Proposed Planning Act changes would allow municipalities to issue penalties for unauthorized land use
CALEDON, Ont. —
The Ontario government says it plans to introduce legislative amendments aimed at helping municipalities crack down on illegal truck yards and unauthorized commercial trucking operations on land not zoned for industrial use.
The proposed changes to the Planning Act would allow municipalities to impose administrative monetary penalties on property owners and operators found using agricultural, rural or residential lands for illegal truck parking and trucking-related activities.
Provincial officials say the move responds to growing concerns from municipalities that have struggled to manage illegal truck depots through existing court-based enforcement processes, which can be lengthy and costly.
“Several municipalities have asked the government for more tools to address illegal land uses, including trucks illegally parked on agricultural, rural, and residential lands,” said Rob Flack, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “That is why we are pleased to support this locally led solution, protecting our communities, including the surrounding farmland, and ensuring the health and safety of residents.”
Municipalities seek faster enforcement tools
The province said illegal truck yards have increasingly become a challenge in rural and suburban communities where large commercial vehicles are being parked or operated on land that is not designated for industrial use.
According to the government, such operations can create safety risks, damage local roads and contribute to noise, odour, lighting and drainage problems for nearby residents.
Currently, municipalities can pursue enforcement through zoning by-law prosecutions, but provincial officials noted that those cases can take years to resolve in court and require significant municipal resources.
Under the proposed amendments, municipalities would be permitted to issue administrative monetary penalties directly through municipal officials without requiring court proceedings.
The province said the penalties are intended to encourage compliance rather than serve as punitive measures, while giving local governments a more efficient way to respond to zoning violations.
“I would like to thank the Ford government for hearing us. This means a great deal to Caledon and other municipalities facing this issue,” said Annette Groves, Mayor of Caledon. “We have advocated hard for more ability to enforce illegal land use. This now gives us more tools to keep our community safe.”
Rural and agricultural communities raise concerns
The issue has become particularly prominent in communities across the Greater Toronto Area and surrounding regions, where municipalities say unauthorized trucking operations have expanded onto farmland and residential properties.
“Illegal truck yards have been a major concern for residents across Caledon, disrupting rural communities, damaging local roads and threatening the integrity of our agricultural land,” said Sylvia Jones, MPP for Dufferin-Caledon. “These proposed changes would give municipalities the stronger enforcement tools they need to crack down on unlawful land uses, protect our communities and preserve the farmland that is so important to our region.”
Provincial ministers and local lawmakers also linked the issue to broader concerns around infrastructure pressure and farmland preservation.
“Illegal truck yards often create serious safety concerns for families and communities, while putting added pressure on local roads and infrastructure. These changes are part of our government’s commitment to protecting Ontario by giving municipalities stronger enforcement tools to crack down on illegal activity and help keep communities safe,” said Michael Kerzner, Solicitor General.
“Ontario’s agri-food sector is a major driver of our economy, and protecting farmland is critical to protecting our food supply and long-term growth. Today’s announcement gives municipalities stronger tools to help keep communities safe while also protecting valuable farmland for future generations. Our government will continue standing up for farmers and supporting a strong, resilient agri-food sector across Ontario,” said Trevor Jones, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness.
Province looking for additional truck parking capacity
At the same time, the Ontario government said the Ministry of Transportation is working to identify suitable lands for legal truck and trailer parking in high-priority areas, including Peel, York and Halton regions.
“Illegal truck parking sites create safety risks, put pressure on local roads and disrupt nearby communities. Our government is taking action to identify suitable surplus government property for truck and trailer parking in high-priority areas across Ontario,” said Prabmeet Singh Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation.
Municipalities would retain discretion over how administrative monetary penalties are applied, including the amount of fines and whether escalating penalties are imposed for repeated non-compliance.
The province added that unpaid penalties could be added to property tax rolls and recovered through municipal taxation processes.
Enforcement challenges continue across Ontario
Ontario cited enforcement data from Halton Hills as an example of the growing challenge facing municipalities. In 2025, the municipality recorded more than 50 illegal truck depots and over 40 active investigations. The province said the largest successful prosecution resulted in a $115,000 fine, which still failed to cover enforcement and legal costs.
“Residents of King and Vaughan know all too well that our communities have become a hotspot for illegal land use. This is why we are supporting municipalities in cracking down with new penalties that better ensure rural, agricultural, and residential lands are for farmers and families, not illegal trucking yards. This policy will give municipal by-law the enforcement teeth and confidence they need to keep our communities safe,” said Stephen Lecce, Member of Provincial Parliament for King-Vaughan.
“Today’s announcement is great news for Halton Hills and surrounding communities. Residents expect their neighbours to follow the rules and this will give municipalities a greater ability to protect the communities we love,” said Joseph Racinsky, Member of Provincial Parliament for Wellington-Halton Hills.
The proposed amendments are expected to be introduced in the coming legislative session.