What is the Appeal Tribunal? 

The Appeal Tribunal is a group of up to  five (5) individuals appointed by Council who have been granted the authority to make decisions regarding appeals related to infractions or Administrative Monetary Penalties under the following bylaws:  

• Bylaw 2020.11 Short-Term Rental Accommodation Bylaw;
• Bylaw 2020.16 Shorewall Bylaw;
• Bylaw 2005.76 Canine Control Bylaw;
• Bylaw 2013.20 Business Licensing Bylaw; and
• Future bylaws adopted by Ramara Council with appeal provisions.

Requesting an Appeal

A request for an appeal must be submitted to the Township in person or by mail within 15 days after receipt of a penalty notice. The date on the notice is considered to be day one (1). If mailing in the request, please ensure it is received within the 15 day time frame. 

Once an application for an appeal has been received by the Township, along with the $150.00 filing fee, the Tribunal Secretary will send the Appellant and the Tribunal a 'Notice of Hearing' which will contain the date, time and location of the hearing. Hearings take place on an as needed basis. 

Preparing for an Appeal

The Appeal Tribunal hearing format is similar to the format of a court hearing. The following people may be in attendance: 

• One (1) Tribunal Administrator
• One (1) Tribunal Chair
• Up to four (4) Tribunal Members
• One (1) Township of Ramara Case Presenter
• One (1) Township of Ramara Witness (typically the Bylaw Enforcement Officer who laid the penalty or dealt with the file)
• The Appellant(s)
• Members of the Public

During the hearing, all parties will sit in the Council Chambers or another meeting room at the Township of Ramara Administration Building. 

What to bring to an Appeal

To protect your privacy and to ensure a fair hearing, Tribunal Members are only given the Appeal File number and topic beforehand (e.g. an appeal regarding an Administrative Monetary Penalty relating to the Short Term Rental Accommodation Bylaw 2020.11). The complete Appeal Hearing application will be circulated to members of the Tribunal at the start of the hearing.

If you wish to submit additional information into evidence, please bring enough copies for all Tribunal members (6 copies total, for 5 members, plus the Administrator). Note that documents will not be returned to you once entered into evidence. Documents must be legible, and any photos must be clear. 

Appeal Hearing Format

 An agenda will be published here prior to the meeting. When the Tribunal arrives at your appeal, the following may occur: 

1. Appeal Tribunal Coordinator will swear in Township and Appellant’s witnesses
2. Township's Case Presenter will give their opening address and provide copies of their evidence (if applicable)
3. The Appellant will give their opening address and provide copies of their evidence (if applicable)
4. The Township's Case Presenter will provide closing remarks
5. The Appellant will provide closing remarks
6. The Township Case Presenter and the Appellant will then be asked to leave the meeting so the Tribunal can discuss options and make their decision. Both parties will be advised in writing of the Tribunal's decision.