In line with ongoing improvements to the Residential Rental Licensing Pilot (RRL), which will be expanding city-wide, and strengthening bylaw enforcement, the City of Brampton has approved important updates to its Administrative Penalty System (APS) to increase penalties that are more aligned with the City’s ongoing commitment to community safety and enforcing repeat and egregious offenders. These changes apply to both parking and non-parking by-laws, to help better address safety risks, recurrent violations, and enforcement demands. While the RRL has successfully brought more compliance, these increases in fines and fees are to specifically deal with the worst and persistent violators.
During the recent Council meeting, Councillor Santos pushed for and supported these updates and highlighted the positive impacts of the Residential Rental Licensing (RRL) program in improving neighborhood safety and character,and reducing illegal rental unit complaints in Wards 1 and 5.
Why These Changes Matter
City staff confirmed that the revised penalties were reviewed to better reflect the level of risk associated with each violation. The objective is to prioritize safety, improve compliance, and ensure that bad actors — not responsible residents or landlords — bear the costs associated with inspections and enforcement.
Mayor Patrick Brown reiterated this approach, noting that Brampton continues to waive Residential Rental Licensing (RRL) fees so responsible landlords are not penalized. Instead, higher penalties are targeted at serious violations such as unsafe bedroom conversions, fire code risks, and illegal rooming houses that place tenants, families, and first responders at risk.
Councillor Rowena Santos emphasized the significant improvements delivered through the RRL pilot program, including:
- Increased compliance in previously non-compliant rental properties
- Reduction in neighbourhood complaints
- Clear identification and enforcement against repeat violators
- Visible improvements to neighbourhood property standards and character
Staff also confirmed that education and voluntary compliance remain the first step for first-time complaints wherever possible, with fines applied when necessary to address ongoing or dangerous violations.
Financial Impact
The changes are expected to generate an estimated $1.97 million in additional revenue in 2026. This reflects cost recovery for investigations and enforcement activities, not increased taxation.
What’s Changing?
Parking Penalties
- Obstructing Sidewalk: $50 (1st), $75 (2nd), $100 (3rd).
- Parking within 3m of Fire Hydrant: $100 → $300 for repeat offences.
- Parking in Fire Route: $150 → $350 for third offence.
- Interfering with Snow Clearing: $250 → $750 for third offence.
Non-Parking Penalties
- Additional Residential Units: Failure to register now $1,000 (1st), $1,500 (3rd).
- Ground Cover & Property Maintenance: $250 → $750 for repeated violations.
- Pool Fence Enclosure: $350 → $1,000 for third offence.
- Occupancy Standards: Unsafe sleeping arrangements $1,000 → $1,500.
- Refuse & Dumping: $250 → $750 for repeated offences.
- Rental Licensing: Operating without a license $750 → $1,500.
- Snow Clearing: $250 → $750 for repeated offences.
- Vital Services: Failure to provide heat or water $350 → $1,000.
Councillor Rowena Santos underscored that responsible landlords — who make up the overwhelming majority — are complying with by-laws and benefiting from clearer standards. The strengthened penalties are directed at chronic offenders who ignore safety requirements, undermine neighbourhood character and quality of life, and put residents at risk.
Next Steps for Residents
- Effective January 1, 2026: Updated penalties will apply.
- Education-first approach: First-time offenders may be contacted for voluntary compliance on a case-by-case basis following investigation.
