Illegal Land Use: Trucking

Addressing illegal trucking

The Town has appointed a new Illegal Land Use Task Force (ILUTF) to identify and address illegal land uses through enforcement, policy change and public education.

Calling for provincial support

The Town can issue by-law violation notices and seek compliance through legal channels, however in Ontario, municipalities have limited authority to enforce operators to comply with applicable bylaws. 

The Town has continued to advocate for increased fines, the ability to prevent entry to properties and to include imposed fines on the title of a property. 

 Stronger legislation

Town and Council are advocating to the province for: 

  • Amendments to the Municipal Act to allow municipalities to physically bar entry to properties where illegal land use has significant detrimental impacts on adjacent residential properties, the environment or creates unsafe situations. 

  • Amendments to the Planning Act to increase maximum penalty amounts to $50,000 for individuals on a first offence, and up to $25,000 for each subsequent day the contravention has continued; and, include provisions to ensure corporations are liable for fines of up to $100,000 on a first offence, and up to $50,000 for each subsequent day the contravention has continued.
A timeline of activity
 A resident's guide
What's the issue?

In Caledon and across the region, trucks are being parked and stored where it's not allowed. 

 

Trucks are often parked:

  • In yards or fields that aren't zoned for trucks
  • On agricultural and residential properties

 

What is the Town doing?

The Town wants to support legal trucking operations and protect our community by:

  • Educating truck drivers and property owners about legal trucking options
  • Identifying illegal truck yards
  • Fining individuals and/or companies who break the rules
  • Prosecuting serious or repeat offenders

 

How is the Town enforcing the rules?

If someone is breaking the rules:

Report

  • A complaint is submitted by a resident or observed by a by-law officer.
     

Inspection

  • A by-law officer visits the property to investigate.

Enforcement

  • If a violation is found, the property owner may be given a verbal warning, issued a notice or order requiring compliance or fined.

Prosecution

  • If compliance is not achieved, the Town may pursue the matter through the Provincial Offences Court, which may result in higher fines, court orders and possible injunctions.

 

What other enforcement powers does the Town have?

The Town can also identify other by-law contraventions, such as:

  • Fill or Site Alteration
  • Clean Yards
  • Fence
  • Property Standards
  • Building Code
  • Fire Code
  • Undertake the work to correct the contravention and recover the costs by adding them to the property's tax role

 

What can residents do?

Report illegal truck storage

Call Service Caledon: 

3-1-1 or 905-584-2272 extension 7750

Or email: info@caledon.ca
 

If you're unsure if truck storage is allowed on your land, contact:

 

 

Illegal Trucking Depot Complaints Map

We are actively investigating complaints received regarding illegal transportation depots. To increase transparency and create greater public awareness, we have created an interactive map that shares information about what we are doing to address the issue.  

Report illegal trucking 

If you suspect a property is being used illegally, we encourage you to report it. 

Contact Service Caledon at 3-1-1 or email info@caledon.ca. 

  • Provide details about the property, including the address (if known) or a general description of the location. 
  • Provide any photographs, videos, or information regarding significant changes to the property, such as the addition of fill or alterations to the land grade. 

You must share the information listed below to file a complaint:  

  • Your full name 
  • Your address 
  • Your telephone number 

We do not investigate anonymous complaints.

 What information can be shared
The information contained within this map may be shared by law. While the Town is actively working to enhance the functionality of this map and ensure transparency, no additional details about active investigations may be shared according to the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA). Once an investigation is concluded and the file is closed, additional information may be requested by anyone through a Municipal Freedom of Information Request Freedom of Information Requests - Town of Caledon.