The Administrative Monetary Penalty System (AMPS) is a municipal alternative to the provincial court system that administers and adjudicates by-law offences. The AMPS program of enforcement transfers parking and by-law disputes from the courtroom to the municipality, which is more efficient. Most disputes are resolved within 45 days.

The Municipality of North Grenville passed a by-law to implement an Administrative Monetary Penalty System in November 2024, to be effective January 2nd, 2025.

Under the structure of Administrative Penalties, when an enforcement officer issues a Penalty Notice, to a person or a vehicle in violation of a municipality’s by-law, the penalty becomes a balance due to the municipality. Once issued, there are two options available to the defendant which include contesting the penalty notice through a screening review with a Screening Officer. In the event that a defendant is not in agreement with the decision of a Screening Officer, the defendant can appeal the decision to a Hearing Officer for an additional review. The decision of a Hearing Officer is considered final and binding. An AMP system provides control to the municipality with respect to the timelines associated to the life of a penalty notice as the process is no longer hindered by the backlogged Provincial Court system. Because administrative penalties are imposed without a court hearing, policies are put in place (e.g. conflict of interest, political interference) to ensure that the hearing process for imposing a penalty is fair and in accordance with the principals of natural justice. AMP systems have been upheld by the courts as appropriate for matters under provincial control.

A Penalty Notice can be issued on a vehicle, personally, or by mail.

Online: A Penalty Notice can be paid online by clicking the Pay a Penalty Notice button displayed on this page.

In Person:  By attending the municipal office located at 285 County Road 44, Kemptville ON and paying by debit, cash, money order, or cheque, payable to: Municipality of North Grenville.

By Mail: Using a cheque or money order payable to the Municipality of North Grenville sent to 285 County Road 44, PO Box 130, Kemptville, ON K0G 1J0.

Failure to respond to a Penalty Notice by the due date - either by paying the penalty or scheduling a Screening Review - results in an automatic forfeiture of your right to a review. The Administrative Penalty is then deemed affirmed and is no longer subject to appeal. Additional administrative fees will also be applied to the Penalty.

Parking matters: A notice of default will then be sent to the Ministry of Transportation, which will lead to the denial of your Ontario Vehicle Permit renewal.

Other matters: Any unpaid Administrative Penalties and associated fees will be considered a debt to the Municipality. If applicable, these amounts may be added to your property tax roll and collected in the same manner as property taxes. Furthermore, the Municipality reserves the right to forward outstanding accounts to a collection agency.

The Administrative Monetary Penalty System provides a mechanism for the recipient of a Penalty Notice to dispute the Administrative Penalty. It is important to note that AMPS By-Law No. 107-24 clearly outlines the criteria for when a Screening or a Hearing Officer can cancel, reduce and/or extend the time period to pay a Penalty Notice.

A Screening or Hearing Officer may cancel or reduce the Administrative Penalty or extend the time for payment on the following grounds:

1. Where the Officer is satisfied that the contravention as set out in the Penalty Notice was not proven; or
2. Where the Officer is satisfied, that the cancellation, reduction or extension of the time for payment, is necessary to reduce any undue hardship.

*The Screening and Hearing Officers cannot cancel or reduce a Penalty Notice for any other reason.

Online: You can request a Screening Officer review by clicking on the Dispute a Penalty Notice button on this page. The system will guide you through the required process.

In Person: Complete the Screening Review Request Form found in the Documents section on this webpage and bring it with you to the municipal office located at 285 County Road 44, Kemptville ON.

Failure to attend a scheduled appointment will result in the penalty notice being affirmed, and the defendant will incur an additional fee for non-attendance. The fee for failing to appear at a Screening Review appointment is $60, while the fee for missing a Hearing Review appointment is $100.

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.

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.