Municipal administrative sanction

Municipalities may punish uncivic behavior immediately thanks to the system of administrative fines.

Please note: for any questions relating to paid parking on public roads (parking meters), please contact the Parking Unit.

Since 1999, municipalities may punish uncivic behavior immediately thanks to the system of administrative penalties: illegal dumping, nuisance by neighbors, graffiti, dog shit... The system relieves the courts and the prosecution and ensures an effective sanction.

The amount of this municipal administrative sanction, if it is a fine, shall not exceed 350 euros (and 175 euros if the person was a minor at the time of the events).

Three types of behavior are punished by an administrative sanction:

Incivilities (breaches of the General Police Regulations)

Is considered a nuisance, behavior such as:

  • urinating on public roads
  • throwing paper on public roads
  • spitting on public roads
  • taking out garbage bags outside the authorized hours
  • noise
  • certain forms of theft
  • private occupation of the public road
  • some activities on public roads without a license

The City has a period of six months to deal with these files and whether or not to impose a fine on the offender.

In certain cases, the penalty may be replaced by a mediation.

Infractions linked to an establishment (infringements of the municipal regulations)

Problematic behavior that can be attributed to establishments:

  • opening an establishment without the administrative file being in order
  • running an unlicensed terrace
  • not respecting the dimensions of the terrace
  • peddling
  • noise

The City has a period of six months to deal with these files and whether or not to impose a fine on the offender.

In certain cases, the fine can be replaced with the suspension or revocation of the license or the closure of an establishment.

Traffic offences (stopping and parking)

Since 1 March 2015, the City is authorized to impose penalties in case of non-respect of certain laws of the Highway Code relating to stopping and parking.

These violations are subject to fines that are determined by the Royal Decree of 9 March 2014 on municipal administrative sanctions for offenses concerning parking and the C3 and F103 traffic signs, determined by automatic devices.

Traffic offences - access to a filter with limited access and cameras

The filters - ANPR cameras - that prohibit traffic by a C3 traffic sign make access to the street impossible (24/7). More info:

Authorisations for access (see 'Access to a filter with limited access and cameras')

In the event of an offence, a letter is sent by the municipal administration of the City of Brussels with the amount of the fine to be paid and official report or statement.

This letter includes the City of Brussels logo and a reference to the Municipal administrative sanction.

If you do not agree with the fine imposed and you have convincing arguments, you can contest the offence.

How to apply?

1. File a complaint:

Resquest online

Pay attention to the legal time limit, which is mentioned in the letter in the paragraph 'you wish to contest the infringement'. It is 15 or 30 days depending on the type of infringement.

You have a free text field and the option to attach any evidence you consider useful.

After completing the online form, you will receive a copy of your challenge by e-mail.

Remarks:

The City of Brussels only deals with infringements committed on the territory of the City of Brussels and for which it is competent. If the City's logo is not on the documents, or if it is not a municipal administrative sanction, you must contact the competent service.

2. More information about a contest already submitted via the online form or about an administrative sanction?

By telephone appointment, to be taken:

You have received a payment reminder or other letter in which the payment of the fine is demanded or you want a payment arrangement or you have a question.

You have been fined because you have committed an offense in connection with standing still or parking, a nuisance offense or it concerns your establishment. You have 30 days from our letter to make your payment. All information required for the payment can be found on the first page of our letter.

You have received a payment reminder. You have 30 days to pay from the reminder letter. At this stage of the procedure you can no longer contest the fine, it is final. If the payment is not made, your file will be sent to a bailiff for collection and the costs of this procedure, plus the costs of sending a registered letter, will be charged to you.

You have received a payment reminder but you have paid your fine or you have made your payment and our letters have crossed: send us a proof of payment by e-mail or use the online form.

If you would like to request staggered payments and pay your fine over several months, please contact us by e-mail or via the online form. In the event of late payment, the debt becomes immediately due and payable without notice of default.

Restorative mediation is a service that allows people fined for a violation of the general police regulations to recover the damage caused in a way other than paying the administrative fine. This may take the form of mediation between the parties involved or a civil service.

The mediation procedure must be compulsorily offered to minors aged between 16 and 18 years.

Contact:

Municipal Administrative Sanction (SAC) Mediation
0494 53 78 32

PRACTICAL INFO