By-law enforcement team keeping Vaughan safe
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Enforcement officers
responding 24-7 to COVID-19-related calls
As the City of Vaughan implements
precautionary measures in response to COVID-19, the By-law and Compliance,
Licensing and Permit Services department continues to be at the forefront of
educating the public and enforcing by-laws designed to break the chain of
transmission of this global pandemic. Since Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua declared
a state of emergency on March 17, more than 3,100 COVID-19-related
investigations have taken place.
Most
recently, the team launched Operation Guardian – an enforcement campaign to
pursue charges for violations of by-laws and provincial orders. Since its
launch on April 10, more than 2,300 investigations have been carried out by
by-law staff. All available officers have been deployed to focus on issues such
as waste, litter and adherence to provincial physical distancing regulations.
Littering
and illegal dumping are prohibited and may be subject to a $205 fine. Instances
of illegal dumping or littering can be reported to Access Vaughan at
905-832-2281. By-law enforcement officers are proactively patrolling the city
for violations of illegal dumping, including inspecting all commercial plazas.
Private property conditions are governed by the City’s Debris By-law and
Property Standards By-law. Those who do not keep their properties clear of
litter, waste and debris may be subject to a fine of $5,000 for each offence.
As well, the City may have the waste and debris removed at the owner’s expense,
and it may be subject to an Order to Comply, under the Building Code Act.
Failing to comply with an order is a chargeable offence.
The
City’s recently adopted Emergency Measures By-law – which provides authority to
further enforce social and physical distancing measures, in addition to other
orders during this state of emergency such as limiting access to public
property – is also being actively enforced. Failure to comply with the new
by-law is an offence and subject to fines ranging from $500 to $100,000.
Administrative
monetary penalties, such as a parking ticket, can be paid online at
PayVaughanTicket.com. To arrange an alternative method of payment or schedule a
dispute appointment, call Access Vaughan at 905-832-2281 within 15 days of
receiving it. Scheduled disputes are being conducted over the phone until
further notice.
With the
warmer weather, By-law and Compliance, Licensing and Permit Services is also
focused on outdoor maintenance services. During the COVID-19 pandemic, landscaping,
lawn-care, fence and pool companies can continue to provide services related to
safety, security, sanitation or essential maintenance purposes only.
Businesses
including but not limited to landscapers, lawn maintenance, pool and fence
companies require a Vaughan business licence to offer or provide services
within the city. Operating without a valid licence is a violation and a
chargeable offence. For more information about licensing, contact Access
Vaughan at 905-832-2281.
In
compliance with the Ontario Essential Business list and the City’s Emergency
Measures By-law, service areas that can continue include:
- Landscaping and lawn care, including cutting, dethatching, aeration and fertilizing
- Clearing yards of refuse and debris, including the removal of animal excrement
- Fence installation and repairs, with proper permits
- Emergency repairs to outdoor decks, with proper permits, subject to Schedule 2 of Ontario Regulation 119/20 for construction
- Pool openings so stagnant and standing water can be removed, limiting mosquito breeding
- Active home construction projects with permits issued prior to April 4, 2020
Landscaping
projects conducted by professional contractors for esthetic purposes do not apply.
These include, but are not limited to, planting of gardens, flowers and trees,
and installing pergolas, patios, interlock walkways and driveways, among others.
In enforcing
these regulations, by-law officers will address and take all necessary steps to
prevent any unsafe operation from continuing. Appropriate investigation and
action will be taken for every reported instance to ensure that residents and their
properties remain safe and that minimum maintenance standards are met. For
further information, contact By-law and Compliance, Licensing and Permit
Services at 905-832-2281.
For
further information about the provincial list of essential businesses and related
services, businesses can continue to call the Province’s ‘Stop the Spread’
Business Information Line at 1-888-444-3659. Additional resources on the virus,
including an online self-assessment tool, are also available at ontario.ca/COVID19.
All
businesses must adhere to physical distancing measures set by York Region Public
Health officials to ensure the well-being of everyone in the community. For
additional information and resources on COVID-19, visit York Region's website
at york.ca/COVID19.
As the
City of Vaughan continues to respond to COVID-19, precautionary measures are
introduced and re-assessed to help protect the health of all citizens. To stay
up to date on the latest updates as they happen, visit vaughan.ca/COVID19. Residents are also encouraged to sign
up for the City Update eNewsletter at vaughan.ca/CityUpdate, and follow the City’s
Twitter, Facebook and Instagram channels.
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