Managing AMPS
The Town of Smooth Rock Falls uses the Administrative Monetary Penalty System (AMPS) to manage and resolve violations of its regulatory bylaws and certain provincial regulations. This includes matters such as short-term rentals, noise, open-air burning, and more.
AMPS is designed to make bylaw enforcement more efficient and to encourage greater compliance. Instead of going through the court system, penalty disputes are handled locally by the Town’s Screening and Hearing Officers. These officers have the authority to adjust, cancel, or confirm penalties, offering a faster, more accessible, and community-based resolution process.
To learn more, you can review the consolidated Administrative Monetary Penalty System Bylaw, as amended, and explore the questions below to better understand how the process works.
Paying a Penalty Notice
Pay Online
By E-transfer: by sending to amps@townsrf.ca
Other Methods
Pay in person: using cash, cheque, or debit at the Town of Smooth Rock Falls Town Hall located at 142 First Ave, Smooth Rock Falls, ON.
Drop Box: by leaving payment in the 24/7 drop box located at the front door of the Town Hall at 142 First Ave, Smooth Rock Falls, ON.
Pay by Mail: forward cheque or money order payable to the Town of Smooth Rock Falls. Write Penalty Notice Number on the front of the cheque or money order and mail to : Town of Smooth Rock Falls, 142 First Ave, P.O. Box 249, Smooth Rock Falls, ON P0L 2B0
DO NOT SEND CASH BY MAIL
Payment is NOT considered complete until is it received by the Town and must be received on or before the applicable due date. Post-dated cheques or payments by installment will NOT be accepted. NSF cheques or late payments are subject to an additional administrative fee.
Dispute a Penalty Notice
Screening Review
Every person who is issued a Penalty Notice has the right to dispute the Penalty Notice by requesting a Screening Review within 15 days of the issuance of the Penalty Notice.
After review of a Screening Review request, a Screening Officer may:
- affirm the administrative penalty, including any administrative fee(s)
- cancel or reduce the Administrative Penalty, including any administrative fee(s),
- or extend the time for payment of the administrative penalty, including any administrative fee(s)
If you wish to dispute your penalty notice, complete and submit the Screening Review Request Form using one of the options:
1. Fill out the AMPS Appeal Form and email the completed form to the Clerk, Nathalie Vachon at nathalie.vachon@townsrf.ca.
2. In-Person: Town of Smooth Rock Falls Town Hall, during regular business hours.
Hearing Appeal
Within fifteen (15) days following receipt of a Screening Decision, a person shall have the
option to:
a) Remit the total amount owing as set out in the Screening Decision; or
b) Request a Hearing Appeal of the Screening Decision by a Hearing Officer.
1. Fill out the AMPS Appeal Form and email the completed form to the Clerk, Nathalie Vachon at nathalie.vachon@townsrf.ca.
2. In-Person: Town of Smooth Rock Falls Town Hall, during regular business hours.
Request for Extension of Time
If the request is not submitted within that timeframe, the Person may apply for an extension of time to request a Hearing Appeal. This request must be submitted no later than 45 days after the date of the Screening Decision.
An extension request may be granted at the sole discretion of the Clerk where:
a) The person demonstrates that mitigating or extenuating circumstances existed that prevented them from submitting a timely request for appeal; and/or
b) The Person provides satisfactory written documentation or supporting materials to substantiate the existence of such mitigating or extenuating circumstances.
1. Fill out the AMPS Appeal Form and email the completed form to the Clerk, Nathalie Vachon at nathalie.vachon@townsrf.ca
2. In-Person: Town of Smooth Rock Falls Town Hall, during regular business hours.
Additional Information
AMPS Overview
You are encourage to review your rights and responsibilities respecting your Penalty Notice as set out in the Administrative Monetary Penalty Systems By-law which is available here By-Law No. 2025-47; AMPS Program, along with other forms and information respecting the process by which you may exercise your right to request a review.
By making a voluntary payment you waive the right to dispute the Penalty Notice.
Why You Should Act Now
To avoid additional administrative fees, we strongly recommend making your payment promptly or file a screening review. Failure to do so within the first 15 days will result in the following actions:
After 15 days: A late payment notice will be issued, and additional administrative fees will be applied.
After 45 days: The Administrative Penalty and any applicable fees will be added to the property owner’s tax roll and collected as municipal taxes. For non-residents, the Township may pursue other available collection methods.
Act early to prevent extra charges and ensure timely compliance.
Additional Fees You Could Incur
Late payment of administrative penalty – $50
Screening review non-appearance fee – $50
Hearing appeal non-appearance fee – $50
Hearing review adjudication fee – $25
Complaint Process
If you have a complaint, you may register your complaint by completing the complaint form and sending it by email to: townhall@townsrf.ca
The Township keeps the identity of every complainant confidential unless the complainant has agreed to be identified.
Remember you must provide the following information when filing a complaint:
– Complainant name, telephone number and email
– Complaint location (address)
– A satisfactory explanation of the complaint and details that would assist
Complaints will be investigated as soon as possible.
Policies
Policies for AMPS can be found here
