Ramara streamlines bylaw enforcement through AMPS process

Ramara, Ont. / May 13, 2026 – At its May 11, 2026, meeting, Ramara Council approved the use of an Administrative Monetary Penalty System (AMPS) to support the Township’s updated Parking Bylaw and to streamline enforcement processes across multiple bylaws beginning June 1, 2026.

“Council’s approval strengthens and standardizes how we administer bylaws at the Township,” said Mayor Basil Clarke. “By aligning our processes with provincial requirements and best practices, we are improving efficiency, reducing delays, and ensuring a consistent experience for residents.”

As part of this approval, the Township will follow the prescribed procedures set out in Ontario Regulation 333/07 for Parking AMPS. These standardized procedures will now be applied across all applicable AMPS bylaws to ensure consistency, transparency, and efficiency in enforcement effective June 1, 2026.

Under the updated process, monetary penalties issued under AMPS will follow the standardized administrative review process, while the Appeals Tribunal will continue to hear appeals related to licence denials, licence revocations, licence conditions, and orders.

The updated AMPS process will now apply to the following bylaws:

·        Parking Bylaw

·        Long Grass and Weeds Bylaw

·        Short-Term Rental Bylaw

·        Licensing Bylaw

·        Canine Control Bylaw

AMPS is a municipally administered system permitted under the Municipal Act, 2001 that allows municipalities to address bylaw infractions through a local administrative process rather than through the traditional court system.

What This Means for Residents

For residents, these updates will make the bylaw enforcement process simpler, faster, and more consistent across the Township:

·        Faster resolution of most bylaw matters through a local administrative process rather than the court system, reducing delays

·        A clear and consistent approach, with the same AMPS procedures applied across multiple bylaws

·        A standardized, review process for disputes, aligned with provincial requirements through an independent third-party Hearing Officer.

·        A more accessible and easier-to-navigate alternative to traditional court proceedings

·        Reduced reliance on the court system, lowering administrative burden and improving timeliness

·        Improved efficiency in enforcement, collections, and overall service delivery

·        A fair, transparent process that reflects provincial requirements and best practices

“This approach allows us to deliver more consistent and efficient service while maintaining fairness and accountability through a third-party hearing officer,” said Brian Rayner, Manager of Bylaw Enforcement. “By aligning all AMPS processes under the same framework, we are improving clarity for residents and strengthening how we administer bylaw enforcement.”

For more information on AMPS, please visit www.ramara.ca/AMPS.

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Media Contact
Melissa Gowanlock
Manager of Communications & Community Experience
705-484-5374 ext. 322
mgowanlock@ramara.ca