You asked, we answered

Have a question about a service in Vaughan? Want to know more about a City program? The Service Vaughan team is standing by ready to respond to your inquiries. The City of Vaughan’s contact centre can be reached by phone at 905-832-2281 (toll-free: 1-844-832-2112), email at service@vaughan.ca, online at vaughan.ca/ServiceVaughan or in-person at Vaughan City Hall (2141 Major Mackenzie Dr.).

Every month, the City releases a series called ‘You Asked, We Answered,’ where common questions received and responded to by Service Vaughan are highlighted.

Below are the top five inquiries from July:

1. After I submit a tree maintenance service request (e.g. tree pruning or stump removal), how long will it take before City staff go visit the tree site?

It depends on the situation. Requests for urgent maintenance services that pose a danger to the public – such as fallen tree – are dealt with as soon as possible. Non-emergency requests that follow our pruning schedule will be addressed accordingly, while all other requests will be managed in priority sequence, following an inspection. Once a service request is created, a Forestry inspector will visit the site within 30 business days to examine the tree's condition and determine next steps. The Forestry inspector will contact you (by phone or leave a notice on your door) with the status of your request. Please note: it can take up to eight months for a tree to be pruned and up to 12 months for a tree stump to be removed.

2. When are my final property taxes due and how can I pay them?

The final 2023 property tax bills for residential and non-residential properties have been mailed out to all property owners. The payment due dates are:

• Second instalment – Monday, Aug. 28
• Third instalment – Thursday, Sept. 28

Remember, all City facilities are cashless, so here’s how you can pay your interim property tax bills:

• Pre-authorized payment plans, including a six-instalment or a 10-instalment option.
• Post-dated cheques, made payable to the City of Vaughan that correspond with the amounts and due dates printed on the tax stubs.
• Financial institutions, either in-person, through the bank machine, online or via telephone.
• At City Hall, placed in drop-off boxes at each entrance. 
• By mail, with a cheque payable to the City of Vaughan and sent in the return envelope enclosed with the tax bill.

Didn’t receive your bill? If you did not receive your final tax bill in the mail, contact the City immediately at 905-832-2281 or service@vaughan.ca. Failure to receive a tax bill does not exempt you from paying property taxes – late payment penalties will be added.

To learn more about each payment option, visit vaughan.ca/PropertyTax.

3. Where do I report missed waste collection?

You can report missed recycling, organics, garbage and leaf and yard waste collection at vaughan.ca/ServiceVaughan under the ‘Garbage and Recycling’ section.

Blue box, green bin,  garbage and yard waste are collected on your scheduled collection day. Items should be placed at the curb in the morning and no later than 7 a.m. on the day of your scheduled collection. Collectors will not return for materials set out late. Visit vaughan.ca/waste to learn more about the City’s waste services.

You can also download the Recycle Coach app through the Apple App Store or Google Play for waste-less tips and a personalized collection schedule with optional alerts on what to put at the curb each week.

4. What recreation programs are available for kids this summer?

Looking for something fun for the kids to do before school starts again in September? Look no further than the City’s summer camps! Limited spots are still available, so visit vaughan.perfectmind.com to register your child today.

Summer camps for children aged four to 16 years old include one- and two-week sessions and run until Friday, Sept. 1. Camps are located at Vaughan community centres, heritage homes, parks, the City Playhouse Theatre and Vaughan Studios and Event Space. The City’s summer camp lineup offers more than 75 unique camps and 25 new camps for kids with specialties in creative, culinary and performing arts, enrichment, leadership, recreation, sports, outdoor adventures and water adventures. For more information on summer camps, view the digital brochure or visit vaughan.ca/camps.

If you require assistance creating an online registration account or registering, call Service Vaughan at 905-832-2281, email rec@vaughan.ca or visit your local community centre.

4. Is on-street parking allowed in Vaughan during the summer?

By-laws are put in place to ensure a safe and orderly community for all who live, work and play in Vaughan. On-street parking is allowed on any street 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 for that date, time and location. This changes during the winter months to accommodate snow removal operations.

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.

Parking permit applications are available online at any time. 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 at a later time if the dates have already passed. If you need assistance purchasing a parking permit, please email the City at parking.permit@vaughan.ca or call 905-832-2281.

For more information about parking in Vaughan, visit vaughan.ca/parking.

5. Where should I dispose of my pet’s waste while out walking them?

Pet waste belongs in the green bin at home and in public waste bins when you’re out in the community. If the bins are full, take your garbage and pet waste home with you. By-laws are in place to keep neighbourhoods safe and clean. You must pick up after your pets, whether on public or private property. The fine for failing to do so is $200.

To report pet waste on public property, contact Service Vaughan at 905-832-2281 or service@vaughan.ca. For more information on pets and wildlife, visit vaughan.ca/AnimalServices.

If you have questions about a City matter, call Service Vaughan at 905-832-2281 or visit vaughan.ca.

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