Illegal Land Use: Trucking

What’s the issue?

Caledon is proud to be a great place to do business and a partner in the commercial trucking industry.

Unfortunately though, Caledon is facing an issue with illegal operations on lands that can’t be used for trucking purposes, including illegal trucking yards and parking vehicles on residential properties.

These illegal trucking operations are harmful and negatively impact everyone in Caledon.

Here, you will find a comprehensive guide on illegal trucking operations. This guide explains the by-laws, enforcement process and how truck storage facilities can operate legally.

How to Legally Store Trucks In Caledon

What is the Town doing about it?

In 2021, an Illegal Land Use Enforcement Task Force was established and dedicated to proactively identifying and investigating illegal truck depots.

Since 2021, thanks to the Task Force, the Town has investigated over 300 properties using a variety of legal tools, including those provided under the Provincial Offences Act, Municipal Act and Planning Act. The Town has also sought injunctions through the Superior Court, including:

  • 207 investigated truck depots;
  • 61 completed prosecutions;
  • 25 currently in prosecution; and,
  • 28 active files

The Town remains committed to addressing this issue, continuing to investigate and monitor developments across the community closely. 

Newly appointed task force setting workplan to crack down on illegal land use
On Wednesday, November 13, the newly appointed Illegal Land Use Task Force (ILUTF) convened for its inaugural meeting. After a successful recruitment campaign this summer, Council appointed eight community representatives to sit on the ILUTF for the remainder of the 2022-2026 Term of Council. 

The task force is currently laying out its priority objectives and a detailed workplan for the next twelve months. Priorities will include advocacy, enhancements to Town by-laws, enforcement tactics and community communication initiatives. The next update to Council will be in January 2025.  

Illegal Land Use Task Force Appointed Members:

  • Stacey Beatty
  • Przemyslaw Bialasz
  • Alan Boughton
  • James Cockburn
  • John Di Girolamo
  • Vince Donatelli
  • Andre Leitert
  • Derek Page

Council Members:

  • Doug Maskell - Ward 3 Councillor
  • Tony Rosa - Ward 5 Councillor

Mayor calls on Province for support

On September 16, 2024, Mayor Annette Groves issued a letter to Caledon MPP and Deputy Premier Sylvia Jones for provincial support to address illegal trucking operations in Caledon. Having exhausted all the enforcement powers available to the Town, the Mayor has requested with the support of Council that the province: 

  • Increase maximum penalty amounts for individuals ($50,000) and corporations ($100,000 + $50,000 for each day continued) 

  • Enable physically barring entry to properties 

  • Grant municipalities the ability to include all charges, fines, orders, notices, prohibitions, injunctions, court-imposed fines on the title of a property

Fines, Penalties and Court Orders

Under the Planning Act, individuals, corporations, businesses and directors may face charges for unauthorized land use or development activities. Penalties include:

  • Individuals: Fines of up to $25,000 for a first conviction, with an additional $10,000 for each day the violation persists post-conviction
  • Corporations: Fines of up to $50,000 for a first conviction, along with $25,000 for each day of continued violation post-conviction

Under the Municipal Act, individuals convicted of offences may face fines determined by municipal by-laws, with a maximum limit of $100,000 and $10,000 for repeated or ongoing violations.

In some cases when fines alone are not enough to ensure compliance, By-law officers also have the authority to seek court orders, including injunctions that can halt ongoing violations and compel property owners into compliance. If an injunction is issued and ignored, the Town can pursue a contempt order that could result in harsher penalties, including imprisonment, additional fines and even the seizure of property.

Help keep Caledon safe

To help Town staff, residents are encouraged to report suspected illegal facilities when they see them.

If you see a property that you believe is illegally, improperly or unsafely storing trucks please contact Service Caledon by dialing 3-1-1 or by email at info@caledon.ca.

About the By-Laws

In Caledon, truck storage facilities are only allowed on lands that are zoned for Serviced Industrial (MS) and Unserviced Industrial (MU). Visit caledon.ca/zoning to view the full Zoning By-law and zoning maps or reach out to the Town at zoning@caledon.ca or 905-584-2272 x. 4104 to confirm if a plot of land is properly zoned.

The property must also have Site Plan Approval before it can operate as a truck storage facility. The Town’s Planning department can help property owners with this application process. To learn more or to request a preliminary meeting contact 905.584.2272 ext. 7338 or planning@caledon.ca.

For more information on Industrial Zones, their requirements, and their permitted uses please see Section 8 – Industrial Zones of the Town’s Zoning By-Law.

For more information on how to legally store trucks in Caledon, view the Guide on How To Legally Store Trucks in Caledon Guide.

The Impacts

There are rules for where and how truck storage facilities can operate. Breaking them results in harmful impacts, including:

  • Environment: damaging sensitive soil and water

  • Farmland: paving over farmland

  • Pollution: air, light and noise pollution

  • Safety: large trucks on residential roads and near busy neighbourhoods

  • Town character: makes the town look unwelcoming

  • Quality of life: impacting property values and discouraging potential new residents

The Town is tackling illegal operations and is ensuring that the local trucking and real estate industries are clear about the rules.