Appeal Processes

Any person/company who has received a penalty notice (also known as an Administrative Monetary Penalty (A.M.P.), an Order, a Property Standards Order, or a Licensing or Exemption Decision may request a review through the appropriate appeal process.

What is an Appeal?

An appeal is a way to request a review of an:

order
penalty
decision

Appealing an A.M.P.

Screenings

To dispute a penalty, you must submit your reason for the dispute through the Oshawa Ticket Portal along with any supporting documentation within twenty-one (21) days from the date of the infraction. A Screening Officer will review all submitted materials along with the officer's evidence, and the decision will be sent to you by email.

Request a Screening

If you cannot take part in a written screening process due to accessibility needs or disability-related barriers, you may request an accommodation by emailing [email protected].

Hearings

If the matter is still in dispute following a screening, you may request a review by the Hearing Officer within twenty-one (21) days of the screening decision date.

Request a Hearing

Frequently asked questions

Does it cost anything to request a screening or hearing?

No. There are no fees for a review of a penalty notice.

Can I authorize someone else to act on my behalf?

Anyone can make payment on your behalf as long as they have your penalty notice and the licence plate number or name of the person listed on the penalty notice.

Only the registered owner of the vehicle or the individual named in the penalty notice may request a screening or hearing. If someone else is making the request on their behalf, an Authorization of Representative form must be completed and submitted along with the screening or hearing request.

Authorized representatives can be one of the following: a lawyer, a licensed paralegal or a person exempt from the requirement to be licensed by by-law pursuant to the Law Society Act.

How long does it take to receive a screening decision?

Screening decisions are typically emailed within ninety (90) days from the date of infraction. However, processing times may vary depending on the volume of requests.

Check the status of your screening request on Oshawa Ticket Portal.

When and where are hearings held?

Hearings will be scheduled on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month.

You can choose one of the following options:

In-person
Virtual
Written

In person hearings will be held at City Hall, 50 Centre St. S.

What if I don't attend a scheduled in person or virtual hearing?

The penalty will be affirmed. Additionally, the registered owner of the vehicle or the person named on the penalty notice will receive a Failure to Appear fee of $100.

What if I missed the deadline to schedule a screening or hearing?

Your right to dispute a penalty notice expires:

forty-two (42) days from the penalty notice infraction date for screenings
forty-two (42) days from the screening decision date for hearings

If you miss the deadline to request a screening or a hearing:

You will be deemed to have waived your right to appeal;
The penalty (and any decision already made) will be considered final; and
The matter is not subject to review, including review by any Court.

What happens if I do nothing and ignore the penalty notice?

Failure to pay a penalty notice will result in more administrative fees. Additionally, the notice will go to the Ontario Registrar of Motor Vehicles for parking penalties. They will deny the renewal of existing or the issuance of new vehicle licence plates.

For non-parking related infractions where an individual has failed to pay their penalty notice, the City may:

Revoke or deny an individual's business licence (where applicable)
add the outstanding amount of the penalty notice to the tax roll for any property in the City for which all of the owners are responsible for paying the penalty notice and collect it in the same manner as municipal taxes
the outstanding amount may be sent to a collection agency

Appealing an Order

Orders are issued to a person who has violated one of the following:

Orders require the violator to take steps to fix their violation.

To request an appeal, you must:

submit an Order Appeal Request Form and
pay the $250 appeal fee within the period listed on the Order.

Note: an appeal of an Animal Control Order or Vehicle for Hire Order does not operate as a stay of the Order.

Appealing a Property Standards Order

Property Standards Orders are issued to property owners who are not complying with Property Standards By-law. This By-law establishes minimum standards of repair, maintenance and occupancy, including:

Property Maintenance
Conditions of Parking Areas and Safe Passages
Sewage and Drainage Systems
Heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems

To appeal a Property Standards Order:

Submit a Property Standards Appeal Application and
Pay the $250 appeal fee by the date on the Order

If you appeal a Property Standards Order, you will have a hearing with the Oshawa Property Standards Committee, an appeals body chosen by City Council.

Appealing an Exemption or Licensing Decision

Licensing and Property Related Decisions

Licensing Decisions related to the following may be appealed:

Exemption decisions related to the following may be appealed:

To appeal a Licensing Decision or Exemption decision:

Submit the Appeal Request Form and
Pay the $250 appeal fee