The Town of Collingwood is committed to a fair, transparent, and efficient approach to by-law enforcement. As part of this commitment, the Town has implemented an Administrative Monetary Penalty System (AMPS) to simplify and streamline the management and resolution of by-law infractions.
The goal of the Town’s AMPS is to ensure accountability and provide an accessible, straightforward process for resolving disputes and managing penalties. AMPS streamlines enforcement by allowing the Town’s By-law Services Division to manage Penalty Notices directly, reducing the need for court involvement and ensuring quicker resolutions of matters.
Under AMPS, Municipal Law Enforcement Officers issue Penalty Notices for by-law infractions, such as short-term accommodation licensing contraventions. This system offers an efficient alternative to traditional legal processes, making it easier for individuals and businesses to resolve by-law infractions.
If you do not wish to dispute your Penalty Notice, you can easily make your payment using one of the following methods:
Online: Pay with a Visa or MasterCard via the Town’s Customer Portal
In Person: Pay at Town Hall, located at 97 Hurontario Street, Collingwood, ON, during regular business hours (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday). Payments can be made by cash, cheque, money order, debit card, Visa or MasterCard.
By Mail: Pay by mailing a cheque or money order payable to the Town of Collingwood. Your Penalty Notice number must be written on the front of the cheque or money order.
Mail to:
Town of Collingwood 97 Hurontario Street Collingwood, ON L9Y 3Z5
Penalty Notice Options
If you receive a Penalty Notice, you have three options for how to proceed.
Pay the penalty: If you do not wish to dispute the Penalty Notice, you can pay the amount specified on the Penalty Notice using one of the methods listed on the Penalty Notice.
Request a Screening Review: If you wish to dispute the penalty because you believe it was issued in error, there were extenuating circumstances, or you are experiencing financial hardship, you can request a Screening Review to have the matter reviewed.
Request a Hearing Review: If you are unsatisfied with the outcome of the Screening Review, you can request an additional review by a Hearing Officer, who will make a final decision.
Disputing a Penalty Notice
If you wish to dispute a Penalty Notice, you can request a Screening Review to have the matter reviewed. Please follow these steps:
Review the Penalty Notice: Carefully read through the Penalty Notice you have received to understand the details of the violation and the amount owed.
Complete the Form: Fill out the "Request for Screening Form". You will need to provide details on why you believe the Penalty Notice was issued in error, describe any extenuating circumstances, or explain any financial hardship you are experiencing.
Submit the Form: You must submit the completed form via email, mail, or in person on or before the payment due date.
Wait for Confirmation: After submitting your request, you will receive confirmation that your request has been received. A staff member will contact you with the date and details of your Screening Review appointment.
If you have missed the deadline to request a Screening Review due to extenuating circumstances, you may apply for an extension within 30 days of the Penalty Notice date. Please follow these steps:
Complete the Forms: Fill out the "Request for a Screening Form" and "Screening Review Extension Request Form". You will need to provide a valid reason (extenuating circumstance) for your late request.
Submit the Forms: You must submit the completed form via email, mail, or in person within 30 days of the Penalty Notice date.
Wait for Confirmation: After submitting your request, you will receive confirmation that your request has been received. A staff member will contact you with the decision. If approved, you will be scheduled for a Screening Review appointment. If denied, you will be required to pay the Penalty Notice amount and any administrative fees.
If you are not satisfied with the Screening Officer’s decision, you have the right to request a review of this decision with a Hearing Officer. A Hearing Review is conducted by a Hearing Officer and can only be requested after a Screening Review has been completed. Please follow these steps:
Complete the Form: Fill out the "Request for a Hearing Form". You will need to provide details, including any evidence, on why you believe the Penalty Notice was issued in error, describe any extenuating circumstances, or explain any financial hardship you are experiencing.
Submit the Form: You must submit the completed form via email, mail, or in person either prior to the payment due date or during the Screening Review. If an extension was granted by the Screening Officer, you must submit the form before the extended deadline.
Wait for Confirmation: After submitting your request, you will receive confirmation that your request has been received. A staff member will contact you with the date and details of your Hearing Review appointment.
If you have missed the deadline to request a Hearing Review due to extenuating circumstances, you may apply for an extension within 15 days of the payment due date. Please follow these steps:
Complete the Forms: Fill out the "Request for a Hearing Form" and "Hearing Extension Request Form", providing a valid reason (extenuating circumstance) for your late request.
Submit the Forms: You must submit the completed forms via email, mail, or in person within 15 days of the payment due date.
Wait for Confirmation: After submitting your request, you will receive confirmation that your request has been received. A staff member will contact you with the decision. If approved, you will be scheduled for a Hearing Review appointment. If denied, you will be required to pay the Penalty Notice amount and any administrative fees.
Screening and Hearing Officers have no authority to consider questions relating to the validity of a statute, regulation or by-law or the constitutional applicability or operability of any statute, regulation or by-law.
Frequently Asked Questions
Administrative Monetary Penalties (AMPs) are financial penalties that can be imposed on individuals or entities for by-law infractions. AMPs are used as an alternative to the judicial system, providing a more efficient way to enforce by-laws.
A Penalty Notice is an official document issued by the Town when a by-law infraction is identified. The Notice includes details of the alleged violation, specifies the amount of the monetary penalty, and provides instructions on how to pay or dispute the Notice.
Penalty Notices are issued by Municipal Law Enforcement Officers when they observe or become aware of a by-law infraction. Notices can be delivered by mail, in person, or electronically, and include all relevant details regarding the violation and the penalty amount.
If you are not satisfied with the outcome of the Screening Review, you can request a Hearing Review as a final appeal. A Hearing Review is a formal process where additional information/evidence can be presented. You can submit a Hearing Review Request Form after the Screening Review or before the payment due date specified on the Penalty Notice. If an extension was granted by the Screening Officer, you must submit the form before the extended deadline.
If you have missed the deadline to request a Hearing Review due to extenuating circumstances, you can request an extension by completing the Hearing Extension Request Form within 15 days of the payment due date.
Screening Reviews are informal and typically conducted electronically (over the phone or by video conference) with a Screening Officer. Hearing Reviews are more formal and take place by video conference or in person with a Hearing Officer.
Screenings and Hearings are scheduled on specific dates, and you will receive advance notice of your scheduled date, time, and location.
To prepare for a Screening or Hearing, gather all relevant documents and evidence that support your case, such as photographs or videos, witness statements, correspondence, or any other records that support your case.
Be sure to send all documents and evidence to the Screening or Hearing Officer before your appointment to ensure the process runs smoothly. Documents and evidence can be emailed to amps@collingwood.ca or dropped off to Town Hall located at 97 Hurontario Street, Collingwood, ON.
If you are facing financial hardship, you may be eligible for accommodations such as a reduction or extension of time to pay the Administrative Monetary Penalty. You will need to provide supporting documents at the Screening or Hearing Review. Accepted documents may include:
Old Age Security
Canada Pension Plan
Guaranteed Income Supplement
Disability Pension
Ontario Student Assistance Program
Other forms of social assistance
The Screening or Hearing Officer will review your documentation to assess its credibility and will decide on eligibility. Be sure to present all relevant documents to help support your claim.
If you choose not to dispute the Penalty Notice and fail to make payment by the due date, you will incur a Late Payment Fee, in addition to the original penalty and any applicable administrative fees.
If the Administrative Monetary Penalty and any related fees remain unpaid for 15 days past the due date, the outstanding balance will be considered unpaid taxes. The total amount will then be added to your property tax roll and collected in the same manner as municipal taxes.
You may authorize someone to act and appear on your behalf at a Screening Review or Hearing. You are required to identify the authorized representative and acknowledge that you are ultimately responsible for paying the penalty and any associated administrative costs.
If you fail to appear for a screening review or hearing, you will be required to pay a non-appearance administrative fee in addition to the penalty amount and any other administrative fees. You will also forfeit your right to be heard, and the administrative penalty will not be subject to any further review.
A Penalty Notice cannot be disputed once it has been paid. If a request for a Screening Review or Hearing has already been submitted, the request will be canceled upon receipt of payment.
If you receive multiple Penalty Notices for a continuing violation, you should address the issue as soon as possible. Each new Notice represents a separate offence, and penalties can accumulate. You may dispute any Notice through the Screening Review process.
To submit a complaint regarding the administration of the Town’s AMPS. Please follow these steps:
Complete the Form: Fill out the "Public Complaint Form". Provide as much detail as possible, including dates, location, what occurred, and any relevant context.
Submit the Form: Submit the completed form within 30 days of the event or incident related to your complaint. Forms may be submitted via email, mail, or in person.
Wait for a Response: Formal complaints will be addressed by a written response from the Director to the person filing the complaint.
Please note, The Director, or designate, will not address, or process any public complaint that is deemed by the Director, or designate, as frivolous, vexatious, trivial, or made in bad faith.