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 February: 

1. When are my interim property taxes due and how can I pay them?

The 2024 interim property tax bills for residential and non-residential properties have been mailed out to all property owners. Below are the final payment due dates for all properties:

• First instalment – Wednesday, March 27
• Second instalment – Friday, April 26
• Third instalment – Wednesday, May 29

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

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

• Pre-authorized payment plans, including a six-instalment and a 10-instalment option.
• Post-dated cheques made payable to the City of Vaughan that correspond with the amount 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 marked drop-off boxes at each entrance.
• By mail, with a cheque payable to the City of Vaughan and send in the return envelope enclosed with the tax bill.

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

2. When does registration for spring programs and summer camps open, and how can I register my kids?

The City’s spring recreation and aquatic programs as well as summer camps are open for registration, so visit vaughan.perfectmind.com to book your child’s spot today! You can view a full list of programs in the Spring Recreation eGuide. For information about spring swim lessons and aquatic leadership programs, visit vaughan.ca/swim. The spring programming sessions start on Saturday March 23.

Summer camps for children four to 16 years of age begin on Tuesday, July 2 with one- and two- week sessions running until Friday, Aug. 30. Camps are located at Vaughan community centres, heritage homes, parks, the City Playhouse Theatre and Vaughan Studios & Event Space. With more than 80 camps to choose from, including 10 brand-new ones, the City offers a wide array of options to suit everyone 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 at vaughan.ca/camps. 

3. Does the City offer support programs and relief options to eligible seniors in the community?

The City’s Elderly Home-owners Tax Assistance Program (PDF) provides a tax credit of $406 to eligible older adults. To qualify, an individual must:

• be 65 years of age or older, as of April 2, 2024.
• be the owner and occupant of a principal residential property in the city of Vaughan for a minimum of one year.
• be in receipt of the Guaranteed Income Supplement, under Part Two of Canada’s Old Age Security Act.

View the application form (PDF) for additional requirements and required documentation. If you’re looking to apply for the 2024 tax year, the program application deadline is Tuesday, April 2. Applications can be submitted through the two drop-off boxes located at each entrance of Vaughan City Hall (2141 Major Mackenzie Dr.) or by email through service@vaughan.ca. 

The Seniors, Low-Income Seniors and Low-Income Disabled Persons Property Tax Deferral program (PDF) provides financial assistance in the form of a tax deferral to eligible residents. To qualify, the property owner must be at least one of the following:

• a senior resident of Vaughan who is at least 65 years of age
• a low-income senior between the ages of 55 and 65
• a low-income individual with a disability

The property for which the taxes are payable must be in Vaughan and owned by an eligible older adult or person with a disability as a principal residence on Jan. 1 of the eligible year. View the application form (PDF) for additional eligibility requirements and proper documentation needed before applying. The deadline to apply for this program is Monday, Sept. 30.

For further information on either of these financial-support programs, contact Service Vaughan at 905-832-2281 or service@vaughan.ca. 

4. Where do I report missed waste collection?

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

Blue boxes, green bins and garbage 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.

Learn more about Vaughan’s waste services at vaughan.ca/waste. 

5. Is on-street parking allowed in Vaughan?

On-street parking is allowed on any street in Vaughan for up to three hours without a permit between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. – unless otherwise signed 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.

During the winter, keep parked cars off the street while snowplows are out to help the City clear streets properly and safely. As outlined in the City’s Parking By-law (PDF), on-street parking that interferes with snow-clearing operations is prohibited. Vehicles found in violation may be subject to a $75 fine or towed at the owner’s expense. 

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 later if the dates have passed.

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

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

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