Fines and Penalties

Here, you will find the listing of fines and penalty amounts for specific parking and non-parking offences. These penalties are contained within the by-laws. Find easy instructions on how to pay for your penalty.

Pay your penalty notice

Pay by the due date to avoid extra charges. The payment method depends on the penalty notice you received (parking or non-parking related).

Parking penalties

You can pay your parking tickets online.

Paying a Parking Ticket

Non-parking penalties

You can pay your non-parking penalty in a few easy ways:

Request an online payment link: Email screening@niagarafalls.ca
In person: Pay by cash, cheque, or debit at:
- City Hall, 4310 Queen Street, Niagara Falls
- MacBain Community Centre, 7150 Montrose Road, Niagara Falls
By mail: Send a cheque (payable to "City of Niagara Falls") to: City of Niagara Falls, Finance Department, 4310 Queen Street, Niagara Falls, ON, L2E 6X5. Include the penalty notice number on the front of your cheque. Do not send cash by mail.

Request to pay online

How to appeal your penalty notice

Instead of going to court, you can pay or dispute your penalty through a simple and accessible process. This helps resolve matters quickly while reducing the burden on the courts.

Visit our Fines and Penalties Appeals page to find out how to request a screening review to dispute your penalty notice.

List of fines and penalty amounts

Animal control penalties

The offences in this section are regulated under the Animal Control By-law.

Description	Amount
Failing to register a dog with the City.	$100
Failing to renew a dog registration with the City.	$100
Permitting a dog to run at large	$150
Permitting a dog to (bite/attack/chase) a person	$250
Permitting a dog to (bite/attack/chase) an animal	$250
Failing to comply with a notice respecting a dangerous dog	$500
Failing to immediately remove dog feces	$100
Keeping more than three (3) dogs over ten (10) weeks of age on a premises	$150
Permitting livestock to run at large	$300
Owner-(allow/permit) persistent barking by any domestic pet	$200
Owner-(allow/permit) persistent whining by any domestic pet	$200
Owner-(allow/permit) persistent calling by any domestic pet	$200
Owner- fail to comply with Regulations in Schedule “D” as it pertains to the keeping of Chickens	$250
Permitting a cat to run at large	$150
(Keep/Permit to be kept/Harbour) more than three cats on a premise	$150
Obstructing an officer in the execution of (his/her) duties	$300

Fence penalties

The offences in this section are regulated under the Fence By-law.

Description	Amount
No person shall erect, or caused to be erected, or maintain or cause to be maintained, any fence within the municipality unless such fence is a lawful fence.	$350
No fence shall be maintained, or caused to be maintained, in a damaged or disrepaired state of condition by reason of fire, decay or otherwise and all fences shall be constructed or caused to be constructed in a sound manner and shall be straight and true	$350
Subject to section 5 of this By-law, no fence of a height greater than 1 metre above the adjoining ground level, shall be erected or maintained, or caused to be erected or maintained, in any front yard, provided, however, that the portion of any such fence erected or maintained along the side or rear lot line of the rear yard of any adjoining property may be of a height not greater than 2.5 metres.	$300
Subject to section 5 of this By-law, no fence of a height greater than 2.5 metres above the adjoining ground level, shall be erected or maintained, or caused to be erected or maintained, in any rear yard, provided, however, that the portion of any such fence erected or maintained along the side lot line of the front yard of any adjoining lot shall not be of a height greater than 1 metre unless such fence is erected or maintained in the rear yard a corner lot along the side lot line of the front yard of an adjoining property, in which case the fence may be erected or maintained to a height not greater than 2.5 metres.	$300

General and administrative fees and penalties

Description	Amount
Failing to comply with an order	$500
Preventing, hindering or obstructing an Officer	$400
Attempting to hinder or obstruct an Officer	$400
Hinder or obstruct any person exercising power or duty under the Designated By-law	$400
Attempt to hinder or obstruct any person exercising power or duty under the Designated By-law	$400
Late payment fee	$25 per month of delay
Failure to attend a scheduled screening	$50
Failure to attend a scheduled hearing	$100
Land title searching fee	$55
Retrieve registered vehicle owner information from the Ministry of Transportation (MTO)	$10

Noise control penalties

The offences in this section are regulated under the Noise Control By-law.

General noise

Description	Amount
Cause or permit noise or vibration disturbance that interferes with peaceful enjoyment	$300
Persistent yelling, shouting, screaming, whistling, hooting or singing at any time	$300
Persistent barking, whining, calling or other similar sound made by any domestic pet or other animal kept or used for any purpose other than agriculture at any time.	$300
Activation of a security alarm resulting in sound for a duration in excess of five minutes, at any time	$300
The use of any electronic device or group of connected electronic devices incorporating one or more loudspeakers or other electro-mechanical transducers and intended for the production, reproduction or amplification of sound between 9:00 pm one day to 7:00 am the next day, 9:00 am on a Holiday, excluding the exempted areas as set out in Schedule 1 of the By-law.	$300
The playing of music between 9:00 pm one day to 7:00 am the next day, 9:00 am on a Holiday, excluding the exempted areas as set out in Schedule 1 of the By-law.	$300

Noise from vehicles, motors, equipment and tools

Description	Amount
Revving of an engine or motor	$300
Operation of a motor vehicle in such a way that tires squeal	$300
Operation of a motor vehicle, engine, motor, construction equipment or pneumatic device without an effective exhaust, intake-muffling or other sound attenuation device, which device is in good working order and in constant operation.	$300
Operation of a conveyance or a motor vehicle, with or without a trailer, resulting in banging, clanking, squealing or other sounds due to improperly secured loads or equipment or inadequate maintenance.	$300
Operation of a motor vehicle horn or other warning device except where required or authorized by law or in accordance with good safety practices.	$300
Vehicle repairs between 9:00 pm on day and 7:00 am the next day, 9:00 am on a Holiday.	$300
Operation of any power device or non-power device or tool for domestic purposes, except snow blowers, between 9:00 pm one day to 7:00 am the next day, 9:00 am on a Holiday.	$300
Operation of an engine or motor which is used in or is intended for use in, a toy or a model or replica of any device, which toy, model or replica has no function other than amusement and which is not a conveyance, between 9:00 pm one day and 7:00 am the next day, 9:00 am on a Holiday.	$300

Noise from construction, loading, and garbage collection activities

Description	Amount
Operation of construction equipment in connection with construction between 7:00 pm one day and 7:00 am the next day, 9:00 am on a Holiday	$300
The loading, unloading, delivering, packing, unpacking or otherwise handling of any containers, products or materials between 9:00 pm one day to 7:00 am the next day, 9:00 am on a Holiday, excluding the exempted areas as set out in Schedule 1 of the By-law.	$300
Operation of solid waste, refuse, or recyclable bulk-lift or refuse-compacting equipment between 9:00 pm one day to 7:00 am the next day, 9:00 am on a Holiday, excluding the exempted areas as set out in Schedule 1 of the By-law.	$300

Parking - Accessible parking space fines

There is a zero-tolerance enforcement approach to persons who park in accessible parking spaces without a proper permit.

Offence	Regulation	Fine
Parked in a designated accessible parking space without a valid permit	2019-44	$300

Parking - Citywide parking and traffic fines

The offences in this section are regulated under the Traffic and Parking By-law 89-2000.

Offences where vehicles were parked, stopped or left standing	Fine
Facing the wrong way	$33
More than 30cm from edge of road or curb, shoulder	$33
Contrary to designated angle, or within designated space	$28
On a boulevard	$33
Across, on or partly over a sidewalk	$66
In a way that impedes traffic	$66
Within a crosswalk, intersection, median, bridge or tunnel	$66
Within 10m of an intersection or 3m of a fire hydrant	$66
Within 1.5m of a laneway, driveway or curb cut	$33
For servicing the vehicle other than emergency, or for displaying a vehicle for sale	$33
For more than 12 hours	$33
Between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. (no overnight parking)	$33
Large motor vehicle in a residential area	$66
Taxi cabs in metered spaces, vehicles in public bus stops	$66
Parking at an expired meter	$28
Parking where it is prohibited	$33
Stop/stand where it is prohibited	$66

Parking - Fire route fines

If you own private property, you may need to establish fire routes based on your building type. Contact Fire Services if you have any questions.

Offence	Regulation	Fine
Stopped or parked in a fire access route	80-114	$110

Parking - Municipal parking lot fines

Follow the parking rules when you use city-owned parking lots. The offences in this section are regulated under By-law 80-77.

Offence	Fine
Parked longer than permitted	$33
Parked on days not permitted	$33
Parked at an expired meter	$33
Displaying no ticket	$33
Parking without a valid permit	$33

Peddling and solicitation penalties

The offences in this section are regulated under the Illegal Peddling and Solicitation By-law.

Description	Amount
Operate any trade, calling, business or occupation without a licence.	$500
Solicit on a highway on behalf of a commercial parking lot	$500

Playing of band and musical instruments penalties

The offences in this section are regulated under the Playing of Band and Musical Instruments on City Property By-law.

Description	Amount
Playing a musical instrument on a highway, park or public place	$450

Property standards and clean yard penalties

The offences in this section are regulated under the Property Standards By-law.

Description	Amount
Maintenance of yards and exterior paths of travel: No yard shall contain dilapidated, collapsed or partially constructed structures which are not currently under construction.	$350
Retaining walls: All retaining walls and accessory buildings shall be kept in good repair and free from health and safety hazards and shall be protected by paint, preservative or other weather resistant material.	$350
Pest Prevention: All buildings shall be kept free of conditions that would permit or cause an infestation of rodents, vermin and insects. Methods used for exterminating rodents, vermin or insects shall be in accordance with the provisions of the Environmental Protect Act, the Pesticides Act and any other applicable regulations, acts or municipal by-laws.	$350
Heating and cooling systems: Every dwelling unit shall be provided with a heating system capable of continuously maintaining an indoor air temperature of not less than: (1) 22°C [72°F] in all habitable rooms and interior living spaces (excluding attached garages); (2) 22°C [72°F] in unfinished basement spaces; and (3) 15°C [59°F] in heated crawlspaces.	$350
Landlord responsibilities: Every landlord shall provide adequate vital services to each of the landlord’s occupied residential rental units, and no landlord shall cease to provide a vital service for a residential rental unit if it is occupied by the tenant.	$500
Obligations and prohibitions: No Owner or occupant of property shall use, occupy, allow, permit or acquiesce in the use or occupation of the property unless such property conforms to the standards prescribed in the Property Standards By-law.	$450
Obligations and prohibitions: No person, being the Owner, tenant or occupant of a property, shall fail to maintain the property in conformity with the standards required by the Property Standards By-law.	$450

The offences in this section are regulated under the Clean Yard By-law.

Description	Amount
Failure to keep drain in operative state.	$250
Failure to alter drain as required.	$250
Throw or deposit refuse on private or public land.	$250
Failure to provide sanitary disposal of sewage and drainage.	$250
Failure to keep land free and clear of refuse.	$250
Failure to cover refuse as may be prescribed by the Manager in writing.	$250
Storing vehicle for wrecking or dismantling them, or salvaging parts for sale or other disposal.	$250
Parking or storing of any vehicles on on-surfaced parking areas.	$250
Grass not kept less than 20 cm in height.	$250

Provide adequate heat penalties

The offences in this section are regulated under the Require Adequate Heat – Rental By-law.

Description	Amount
Failure to provide adequate and suitable heat in a dwelling unit.	$500

Public nuisance penalties

The offences in this section are regulated under the Public Nuisance By-law.

Description	Amount
Urinate/defecate/vomit/spit in a public place	$500
Knock over a Canada Post mailbox /newspaper box /bench/fence/blue box/garbage can, or other structure or object in a public place	$400
Attempt to knock over a Canada Post mailbox/newspaper box/bench/fence /blue box/garbage container or other structure or object in a public place	$400
Loiter in a public place	$500
Participate in a fight in any public place	$500
Mark or apply graffiti on any public place, including signs, or private property	$500
Leave/throw/deposit any bottles/glass or other materials on public or private property	$500
Cause, permit or allow large doors or garage type doors of premises serving alcohol to remain open after 11:00 pm	$450

Sign penalties

The offences in this section are regulated under the Sign By-law.

Description	Amount
Except for signs referred to in section 3.5.1, no person shall erect, display or maintain a sign on private property unless a permit is obtained under the provisions of this By-law prior to the erection for that sign.	$450
Any sign not expressly permitted by this Bylaw is prohibited and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the following signs are specifically prohibited: (a) A sign located on or over public property; (b) Bench sign; (c) A sign located so as to obstruct the view of any pedestrian or motorist so as to cause an unsafe condition; (d) A sign attached to or displayed on a vehicle or trailer which is parked or located for the primary purpose of displaying the sign or advertisement; (e) A sign which obstructs or is located in a parking space that is required to enable the premises upon which the portable or temporary sign is located to comply with the requirements of a City of Niagara Falls Zoning By-law; (f) A sign located in a daylight triangle; (g) An inflatable sign; (h) No sign located within 30 metres of an intersection shall contain any green or red lettering or graphics that are illuminated or flashing; (i) Any sign which violates in any way any statute, regulation or by-law of the Government of Canada, the Province of Ontario, the Region or the City.	$400
No sign shall be located so as to obstruct the view of the movement of traffic or pedestrians upon any street or railway crossing to persons using or seeking to use the street or railway crossing or of the view of any traffic signal located on or near the street, lane, highway or railway crossing.	$400
Except where otherwise permitted, no sign shall be fixed, attached to or painted onto a fence, board, tree, transit shelter, splash guard, safety or guard rail, utility pole, street furniture, trash or recycling bin.	$400
A sign must be located or displayed at a location where that type of sign is permitted and must comply with the regulation applicable to that type of sign in that location.	$350

Swimming pool penalties

The offences in this section are regulated under the Swimming Pool By-law.

Description	Amount
No person shall excavate for, or erect, or cause or permit excavation for, or erection of, any outdoor swimming pool and/or swimming pool enclosure without first obtaining a permit from the Chief Building Official.	$400
An outdoor swimming pool or private spa shall not be located within any front yard.	$200
An outdoor swimming pool shall have no interior wall surface located within 1.8m [5.9 ft.] of the main wall of any dwelling on such lot or on any adjoining lot.	$250
An outdoor swimming pool shall have no interior wall surface located within 1.8m [5.9 ft.] of the main wall of any primary building on such lot or on any adjoining lot.	$250
The owner of any lands on which an outdoor swimming pool is located or erected shall erect a swimming pool enclosure around the entire swimming pool area, in accordance with the provisions of this by-law.	$400
The height of a swimming pool enclosure required by this by-law shall be a minimum of 1.07m [42 in.] in height, as measured from ground level at the exterior face of the enclosure.	$350
No person shall keep an outdoor swimming pool or private spa unless it is maintained in good repair and working condition.	$250
No person shall cause or permit an outdoor swimming pool or private spa to contain standing water for a period in excess of three (3) days.	$250

Vacation rental units and owner occupied short-term rentals penalties

The offences in this section are regulated under the Vacation Rental Units and Owner Occupied Short-Term Accommodations By-law.

Description	Amount
Own or operate, or permit the operation of a Vacation Rental Unit without a current valid licence.	$1000 once per day of a continuing contravention
Own or operate, or permit the operation of an Owner Occupied Short-Term Accommodation without a valid licence.	$1000 once per day of a continuing contravention
Own or operate a Vacation Rental Unit or an Owner Occupied Short-Term Accommodation other than in accordance with the terms and conditions of a licence, the terms and conditions of the by-law.	$1000 once per day of a continuing contravention
Advertise, promote, broker, or offer for rent or lease a Vacation Rental Unit without a current valid licence.	$1000 once per day of a continuing contravention
Advertise, promote, broker, or offer for rent an Owner Occupied Short-Term Accommodation without a current valid licence.	$1000 once per day of a continuing contravention
Alter or modify or permit the alteration or modification of a licence.	$1000 once per day of a continuing contravention
Use or attempt to use a licence issued to another person.	$1000 once per day of a continuing contravention
Own, operate or carry on any business in any other name other than in the name that appears on the licence.	$1000 once per day of a continuing contravention
Knowingly makes a false statement in an application, declaration, affidavit or paper writing required by by-law or the City.	$1000 once per day of a continuing contravention
Contravene any provision set out in any municipal by-law, federal or provincial act, statute, or any other legislation applicable to the licensed premises.	$1000 once per day of a continuing contravention plus a one-time charge of all legal fees and disbursements incurred by the City in any resulting prosecution.
Remove an order or placard posted on the premises under the by-law, except an Officer.	$1000 once per day of a continuing contravention
Own, operate or carry on any business while a licence is under an administrative suspension.	$1000 once per day of a continuing contravention
Discriminate against any member of the public in the carrying on, conducting or operating of a Bed and Breakfast establishment or a Vacation Rental Unit on the basis of race, colour, creed, gender or sexual orientation.	$1000 once per day of a continuing contravention

City of Niagara Falls
4310 Queen Street
P.O. Box 1023
Niagara Falls, ON L2E 6X5
Canada
905-356-7521
service@niagarafalls.ca