The purpose of the AMPS by-law is to establish an Administrative Monetary Penalties System (AMPS) for clean and safe property by-law violations in the Township of Lanark Highlands. This trial system aims to promote compliance with the Township's by-law by imposing administrative penalties for contraventions.

Administrative Monetary Penalties are financial penalties imposed by the Township for non-compliance with designated by-laws. These penalties are not punitive in nature but are intended to encourage compliance with the Township's regulations.

For the one-year AMPS trial, the Clean and Safe Properties By-law will be the only by-law included in the Administrative Monetary Penalty System.

The specific contraventions and corresponding administrative penalties are set out in the schedules to the AMPS By-law.

Penalties are issued by the Clerk where the Clerk has reason to believe, based on an investigation conducted by a By-law Enforcement Officer, that a person has contravened the designated by-law. Once a contravention has been confirmed, the Clerk will issue a Penalty Notice to the person as soon as reasonably practicable.

A Penalty Notice includes the name of the property owner, the date of the contravention, the penalty notice number, the name and signature of the issuing officer, the short form wording for the contravention, the location of the contravention, the amount of the administrative penalty, the due date for payment, payment options, and information on how to request a review of the penalty.

If a penalty is not paid within 15 days of the date of service of the Penalty Notice, the penalty and any applicable administrative fees are deemed to be affirmed and payable. Late payments will be subject to a late payment fee.

Yes, a person who has been issued a Penalty Notice can request a review of the penalty by a Screening Officer. If the person is not satisfied with the decision of the Screening Officer, they can request a hearing with a Hearing Officer. Decisions made by the Hearing Officer are final and binding.

Penalties constitute a debt to the Township and may be added to the tax roll of a property located in the Township if not paid within 15 days. The Township may also initiate other proceedings or seek other remedies permitted by law to prevent the continuation or repetition of the contravention.

A person who has been issued a Penalty Notice can request a Screening Review by submitting a request in writing to the Screening Officer. The request must be made within 15 days of the date of service of the Penalty Notice.

During a Screening Review, the Screening Officer will review the Penalty Notice and any submissions made by the person who received the notice. The Screening Officer may confirm, cancel, or reduce the amount of the Administrative Penalty.

Yes, if a person is not satisfied with the decision of the Screening Officer, they can request a hearing with a Hearing Officer. The request for a hearing must be made within 15 days of the date of the Screening Officer's decision.

A Hearing Officer conducts hearings to review the decisions made by Screening Officers. The Hearing Officer has the authority to confirm, cancel, or reduce the amount of the Administrative Penalty.

Hearings can be conducted in person, by conference telephone, or by other electronic means that allow participants to hear one another.

If a person fails to appear for a hearing, they may be charged a Hearing Non-Appearance Fee. The Hearing Officer may proceed with the hearing in the person's absence and make a decision based on the available information.

If an Administrative Penalty is not paid within 15 days of the date of service of the Penalty Notice, the penalty and any applicable administrative fees are deemed to be affirmed and payable. The person will also be liable to pay a late payment fee.

Yes, if an Administrative Penalty is not paid within 15 days, it may be added to the tax roll of a property located in the Township. This means that the penalty will become a debt to the Township and can be collected in the same manner as property taxes.