, ON.
• Mail: write the Parking Penalty Notice-Parking Infraction number on the front of your cheque or money order made payable to The County of Brant and mail to: County of Brant By-law Enforcement Division 26 Park Ave. P.O. Box 160 Burford, ON. N0E 1A0

County of Brant Municipal By-Law Enforcement Officers can issue a Parking Penalty Notice through the following methods:

• In person
• On the vehicle
• By mail
• Delivering it to an occupant who appears to be at least 16 years of age at the address of the owner

Under extenuating or extreme circumstances (such as death or illness), you may be granted an extension to request a Screening Review. Please be prepared to provide supporting documentation to substantiate your request. 

Please contact us.

Email Bylaw

Unless the screening review proceeds in writing (email), if the Person fails to appear at the time and place scheduled for a screening review, or fails to remain at such place until the Screening Officer has made a Screening Decision respecting the Administrative Penalty:

(a) the Person shall be deemed to have abandoned the request for the review;

(b) the Administrative Penalty shall be deemed to be final;

(c) the Administrative Penalty shall not be subject to further review by a Hearing Officer or review by any Court; and

(d) the Person shall pay to the County a Screening Non-Appearance Fee of $25.00.

If the Person fails to appear on the date and time scheduled for the hearing of the appeal:

(a) the Person shall be deemed to have abandoned the appeal;

(b) the Screening Decision and the Administrative Penalty as it may have been affected by the Screening Decision shall be deemed to be final and shall not be subject to any further review, including review by any Court; and

(c) the Person shall pay to the County a Hearing Non-Appearance Fee of $50.00.

• Failure to pay a Parking Penalty Notice will result in additional Administrative Fees being added to the amount owing.
• For unpaid Parking Penalty Notices, notice will be sent to the Ontario Registrar of Motor Vehicles which will result in your Ontario licence plate not being renewed until the Penalty Notice and all fees have been paid in full.
• If you have not requested a Screening Review within 30 days of receiving your Parking Penalty Notice and have not paid the Parking Penalty Notice, a vehicle ownership search fee may be added to the penalty. After 60 days if you fail to pay or book a Screening Review, a late fee will be added, and the matter may be sent to the Ministry of Transportation for plate denial

What is the Administrative Penalty System (APS)?

An Administrative Penalty system, using Penalty Notices, is an emerging approach to dealing with minor by-law infractions in a manner which is fair, effective and efficient. This approach has been adopted by numerous municipalities, the province and by the federal government and is designed to streamline the enforcement process and increase compliance with County of Brant by-laws.

The APS transfers by-law disputes from a Provincial courtroom to the municipality through the use of Screening and Hearings Officers who are able to modify, cancel, or affirm penalties. This approach is designed to reduce congestion in the courts and to provide a local, accessible and efficient dispute resolution system. 

Why did the County of Brant move to the APS? 

How is APS more effective?

Using a trial to resolve minor by-law infractions, such as parking matters, could potentially take months in the congested court system. The APS helps to speed up the process by resolving minor by-law infraction matters in a shorter period of time and through using a municipally-run resolution process which maintains an individual's right to request a Screening of their Penalty Notice and to request a Hearing before a Hearing Officer if not satisfied with the Screening Officer’s decision.

The APS is more effective because:

• Unlike the Provincial Offences system, citizens can choose to resolve by-law infraction matters via written submissions or electronic hearings rather than through in-person hearings
• It enables the County to deal with minor by-law infractions in a timely manner;
• Citizens may request an extension of time in which to request a review by a Screening Officer or a Hearing by a Hearing Officer;
• Citizens may, during a Screening or Hearing, request an extension of time to pay a fine from a Screening Officer or Hearing Officer;
• It reduces congestion in the over-burdened provincial court system; and
• It results in a better use of court time and other resources for more serious matters such as Highway Traffic Act offences.

What is a Parking Penalty Notice and what do they look like? 

A Parking Penalty Notice is the same as a ticket except that it requires payment of a penalty instead of a fine. The Parking Penalty Notice is issued by a Municipal Law Enforcement Officer to an individual or corporation when they have committed a by-law infraction. 

An administrative penalty constitutes a debt owed to the municipality. 

Do Parking Penalty Notices cost more than traditional fines? 

Yes. Under specific circumstances, additional Administrative Fees are applied to the original penalty due date. For instance, additional Administrative Fees are applied to late payments, the failure to attend a scheduled Screening or Hearing, for performing Ministry of Transportation (MTO) searches, and for MTO plate denial. 

Our fees under Schedule C:

• Service by Mail Fee $12 
• Late Payment Fee: $25
• MTO Search Fee: $11
• Plate Denial Fee: $25
• Screening Non-Appearance Fee: $25
• Hearing Non-Appearance Fee: $50

What does a Screening Officer do?

Screening Officers review and consider any documents you submit before making a decision. Please note that Parking Penalty Notices are not automatically cancelled, reduced or extended at the screening level. Under the Administrative Penalty By-law (PDF), the Screening Officer may affirm the penalty notice upon review. The Screening Officer may also cancel, reduce or extend the time for payment on the following grounds:

• In a review of a Parking Penalty Notice, the screening officer must be satisfied, on a balance of probabilities, that the vehicle was not parked or stopped in contravention of the Parking By-law;
• In a review of a Non-Parking By-law Penalty, the Screening Officer must be satisfied, on a balance of probabilities, that the Person did not contravene a Designated By-law as set out in the Penalty;
• Where the Screening Officer is satisfied, on a balance of probabilities, that the cancellation, reduction, or extension of the time for payment of the Administrative Penalty, including any applicable Administrative Fees, is necessary to reduce any undue hardship.

When can I expect to receive my Screening and/or Hearing Decision

Decisions will be served within fifteen (15) calendar days of the Review