Brampton is stepping up its efforts to tackle improper garbage storage, with city council approving new amendments to the refuse and dumping bylaw aimed at holding residents, landlords, and businesses accountable for overflowing and improperly stored trash. These changes, which are set to be ratified at the next regular council meeting on April 9, will introduce escalating fines for repeat offenders, with a particular focus on “slum landlords.”
During the April 2 committee meeting, Brampton city council members endorsed a proposal that will implement higher fines for individuals and property owners who repeatedly violate the garbage storage rules. Wards 1 and 5 Coun. Rowena Santos expressed frustration with the ongoing issue, highlighting the negative impact on the community. “Together with many residents, I’ve had enough of property owners and landlords who don’t care about their overflowing garbage and improperly stored trash bins, which have caused unpleasant smells, unsightly views, and attracted rodents,” Santos said in a media release.
The new fine structure aims to address what Santos described as “slum landlords” who neglect their properties and make life difficult for their neighbors. “If you do not properly store your garbage or follow basic standards, you will now feel it in your pocketbook,” she added. These measures are part of a larger initiative to improve bylaw compliance and keep the city cleaner and safer, which also includes the introduction of a residential rental licensing pilot program.
A staff report presented to the council revealed that in 2024, there were 5,568 bylaw complaints related to refuse and dumping. Of these complaints, 43% were repeat offenders, including 1,986 properties with two to five violations, 307 with six to 10, and 51 with more than 15 infractions. Previously, the fine for all offences was a flat rate of $250, but under the new structure, fines will increase to $500 for a second offence and $750 for any subsequent violations.
City staff estimated that if the new fines had been in place last year, the city would have generated an additional $77,600 in revenue.
The committee also approved a second recommendation to transfer the oversight of garbage receptacles from the property standards bylaw to the updated refuse and dumping bylaw. This change will ensure that only the recycling, compost, and garbage carts distributed by the Region of Peel are stored outdoors, in line with the city’s new guidelines.
The new regulations specify that garbage receptacles must:
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Be kept clean, sanitary, and in operable condition.
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Have their lids securely closed.
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Not be packed beyond the height of the receptacle, ensuring the lid can close properly.
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Not be stored in front yards facing the street, except in certain exemptions.
These changes are aimed at reducing the frequency of violations, which are often tied to other bylaw infractions. By transferring the oversight of receptacles to the refuse and dumping bylaw, the city plans to streamline inspections, allowing summer inspectors to handle garbage-related service requests more efficiently.
With these updated measures, Brampton is hoping to create a cleaner, more orderly city while ensuring that those who fail to follow the rules will face increased consequences.
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