Ontario Cracking Down on Illegal Truck Yards

May 20, 2026

The Ontario government will soon propose amendments to the Planning Act that would help prevent illegal land uses for trucks, including operating commercial trucking activities on land not zoned for industrial use. 

Illegal land uses, such as truck depots, can impact rural, agricultural and residential lands that are not zoned to accommodate significant numbers of large vehicles. This can create safety hazards, damage local roads and generate noise, odour, lighting and drainage issues for nearby residents.

Amendments to the Planning Act would enable municipalities to impose administrative monetary penalties for illegal truck yards that are frequently established on rural, agricultural or residential properties.

Our government is pleased to support municipalities with locally led solutions that protect rural, agricultural and residential lands, ensuring they are for the benefit of farmers and families, not illegal truck yards.