How to dispute a parking ticket or penalty notice

If you receive a penalty notice (also referred to as a parking ticket) you must either pay your penalty notice or choose to dispute the penalty notice within 30 days from the date that it was issued to avoid late payment or other administrative fees.

There are two options available to dispute a parking ticket or penalty notice. Please read through both options carefully before making a selection.

Screening

This service helps us resolve parking ticket infractions without having to schedule a hearing. 

If you have chosen a screening meeting to dispute a parking ticket in the past, and have had your ticket value reduced, you will not be eligible for reductions to any additional parking ticket values. A reduction in ticket value is possible, but not guaranteed, for a first offense only.

If you are not satisfied with the outcome of your screening meeting, you may still request a formal hearing.

Proceed with Screening  

Please use Chrome to access the scheduler.  

Hearing

If you wish to challenge the evidence of the officer who issued your parking ticket or penalty notice you can request a hearing. 

Please complete the form below and a representative will contact you within five business days.

Proceed with Hearing

Failure to respond to a parking ticket or penalty notice

If you do not respond to the parking ticket or penalty notice by the due date — either by paying the penalty or scheduling an initial screening meeting  — you automatically waive your right to a review, and the administrative penalty is deemed affirmed and not subject to review.

Administrative processing fees 

Administrative fees for processing penalties are as follows:

  • After 30 days, a $12 Ministry of Transportation (MTO) search fee 
  • After 60 days, a $34 late payment fee
  • After 75 days, a $29 fee for plate denial registration
  • $56 screening no-show fee for failing to appear at a scheduled initial screening
  • $111 hearing no-show fee for failing to appear at a scheduled hearing  

Additionally, if the penalty notice and administrative fees remain unpaid, a notice of default will be sent to the Ministry of Transportation which will result in your Ontario Vehicle Permit renewal being denied.

Frequently asked questions

What is a penalty notice?

A penalty notice, which is the same as a parking ticket, will be issued for parking violations within the Town of Milton.

Why did Milton implement the Administrative Penalty System (APS) program? 

The Administrative Penalty System (APS) was introduced to help the over-burdened courts by streamlining the process and allowing municipalities to handle parking violations internally. Resolving parking matters could potentially take months in the crowded court system. Under APS, parking matters can be resolved in weeks.

APS is more effective because:

  • The Town is able to deal with parking violations in a more timely manner
  • Individuals can continue to exercise their right to dispute the penalty notice by requesting an appointment review of the ticket with a Screening Officer or Hearing Officer
  • It allows for better use of court time and resources for more serious matters

What are the program policies of the Administrative Penalty System?

If you would like to know more about the Town’s Administrative Penalty System approval or program policies you can read them here.

How is a penalty notice issued?

A Town of Milton by-law enforcement officer can issue a penalty notice for a parking violation by:

  • Affixing it to the vehicle
  • Serving it to the driver personally at the time of the violation
  • Delivering it personally to the person as soon as reasonably possible
  • Sending it by registered or regular mail to the person’s last known address (which is considered served on the 7th day after it is mailed)
  • Sending it by fax to the person’s last known fax number
  • Sending it by email to the person’s last known email address 

What if I missed the deadline to schedule a screening review?

Under extenuating or extreme circumstances you may be granted an extension to request a screening review appointment. Call 905-878-7252 ext. 2530 for more details.

What happens if I don’t attend my scheduled screening review or hearing review?

If you do not attend your scheduled appointment, the penalty notice will be confirmed and the vehicle’s registered owner will be required to pay a fee for failing to attend the appointment.

What if I am not satisfied with the Screening Officer’s decision?

If the matter is still in dispute following the review by the Screening Officer, you can request a review by a Hearing Officer before the payment due date listed on your screening decision notice. The Hearing Officer’s decision is final.

Can someone else act on my behalf during a screening review or hearing review appointment? 
Yes. You can authorize another person to act as your representative during a screening review or hearing review appointment. You must complete the Authorization to Act as an Agent form and the person must submit the form to our staff prior to the scheduled appointment.

What will happen if I ignore the penalty notice?

If you do not choose one of the options listed on the back of your penalty notice, the Town of Milton assumes you have decided not to dispute the penalty notice and you may be required to pay additional administrative fees.   

Additionally, if the penalty notice and administrative fees remain unpaid, a notice of default will be sent to the Ministry of Transportation which will result in your Ontario Vehicle Permit renewal being denied.

I just received a past due notice, now what?
If you received a past due notice, this means that the Town of Milton has not received payment of the penalty notice or you have not requested a screening review appointment before the deadline. You are no longer eligible to request a screening review appointment and must take action to avoid incurring additional administrative fees.

I just received a final notice, now what?
If you received a final notice, this means that the Town has not received payment of the parking ticket or penalty notice. You must take action to avoid paying at the Ministry of Transportation when you renew your Ontario Vehicle Permit.

If you require an accommodation, please notify us at least 24 hours prior to your scheduled appointment at parking@milton.ca or 905-878-7252 ext. 2530.