You asked, we answered
Have a question
about a service in Vaughan? Want to know more about the City of Vaughan’s programs?
Service Vaughan is standing by with Citizen Service Representatives ready to
respond to your inquiries. The City’s contact centre can be reached by phone at
905-832-2281 (toll-free: 1-844-832-2112), email at service@vaughan.ca or in-person at
Vaughan City Hall (2141 Major Mackenzie Dr.).
Every month, the City releases common questions received and responded to by Service Vaughan in a series called ‘You Asked, We Answered.’ Below are the top five inquiries from October:
1. When is my scheduled leaf and yard waste collection, and where can I find more information about this service?
The City collects leaf and yard waste seasonally – weekly in the spring and fall, and every other week in the summer. Weekly collection of these materials started in October and will continue through to the week of Tuesday, Dec. 6. Leaf and yard waste must be placed in Kraft paper bags or open-top rigid containers with handles, up to 121 litres (32 gallons) in size, and clearly marked “Leaf and Yard Waste.” Plastic bags are not permitted. Kraft paper bags must be kept dry – degraded bags will not be picked up as they will break during collection. If you hire a company for lawn care services, ensure they are notified of these collection requirements.
Remember to place yard waste at the curb no earlier than 6 p.m. the night before and no later than 7 a.m. on your collection day.
Visit the City’s leaf and yard waste webpage for more information. Learn more about the City’s other waste collection services at vaughan.ca/waste or download the Recycle Coach App through the Apple Store or Google Play for personalized reminders.
2. Is the City offering camps for kids over the December school break?
Yes! The City is offering many day camps for children aged four to 17 during the December school break. Registration is already underway, so visit vaughan.perfectmind.com to book your child’s spot today!
Camps run on weekdays beginning Tuesday, Dec. 27 until Friday, Jan. 6 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily with flexible drop-off from 8:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. and pickup between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. Flexible drop-off is not available at the Vaughan Studios & Event Space located within the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre.
In addition to the classic Winter Adventures camp, where children ages four to 12 can enjoy a variety of arts and crafts, games and sports, there are many specialty camps to choose from. For a complete list of December break camps, review the City’s Fall Recreation eGuide or visit vaughan.ca/camps. If you require assistance registering, call Service Vaughan at 905-832-2281 or email RecCSD@vaughan.ca.
3. Where can I access my tax account information and how do I pay my taxes without coming to City Hall?
There are many ways to pay your property tax bill:
- Financial institutions: Either in-person, through the bank machine, online or via telephone.
- Pre-authorized payment plans: Sign up for one of the City’s pre-authorized payment plans, which offer options for either an instalment due date plan or monthly instalment.
- Mailed: Cheque made payable to the City of Vaughan and mailed to City Hall (2141 Major Mackenzie Dr.)
- Post-dated cheques: Cheques that correspond with the amounts and due dates printed on the tax stubs.
If you would like to change or update the ownership on your tax account, the property owner must submit a request in writing through email, drop-box or mail. For more information, contact the tax office through Service Vaughan at 905-832-2281 or email service@vaughan.ca. If you would like to change your banking information on file, fill out the Pre-Authorized Payment Change of Banking Information Form (PDF). This form must be completed and received by the City’s Tax department at least 15 days before the next withdrawal date to take effect.
For more information about Vaughan property taxes and the available payment options, visit vaughan.ca/PropertyTax.
4. How do I make an appointment to dispute a parking ticket?
You can dispute a parking ticket online or by phone:
Dispute your ticket online
Complete the AMPS Screening form within 15 days of receiving your ticket. You will need the Penalty Notice Number to complete the form. Upload the completed form and any supporting documents or photos. 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 respond accordingly.
Dispute your ticket by phone
Request a screenings appointment within 15 days of receiving your ticket by emailing parking.permit@vaughan.ca or calling Service Vaughan at 905-832-2281. If you are not the registered vehicle owner, indicate so and provide a letter of authorization to dispute on the owner’s behalf. You will be able to dispute your ticket and a Screening Officer will respond accordingly.
If you do not contact the City – by phone, email or submitting a dispute form online within 15 days of receiving your ticket – the ticket will become due and payable.
For more information about parking in Vaughan, visit vaughan.ca/parking.
5. Where do I dispose of my fall items like cornstalks and straw?
Now that Halloween is over, you may have fall décor items that you need to dispose of. This is where everything belong:
Candy
wrappers
Ensure all candy wrappers are placed in
the garbage. They are not recyclable in Vaughan.
Pumpkins, cornstalks and straw
Pumpkins,
cornstalks and straw are to be placed outside with leaf and yard waste. The
City collects leaf and yard waste weekly until the week of Tuesday, Dec. 6.
Leaf and yard waste
Leaf and yard waste must be placed in Kraft paper bags or open-top
rigid containers with handles, up to 121 litres (32 gallons) in size, and
clearly marked “Leaf and Yard Waste.” Plastic bags are not permitted. Kraft paper bags must be kept dry – degraded bags will not be
picked up as they will break during collection. If you hired a company for lawn
care services, ensure they are notified of these collection requirements.
As a reminder, here are other items accepted in leaf and yard waste collection:
- plant material (no soil) and leaves
- branches, twigs and cuttings that are tied in secure bundles and less than 1.5 metres (five feet) in length and 0.6 metres (two feet) in diameter, weighing less than 20.5 kilograms (45 pounds)
- individual branches that are less than 10 centimetres (four inches) in diameter, bundled securely
The following items are not accepted:
- stumps and root balls
- any leaf and yard waste material contaminated with household waste or non-leaf and yard waste, such as green bin organics
- sod, soil, rocks or stones
Visit the City’s leaf and yard waste webpage for more information.
Check out the City’s online ‘What Goes Where?’ sorting tool for guidance on where to place your waste items. You can also download the Recycle Coach app through the Apple App Store or Google Play to check where waste items belong. The app provides waste-less tips and a personalized collection schedule with optional alerts on what to put to the curb each week.
For more information about City matters, call Service Vaughan at 905-832-2281 or visit vaughan.ca.
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