Penalty Order Options

Option 1 - Make Payment 

You can pay your penalty order using one of the following methods:

• pay online - the payment portal used for secure online payments is PayPal.  If you do not have a PayPal account, you can select "Checkout as Guest" to proceed with your payment.
• pay in person by attending Township of Essa Administration Centre located at 5786 County Road 21, Utopia (acceptable payment methods - cash, debit, cheque, Visa/Mastercard)
• pay by mail - you can mail your payment to the Township of Essa Administration Centre located at 5786 County Road 21, Utopia, L0M 1T0  

You are required to provide your Penalty Order Number as well as the registered license plate in order to make payment.

Option 2 - Appeal 

Administrative Penalty System (APS)

Penalty Orders issued under Essa's ASE Program do not proceed through the traditional court system.  Rather the Township of Essa has complemented its ASE Program utilizing the provincial Administrative Penalty System ("APS") which is permitted under O. Regulation 355/22.   

• Essa APS By-law

Under the APS regime, registered owners are permitted to appeal their Penalty Order within 30 days after the date on which service of the order is deemed to have been effected. 

There are 2 stages to an appeal of your Penalty Order. 

Stage 1 - Request Review of Penalty Order by Screening Officer

Stage 1 of the appeal allows for a Screening Officer to review the Penalty Order, and to make a decision to 

• Confirm the Penalty Order
• Vary the Penalty Order
• Cancel the Penalty Order

You can appeal your Penalty Order by requesting a review of the Penalty Order by a Screening Officer.  You have 30 days from the time the Penalty Order is issued to request a meeting.  Screening Officer reviews are held on pre-determined dates and are held virtually.

Stage 2 - Request Review of Screening Officer's Decision by Hearing Officer

Stage 2 of the appeal allows for a Hearing Officer to review the decision of Screening Officer, and to make a decision as to:

• Confirm the Penalty Order
• Vary the Penalty Order
• Cancel the Penalty Order

If you are not satisfied with the decision of the Screening Officer, you can request a review of the Screening Officer's decision by a Hearing Officer.  Hearing reviews are held on pre-determined dates and are held virtually.