The Town of Carleton Place Administrative Monetary Penalty System (AMPS) streamlines the enforcement of minor by-law infractions, reducing court congestion and promoting compliance. It shifts dispute resolution from the courtroom to the Town, where Screening Officers can review, modify, or cancel penalties, and Hearing Officers provide final decisions. Penalty notices can be issued in person, by mail, or by email. The system offers a local, accessible dispute resolution process, encouraging adherence to municipal standards.
AMPS employs a tiered penalty system, escalating based on the frequency and severity of infractions to deter repeat offenses. By resolving disputes locally, it reduces the strain on the judicial system and allows for quicker resolutions. This efficient approach enhances accessibility, ensures fairness, and promotes better compliance with city by-laws.
For general inquiries as it relates to AMPS, please contact sblair@carletonplace.ca.
You have 15 days from the date the penalty notice was issued to either pay the penalty, or submit a screening review:
Pay the Penalty Notice:
- By calling 613-257-6200;
- In person at the Town Hall – 175 Bridge Street, Carleton Place, Ontario, K7C 2V8 (confirm hours of operation https://carletonplace.ca);
- By mailing a cheque or money order (Do Not Mail Cash) to: The Town of Carleton Place – 175 Bridge Street, Carleton Place, Ontario, K7C 2V8. Write the Penalty Notice number on the front of your cheque or money order and make it payable to: The Town of Carleton Place.
OR Submit a Screening Review
Step 1
Submit a request for a screening review either in person at the Town Hall or by email – amps@carletonplace.ca. (Will link to screening review form)
Please include the following information:
- Penalty Notice Number
- The person/company named on the Penalty Notice
- The e-mail address of the person requesting the review or the extension
If you require an in-person or phone Screening Review, please contact amps@carletonplace.ca
- All in-Person Screening reviews are held at the Town of Carleton Place Town Hall:
175 Bridge Street, Carleton Place, Ontario, K7C 2V8
- Failure to appear at your scheduled Screening Review may result in additional fees.
Step 2
Include the following in your review:
- Why you think your Penalty Notice should be cancelled or varied
- Why any fees should be cancelled or varied
- Why you require additional time to pay
- Authorized Agent Form (Will link to Authorized Agent form)
- Include any supporting documents
Step 3
A Screening Officer will review your submission and email you the decision.
After receiving the Screening Decision from the Screening Officer, if you do not agree with their decision, you may choose to appeal the Screening Officer’s decision to the Hearing Officer, by requesting a Hearing Review appointment. This request must be made within 15 days of the date of the Screening Decision.*Please note that you cannot request a screening by mail..
How is a Penalty Notice Issued?
A Town of Carleton Place Municipal Law Enforcement Officer can issue a Penalty Notice for a violation by:
- Delivering 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 3rd day after it is mailed);
- Sending it by email to the person’s last known email address.
I just received a Penalty Notice. What are my options?
If you have received a Penalty Notice, you must choose one of the two options below within 15 days from the date the Penalty Notice was issued to avoid late payment or other administrative fees.
Option 1: Pay the Penalty Notice within 15 days:
- By calling 613-257-6200;
- In person at the Town Hall – 175 Bridge Street, Carleton Place, Ontario, K7C 2V8 (confirm hours of operation https://carletonplace.ca);
- By mailing a cheque or money order (Do Not Mail Cash) to: The Town of Carleton Place – 175 Bridge Street, Carleton Place, Ontario, K7C 2V8. Write the Penalty Notice number on the front of your cheque or money order and make it payable to: The Town of Carleton Place.
Option 2: Dispute the Penalty Notice by submitting a screening request within 15 days from the date of issuance.
How can I dispute my Penalty Notice?
Submit a request for a screening review either in person at the Town Hall or by email – amps@carletonplace.ca.
Please include the following information:
- Penalty Notice Number
- The person/company named on the Penalty Notice
- The e-mail address of the person requesting the review or the extension
If you require an in-person or phone Screening Review, please contact amps@carletonplace.ca
All in-Person Screening reviews are held at the Town of Carleton Place Town Hall:
175 Bridge Street, Carleton Place, Ontario, K7C 2V8
Failure to appear at your scheduled Screening Review may result in additional fees.
I need an Interpreter to assist me during my Screening Review or Hearing Review
If you need an interpreter, you are responsible for having a person to assist you during your Screening or Hearing Review appointment. The Town does not provide an interpreter.
Can I authorize someone to act on my behalf?
Anyone can make payment on your behalf as long as they have your Penalty Notice.
A defendant may authorize another individual to represent them during a Screening or Hearing Review appointment. To do so, the Authorization to Act as an Agent Form must be completed and presented at the time of the appointment.
What if I missed the deadline to schedule a Screening Review?
Under extenuating or extreme circumstances (such as death or illness etc.), you may be granted an extension to request a Screening Review appointment. Documentation may be requested. Call 613-257-6212 or e-mail amps@carletonplace.ca for more details.
What 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 affirmed and you will be required to pay a fee for failing to attend the appointment as set out in the confirmation of appointment email. The fee for failure to appear at a scheduled appointment is $100 for a Screening Review, and $200 for a Hearing Review.
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 on or before the payment due date listed on your Screening Decision Notice. At the Hearing Review appointment, you can provide evidence to support your claim. Hearing Review appointment, you can provide evidence to support your claim. The Hearing Officer’s decision is final.
Can someone else act on my behalf during a Screening Review or Hearing Review appointment?
Yes. The registered vehicle owner or person named on the penalty notice can authorize another person to act as your representative during an in-person Screening Review or Hearing Review appointment. You must complete the Authorization to Act as an Agent Form prior to the appointment and send it to amps@carletonplace.ca
I just received a Past Due Notice, now what?
If you received a Past Due Notice, this means that the Town has not received payment of the Penalty Notice or you have not requested a Screening Review appointment within the required timeframe. 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 Penalty Notice. The total amount of all outstanding fine(s) and fees, could be added to your municipal property taxes (for Carleton Place residents) or sent to a third-party collection agency, where additional fees will be added.
Are there any additional administrative fees?
Yes. Under specific circumstances administrative fees can be applied to your total amount due. For example, administrative fees are applied to late payments, failure to attend a scheduled Screening Review or Hearing Review appointment.
Below is a table of the applicable Administrative Fees:
Late Payment of Administrative Fee Screening – $50
Screening No Show – $100
Hearing No Show – $200
Hearing Review Adjudication Fee – $50
Contact: Stacey Blair, Clerk, Town of Carleton Place, 175 Bridge Street, Carleton Place ON K7C 2V8 sblair@carletonplace.ca