The Clothing Drop Boxes Bylaw provides regulations to ensure clothing drop boxes remain safe and maintained.

If you see a box without a permit, or have a concern regarding a box, please contact 311.

Clothing drop boxes are not allowed on City streets, boulevards or sidewalks and will be removed at the expense of the owner and/or property owner.

Operators of boxes on private property are required to get an annual licence and permit for each box.

During the application for a permit, operators need to provide a signed statement from a third-party professional engineer. This must state that the engineer has reviewed the design of the box, considered the safety risks and determined that the box addresses potential injury.

Permit sticker must be clearly displayed on each box, along with a schedule that outlines when the contents of the box will be picked up.

Clothing drop box operators are also required to place boxes in areas with adequate lighting at all times to allow for safe operation of the boxes. Operators must provide photos to confirm that the boxes meet this requirement.

More information on all the bylaw requirements can be found in the Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 395, Clothing Drop Boxes. and Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 545, Licensing.

To submit complaints about clothing drop boxes or operators of clothing drop boxes that are not following City bylaws, residents can contact 311. If there is a complaint or information about a possible violation, Bylaw Enforcement Officers investigate, educate and/or take enforcement actions.

The goal is to resolve issues and ensure that residents and business are following bylaws. Each issue is addressed on case-by-case basis to make sure reasonable, fair and appropriate actions are taken. For example, in some cases the issue may be resolved through education. In other cases, further enforcement action may be required.

If clothing drop boxes or operators of clothing drop boxes do not comply with bylaws, they are guilty of an offence. If they are issued a ticket and convicted, they may have to pay a fine for the offence set out in the table below.

If they are issued a summons to court and convicted of an offence under Toronto Municipal Code, Chapter 395, Clothing Drop Boxes, they may have to pay a fine of not less than $500 and no more than $100,000. In addition they may also have to pay a special fine designed to eliminate or reduce any economic advantage or gain from contravening the Bylaw .

If they are issued a summons to court and convicted of an offence under Toronto Municipal Code, Chapter 545, Licensing, they may have to pay a fine not exceeding $25,000 if they are an individual or a fine not exceeding $50,000 if they are a corporation.

Offence Bylaw Provision Fine
(Erect/display/locate or place) more than two (2) clothing drop boxes at a municipal address. 395-2D(1) $500.00
Clothing drop box obstructs or is located within one metre of a required parking space 395-2D(2) $500.00
(Erect/display/locate or place) clothing drop box on any centre
median, traffic island or centre boulevard or otherwise within the
road allowance.
395-2D(3)(a) $500.00
Clothing drop box is affixed to a utility pole, tree or other public property. 395-2D(3)(b) $500.00
(Erect/display/locate or place) clothing drop box within three (3) metres of a driveway entrance or exit or side property line. 395-2D(3)(c) $500.00
(Erect/display/locate or place) clothing drop box within one (1) metre of a municipal sidewalk. 395-2D(4)(8) $500.00
(Erect/display/locate or place) clothing drop box within nine (9) metres from the edge of the nearest traffic control device. 395-2D(4)(b) $500.00
(Erect/display/locate or place) clothing drop box within nine (9) metres of the nearest paved portion of an intersection. 395-2D(4)(c) $500.00
Clothing drop box is not placed in an area with adequate lighting at all times. 395-2D(4)(d) $500.00
Clothing drop box does not display the name of the operator and owner. 395-2E(1) $500.00
Lettering of clothing drop box operator and owner is smaller than 100 mm x 75 mm and/or not of a contrasting colour. 395-2E(1) $500.00
The amount dedicated to charities, community organizations or religious institutions is not stated as a percentage of sales or is stated in lettering smaller than 80 mm x 60 mm and/or not of a contrasting colour. 395-2E(2) $500.00
A charitable registration number/proof of status is not identified on the clothing drop box and/or is identified in lettering smaller than 100 mm x 75 mm. 395-2E(3) $500.00
A permit is not displayed. 395-2E(4) $500.00
A pick-up schedule is not clearly displayed. 395-2E(5) $500.00
Clothing drop box is not maintained in a state of good repair. 395-2F(1) $500.00
Clothing drop box is located in an area that is unkempt. 395-2F(2) $500.00

Article XLII – Clothing Drop Box Operator

Offence Bylaw Provision Fine
Fail to Notify of Change to List of Clothing Drop Boxes 545-502B $200.00
Operate in Location Other Than Endorsed 545-504A $200.00
Fail to Display Name of Operator 545-505A(1) $200.00
Fail to Display Required Words Below Name of Operator 545-505A(2) $200.00
Clothing Drop Box Not Clean 545-506 $200.00
Clothing Drop Box Not in Good Repair 545-506 $200.00
Clothing Drop Box Not Free From Graffiti 545-506 $200.00
Areas Adjacent to Clothing Drop Box Not Free From Litter 545-506 $200.00