Parking tickets in King Township: option of 'first attendance hearing'

Yorkregion.com
March 9, 2016
By Tim Kelly

As minimum parking ticket fines jump 33 per cent while the number of tickets skyrocket in King Township, the municipality is offering worn-out residents a bit of relief.

King bylaw officers wrote 687 parking tickets in 2015 - almost as many as they wrote in all of 2012, 2013 and 2014 combined, when the number totalled 715.

According to a bylaw report submitted to King council at its Feb. 22 meeting, harsh winter conditions, GO Station West Street parking lot construction and increased evening and weekend enforcement in response to complaints in the township’s newer subdivisions led to the increased 2015 ticket count.

As to the parking ticket fine increase, the township says it is bumping the minimum fine from $30 to $40 to “match increases across York Region.” It also wants to deter illegal parking.

The good news for those ticketed is that they will have the option - it’s called a first attendance hearing - to ask a bylaw officer for a reduction or elimination of their fine.

“Adding this new option will reduce the amount of time spent in court by staff, court administration and defendants. The goal is to resolve parking matters out of court,” King Township clerk Kathryn Moyle said. Moyle is also head of King’s bylaw department.

“This will lead to a direct reduction in cost to King Township and a better customer service experience for defendants,” Moyle said.

According to a news release provided by the Township, “other municipalities typically offer a 50 per cent reduction of the fine if it’s confirmed to be a first offence and a valid explanation is provided, such as parking illegally for an emergency situation. Under unique and rare cases, some tickets may be cancelled entirely.”

Those who want to dispute a ticket can request a hearing at the township office at 2075 King Rd. between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Tuesdays to Thursdays.

The township advises hearings are time-sensitive so says requests need to be made promptly. It also says requests for trial will no longer be accepted by mail.