You asked, we answered
Have a question
about a service in Vaughan? Want to report an issue? Access Vaughan is standing
by with Citizen Service Representatives ready to respond to residents’
inquiries. The City’s contact centre can be reached by phone at 905-832-2281
(toll-free: 1-844-832-2112) or email at accessvaughan@vaughan.ca.
Every month, the City releases popular questions received and responded to by Access Vaughan in a series called ‘You Asked, We Answered.’ Below are the top five inquiries from September:
1. How do I vote online for the upcoming municipal election?
New to this year’s election, citizens can cast their ballot online during the Advance Vote from Thursday, Oct. 6 until Thursday, Oct. 20. To be eligible to vote, you must be:
- a Canadian citizen.
- over the age of 18.
- either a resident of the city of Vaughan, or an owner or tenant of property within the city, or the spouse of an owner of tenant or property in Vaughan.
- not prohibited from voting under Section 17, subsection (3) of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996, or otherwise by law.
To vote online during the Advance Vote, visit vaughan.ca/elections and click on the “Vote” button. To access the online voting platform, you must be on the Voters’ List. Eligible voters will receive a Voter Information Letter in the mail, which includes your contact information and a secure PIN that allows personal access to the Advance Vote platform. You will use this PIN to log into the platform, and each step will be outlined as you move through the tool.
If you registered to vote after Wednesday, Sept. 7, you will not receive your Voter Information Letter in the mail and must pick one up from Vaughan City Hall located at 2141 Major Mackenzie Dr. or at a Voter Assistance Centre.
Watch the City’s step-by-step video on how to vote online. Visit vaughan.ca/elections for the most up-to-date information, resources and everything you need to know about the 2022 Municipal Election.
2. How do I request tree pruning or tree planting services?
The City manages more than 130,000 street trees, and thousands of trees throughout our 700 hectares (1,730 acres) of parks and open space land. Through a Council-endorsed Tree Maintenance Strategy, every City-owned street tree is pruned at seven-year intervals. To request tree pruning or planting, fill out the online form through Service Vaughan. You can also request maintenance by calling 905-832-2281 or emailing accessvaughan@vaughan.ca.
Tree pruning requests are managed in priority sequence following an inspection. A forestry inspector will visit the site within 45 business days to examine the condition of the tree and determine the work to be done. Tree planting requests are received and placed in the next available planting season, pending budget approval. Please note the City does not plant trees on private property.
Visit vaughan.ca/forestry for more information on tree pruning and planting services offered by the City.
3. Where do I apply for a Construction Parking Permit or Visitor Parking permit?
The City’s Online Parking Permit System offers construction, visitor and monthly resident parking permits. You must first create an account by providing proof of your home address (such as a driver’s licence, property tax bill, utility bill or lease or rental agreement).
On-street parking is allowed for up to three hours without a permit between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. – unless otherwise signed by or prohibited by the Parking By-law (PDF). On-street parking is not allowed between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m., unless the vehicle has a valid permit. The Parking By-law is enforced 24 hours a day, seven days a week, all year long. Enforcement officers patrol the city issuing tickets for parking violations. Parking regulations may also be enforced by York Regional Police.
Permits are electronic and do not need to be printed or displayed. Permits are non-transferable between licence plate numbers. Unused permit dates cannot be cancelled and reissued if the dates have already passed.
If you need assistance purchasing permits, please contact the City at 905-832-2281 or email parking.permit@vaughan.ca. For more information about parking in Vaughan, visit vaughan.ca/parking.
4. How do I book a recreational swim or fitness drop-in class?
Drop-in recreational schedules are available online at vaughan.perfectmind.com. Pre-registration and pre-payment are available one week in advance of the scheduled activity, with limited spots for walk-ins. You can also purchase a multi-visit pass membership online at vaughan.perfectmind.com.
Once registered, click the “Drop-in Schedule” tab on the top menu bar and select the program you want to view to see the location, dates, times and applicable fees. Click “Register Now” to add it to your cart. Your spot will be held for 10 minutes. When you are finished, review your cart and place your order.
Need help registering? Watch the City’s video on how to register for a drop-in class. You can also email recCSD@vaughan.ca or call the City at 905-832-2281.
5. When is my scheduled leaf and yard waste collection, and where can I find more information?
The City of Vaughan collects leaf and yard waste seasonally – weekly in the spring and fall, and every other week in the summer. Weekly collection of these materials will begin on Tuesday, Oct. 18 and continue through the week of Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022. 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.
For more information about City matters, please call 905-832-2281 or visit vaughan.ca.
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