Brampton council is stepping up its efforts to tackle improper garbage storage in both residential and commercial areas by approving significant amendments to the city’s refuse and dumping bylaw. The new measures, which include escalating fines for repeat offenders, are designed to address the problem of overflowing and improperly stored trash bins, particularly focusing on “slum landlords.”
At the April 2 committee meeting, council members endorsed the staff recommendation to implement stricter penalties for those who fail to comply with proper waste storage practices. These amendments are set to be ratified at the next regular council meeting on April 9.
A Growing Issue
Wards 1 and 5 Councillor Rowena Santos expressed frustration with property owners and landlords who neglect to properly store garbage, leading to unpleasant smells, unsightly views, and the attraction of rodents. Santos noted that these issues create an unfair burden for responsible neighbors who take care of their properties. “I’ve had enough of this. We are working on a range of measures to address the worst offences and crack down on those who show a lack of respect for their neighborhoods,” she said in a statement. “If you fail to store your garbage properly, it will now cost you.”
Santos also mentioned that these efforts are part of a broader initiative to improve bylaw compliance, enhance city cleanliness, and make Brampton safer. This includes the city’s residential rental licensing pilot program.
Escalating Fines
A report presented to council revealed that in 2024, the city received 5,568 complaints related to refuse and dumping, with 43% of those complaints linked to repeat offenders. These included properties with multiple violations, ranging from two to more than 15 instances.
Under the previous system, the fine for violations was a flat $250 per offence. The newly approved fine structure introduces escalating penalties: a $250 fine for the first offence, $500 for the second, and $750 for each subsequent violation.
If the new fines had been in effect last year, the city would have generated an additional $77,600 in revenue.
Changes to Garbage Receptacle Oversight
In addition to the new fine structure, the committee also approved a recommendation to transfer oversight of garbage receptacles from the property standards bylaw to the updated refuse and dumping bylaw.
The Region of Peel distributes standard recycling, compost, and garbage carts to all homes in Brampton, and these are the only receptacles permitted for outdoor storage by the city. The new rules require that garbage receptacles:
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Be stored in a clean, sanitary, and functional condition.
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Have the lid closed and secured.
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Not be overloaded or packed in a way that prevents the lid from closing properly.
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Not be stored in a yard that faces the street, with a few exceptions.
These changes are intended to streamline garbage-related inspections and allow summer inspectors to handle service requests more efficiently during their refuse inspections, without requiring additional staff.
Fines for garbage receptacle violations will also see increases. The new fines will be $250 for the first offence, $500 for the second, and $750 for subsequent offences, up from the previous rates of $100, $200, and $300.
With these stricter rules, Brampton aims to improve the overall cleanliness of the city and encourage responsible waste management across the community.
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