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 October: 

1. 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 belongs:

Candy wrappers 

Ensure all candy wrappers are placed in the garbage. None are recyclable in Vaughan. 

Pumpkins, cornstalks and straw

Pumpkins, cornstalks and straw should be placed in with leaf and yard waste. The City collects leaf and yard waste weekly until the week of Dec. 5!

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 – wet or damaged bags cannot be picked up as they will break during collection. 

Here are other items that are 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

• pumpkins, straw and cornstalks

Here are items that 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 to learn more.

Check out the City’s online ‘What Goes Where?’ sorting tool. 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. 

2. 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.

3. How do I dispute a parking ticket?

You can dispute a parking ticket online or by phone as outlined below:

Dispute your ticket online

Complete the AMPS screening form within 15 days of receiving your ticket. You will need the Penalty Notice Number noted on the ticket 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 a ticket on the owner’s behalf.

The Screening Officer will review your online submission and respond accordingly.

Dispute your ticket by phone

Request a screening 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 a ticket 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 regulations in Vaughan, visit vaughan.ca/parking.

4. What are some tips for setting out my waste properly?

While tossing your waste bins and bags on the road may be easier, that can make picking them up difficult for collectors. Proper waste placement ensures collectors can easily and efficiently pick up waste, while reducing the risk of items being left behind. 

Here's a refresher on waste setout best practices:

• Be punctual: Place waste out no later than 7 a.m. the morning of your scheduled collection day rather than leaving it on the curb overnight – especially if the forecast calls for wind or rain. Waste collectors will not return for materials set out late.

• Put waste in the right place: Place waste approximately one metre from the curb on the right-hand side of the driveway (when facing the home) where possible. Do not put your waste on the road.

• Help deter wildlife: Tie your bagged materials tightly. Collect and store bins and any uncollected garbage on the same day as collection.

• Do not overfill your blue box: Leave space (7.5 centimetres or three inches) at the top of the box.

  • Purchase additional blue boxes or use a larger blue box (up to 121 litres, no attached lid or wheels) if you have too many materials. 

• Keep your items from blowing away: Place heavier items, such as glass bottles and jars, on top of lighter ones, such as paper and plastic containers. Flatten, cut down and bundle cardboard securely, and pack them in the blue box carefully. 

  • Consider putting your recycling out the following week if it’s windy. The City collects unlimited blue boxes weekly!

Want to see how it’s done? Watch this video on waste setout tips.

For more information on the City’s waste services, visit vaughan.ca/waste.

5. 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 boxes, green bins,  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. 

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

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