Car rallies
Car rallies without a special events permit are NOT allowed in the City of Vaughan.
During the March 26, 2024 Council meeting, Vaughan Council approved changes to the City of Vaughan's Special Events By-law (PDF) and Noise By-law (PDF) to prohibit any participation in unauthorized car rallies. The City, in collaboration with York Regional Police (YRP), will enforce the by-law amendment effective immediately. To learn more, read the March 19, 2024 Committee of the Whole (2) report.
Unauthorized car rallies typically involve people gathering with their modified vehicles to do stunts. They can involve taking over private property, like parking lots, or roads. These events do not have a permit or permission from the City to take place. Unauthorized car rallies are disruptive to the quality of life in Vaughan and pose a significant risk to community safety. These events often come with excessive noise, speeding, stunt driving and blocking or impeding motor or pedestrian traffic.
How to report
- To report a suspected unauthorized car rally, call Service Vaughan at 905-832-2281.
- To report non-emergencies to YRP, call 1-866-876-5423.
- If you have immediate safety concerns, call 9-1-1.
Rules
The Special Events By-law 047-2024 (PDF) prohibits any participation in unauthorized car rallies, including:
- sponsoring, collecting money for, co-ordinating, advertising or hosting a car rally
- spectating, attending or bringing a vehicle to a car rally
- driving or riding as a passenger in a motor vehicle at a car rally
- stopping, slowing or impeding the movement of traffic, including pedestrian traffic, as a consequence of a car rally
- being a vendor at a car rally
The Noise By-law 046-2024 (PDF) prohibits anyone from emitting, causing or permitting noise from an unauthorized car rally.
Fines
The maximum fine associated with participating in an unauthorized car rally is $10,000. The maximum fine associated with breaking the Noise By-law is $5,000. The City and YRP can also issue the following administrative penalties:
| Offence | penalty for first offence | penalty for subsequent offence(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Any person participating in, having their motor vehicle at, sponsoring, collecting money for, co-ordinating, advertising, hosting or being a vendor at an unauthorized car rally. | $1,000 | $2,000 |
| Any person spectating, attending, riding as a passenger in a motor vehicle at an unauthorized car rally. | $500 | $500 |
| Any person emitting, causing or permitting sound or noise from a car rally. | $1,000 | $2,000 |
Property owners
Hosting or allowing an unauthorized car rally to take place on your property is prohibited in Vaughan and subject to fines. Property owners are responsible for preventing unauthorized events from taking place on their property and reporting if any unauthorized events do occur. To report an unauthorized car rally to take place on your property, call Service Vaughan at 905-832-2281. To report non-emergencies to YRP, call 1-866-876-5423. If you have immediate safety concerns, call 9-1-1.
In collaboration with YRP, the City is working with local plaza owners to outline their role and responsibilities pertaining to the by-law, and how they can help deter unauthorized car rally events from taking place on their properties. Property owners will receive a letter from the City with detailed information. Property owners will also be able to download a sign template and install it at their properties to educate residents that unauthorized car rallies are not allowed in Vaughan.
Fostering community safety
The City is committed to fostering a community that is inclusive, accessible, respectful and safe for everyone. Here is more information on how the City and residents can help ensure our community continues to be a safe place for everyone who lives, works and visits here.
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Answer
- The City’s Noise By-law 121-2021 regulates noise and the times of day noise can occur. The purpose of the by-law is to preserve and protect the safety and welfare of all Vaughan residents by promoting peace and quiet.
- To report excessive noise, call Service Vaughan at 905-832-2281 or email the City’s By-law and Compliance, Licensing and Permit Services team at bylaw@vaughan.ca.
- Other agencies may also investigate noise issues when the complaints potentially involve criminal activity, environmental concerns or other community impact issues.
- To report a noise violation to YRP, call their non-emergency line at 1-866-876-5423.
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Answer
- To report loitering in City parks and on City property, call Service Vaughan at 905-832-2281 or email the City’s By-law and Compliance, Licensing and Permit Services team at bylaw@vaughan.ca.
- To report loitering on private property, call YRP’s non-emergency line at 1-866-876-5423.
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Answer
- Ensuring the safety of all road users is a priority for the City and YRP.
- To report a vehicle being operated in an unsafe manner – such as speeding, disobeying stop signs or red lights, or failing to signal lane changes – you may file a Road Watch complaint or contact Crime Stoppers to file an anonymous report.
- Call 9-1-1 immediately if you believe the driver is:
- impaired.
- driving erratically/aggressively.
- displaying road rage behaviour.
- posing an immediate danger to the public.
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Answer
- Special events in Vaughan are regulated by the Special Events By-law 045-2018 (PDF), and must meet the City’s and its partnering agencies’ standards to help ensure the safety, security and well-being of event participants, organizers and the public.
- To apply for a special events permit, you can use the online Licensing Portal, or submit in-person, by mail, drop-box or email using the Special Event and Film Permit application form (PDF).
- Learn more about hosting an event in Vaughan.
- To file a complaint about a special event, call Service Vaughan at 905-832-2281 or email bylaw@vaughan.ca.