Municipal administrative sanction

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')

You have been fined because you have committed an offense related to standing still or parking, a nuisance offense or it concerns your establishment.

You have received a letter at home with an official report or statement, and a letter from the municipal authorities of the City of Brussels about your infringement.

You can object online and manage your fine using the appeal form:

• Appeal form

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.

• Paid parking
• External site Parking.brussels
• External site Traffic fines

Do you have a question?

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.

In parallel with the administrative penalties, there is a mediation service which intervenes when the infringement was caused by two people having a conflict. The officer can then decide whether or not to give an administrative fine. For minors between 16 and 18 years, the mediation is mandatory.

Contact:

• Municipal Administrative Sanction (SAC) Mediation
  Rue de l'Eclusier Cogge 18
  1000 Brussels