Administrative Monetary Penalty System (AMPS)

The Administrative Monetary Penalty System (AMPS) is a streamlined, local process that replaces the traditional court system for dealing with violations of certain Town bylaws covered under the AMPS bylaw, such as parking tickets. Instead of going through the Provincial Offences Court, AMPS lets the Town handle these matters directly and more efficiently.

In short, AMPS makes bylaw enforcement quicker, fairer and more convenient for everyone in the community.

Pay Penalty Notice Submit a Screening Review Request Hearing Appeal Authorization to Act as an Agent - Form Request for an Extension of Time

Administrative Fees

Disclaimer: AMPS fees are subject to Harmonized Sales Tax (H.S.T.) where applicable. The latest fee amounts can be found in Schedule "B" of Administrative Monetary Penalty By-law #09-2025.

Fee Type	Amount
Late Payment Fee	$30.00
Screening No Show Fee	$125.00
Hearing No Show Fee	$350.00
Land Title Search Fee	$30.00
Title Deed Fee	$20.00
MTO (Ontario Ministry of Transportation) Search Fee	$12.00
Mailing Fee	Actual Cost
Plate Denial Enforcement Fee	$25.00
Non-Sufficient Funds (NSF) Fee	$40.00

What's the difference between a ticket and a penalty notice?

Although they may look similar, a ticket and a penalty notice are handled in different ways. Under AMPS, because the process for handling certain violations has changed, so has the terminology. Here's how to tell the difference:

Ticket: issued under the Provincial Offences Act, a ticket is a formal charge that must be handled in court.
Penalty notice: a penalty notice looks like a ticket, but is not a charge or a court matter it's an administrative monetary penalty under the Town's bylaws managed by the Town of Shelburne.

Screening and Hearing Process

You have 15 days from the date of the penalty notice to either pay the penalty, or submit a screening review.

Screening review

A screening review is a meeting with a screening officer. They will decide whether the penalty still applies as issued, is reduced, or cancelled. This process is done without court involvement.

If you do not attend your screening review, there will be an additional $125 Screening No Show Fee.

Hearing appeal

A hearing appeal is a formal meeting where you can challenge a penalty decision after a screening review. A hearing officer listens to both sides and makes a final decision on whether to keep, change, or cancel the penalty.

If the Hearing Officer agrees with the Screening Officer's decision, you may be required to pay an additional fee of $200. This is added to your total amount due.

If you do not attend your hearing review, there will be an additional $350 Hearing No Show Fee.

Requesting a time extension

A request for an extension of time lets you ask for more time to pay or respond to a penalty if you meet certain criteria. You have to apply within a specific period, and the municipality decides if they will give you extra time.

Authorizing a person to act on your behalf

A person authorized to act for you is someone you have chosen to handle your penalty case. This must be done through an official designation process by submitting the proper request. The Town can then allow them to proceed. This person can attend meetings and make decisions for you.

Pay Penalty Notice Submit a Screening Review Request Hearing Appeal Authorization to Act as an Agent - Form Request for an Extension of Time

Public Complaint Process

The Town of Shelburne is committed to ensuring the Administrative Monetary Penalty System (AMPS) is administered in a fair, independent, and transparent manner. The Town strives to maintain an AMPS program that is open, accessible, responsive, accountable, efficient, and effective.

The public complaint process applies to all aspects of the AMPS program, including the administrative actions and functions carried out by Town employees and other individuals responsible for administering the program. This process does not apply to the validity of a by-law or the constitutional applicability of a by-law.

If you have a complaint regarding the administration of the AMPS program, you may register your complaint by completing the Town of Shelburne's Complaint Submission Form.

The Town keeps the identity of complainants confidential unless the complainant has agreed to be identified.

Complaints will be reviewed and investigated as soon as reasonably possible. For more information, please review the Town of Shelburne's Public Complaint Policy.

Frequently asked questions

How is a penalty notice issued?

A municipal law enforcement officer/bylaw officer can issue a penalty notice by:

personally delivering it to the person to whom it is addressed
leaving/posting it at the property
fax
email
regular or registered mail
placing it on a vehicle in a conspicuous area

What if I disagree with a penalty notice?

If you disagree with a penalty notice, you may file a dispute. To do this, you can request a screening review within 30 days of the notice's issue date. You will have the opportunity to provide evidence, such as photographs, to support your claims.

A screening officer may:

keep the penalty notice, including any administrative fee(s)
cancel or reduce the penalty notice, including any administrative fee(s)
extend the time for payment of the penalty notice, including any administrative fee(s)

What if I'm not satisfied with a decision?

If you still disagree with the penalty notice after the screening review, you can request a hearing appeal. The hearing appeal must be submitted within 30 days of the screening decision date.

At a hearing appeal, the hearing officer could:

keep the Administrative Penalty, including any administrative fee(s)
cancel or reduce the Administrative Monetary Penalty, including any administrative fee(s)
extend the time for payment of the Administrative Monetary Penalty, including any administrative fee(s)

The hearing officer is not required to make the same decision as the screening officer.

If the hearing officer agrees with the screening officer's decision, you will be required to pay an additional fee of $200. This is added to your total amount due.

If you do not attend your hearing review, you will be charged a fee of $100.

A hearing officer's decision is final.

What happens if I ignore my penalty notice?

Ignoring your penalty notice can:

lead to additional administrative fees
prevent you from being able to request a screening review

If you do not file an appeal request or pay your penalty notice:

after 30 days: a late payment notice will be issued, and additional fees may apply:
after 60 days: the amount owing, including any applicable fees, will be added to the property owner's tax roll and collected as municipal property taxes

for non-residents, the Town may pursue other available collection options

If your penalty notice is related to a vehicle, it could mean that your licence plate renewal may be denied, and additional costs may be owed to the Province of Ontario.

We highly recommend either paying your notice or requesting an appeal as early as possible to avoid any extra fees.

What is financial hardship or undue hardship?

Financial hardship

Financial hardship means being in a situation where paying an administrative penalty or administrative fee would cause serious difficulty. Examples include personal financial circumstances, such as low income, unexpected expenses or limited resources.

Undue hardship

Undue hardship means a situation where paying an Administrative Penalty or Administrative Fee would cause serious difficulty due to financial hardship or other compassionate circumstances, such as illness, family emergencies or loss of income.

Documents to support financial hardship

If you are requesting relief from an administrative penalty or administrative fee due to financial hardship, you must bring documents to your screening review or hearing review that show your financial situation.

Examples of documents that may help support your request include:

Old Age Security (OAS)
Canada Pension Plan (CPP)
Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS)
disability or disability pension benefits
Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP)
any other form of social assistance or income support

You may also bring any other documents that show your income, expenses or financial circumstances.

Being A By-Iaw To Establish A Comprehensive System Of Administrative Monetary Penalties For The Town Of Shelburne.

Reports

Report LS2022-21 Administrative Monetary Penalty System Program (AMPS)
Report LS2024-06 Administrative Monetary Penalty System (AMPS) and Automating Parking Tickets
Report LS2025-01 Administrative Monetary Penalty System (AMPS)

Policies

AMPS 001 Prevention of Political Interference in Administration of AMPS
AMPS 002 Public Complaints Respecting Administration of AMPS
AMPS 003 Financial Management and Reporting for AMPS
AMPS 004 Conflict of Interest in Relation to Administration of AMPS
AMPS 005 Financial Hardship Administration of AMPS
AMPS 006 Extension of Time to Request Screening Hearing Review