Bylaw Dispute Adjudication System

New Bylaw Dispute Adjudication System 

The Comox Valley Regional District has launched a new process to help manage bylaw disputes locally rather than through the Provincial Court system. The new process follows three simple steps:

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Step 1: Pay or Dispute a Bylaw Offence Notice

After receiving a Bylaw Offence Notice (Notice), you have the option to either pay the Notice or dispute it. You have 14 calendar days upon receipt of the Bylaw Offence Notice to dispute it. If a dispute is not filed with the Comox Valley Regional District within 14 calendar days, you will not be able to dispute it later.

To dispute a Bylaw Offence Notice, fill out the information on the rear of the Notice and deliver it in person, by email or fax within 14 calendar days to:

Comox Valley Regional District – Bylaw Services
770 Harmston Avenue, Courtenay, BC
V9N 0G8
Email

Step 2: Bylaw Offence Notice Dispute Process
 

If disputed, the Notice will then be assigned to a Screening Officer who may contact you to review the details of your dispute. The Screening Officer will either confirm or cancel the Notice based on the Bylaw Offence Notice screening policy. If the Screening Officer determines that the Notice will be upheld, the disputant will be offered the choice of:

• Paying the full amount of the fine (not eligible for discounted amount).
• Entering into a compliance agreement, which establishes terms and conditions for compliance, including time periods for payment of penalties and plans to cease or remedy the bylaw contraventions that gave rise to the Bylaw Offence Notice. As a term of the compliance agreement, the Screening Officer may authorize a reduction of the prescribed penalty by 50 per cent.
• Requesting a bylaw dispute adjudication hearing.

Step 3: Adjudication Hearing

If you request an adjudication hearing, you will be contacted by a dispute coordinator to set the date, time and location of the hearing. You can chose your preferred method of participation: in person, by phone/video, or in writing.

Prior to the hearing, an evidence package will be sent to you which will include the evidence being presented at the hearing.

At the hearing, an independent adjudicator will determine if the bylaw offence occurred or not. If the adjudicator determines the offence occurred, the Notice will stand and you will be required to pay the full fine amount, plus a $25 adjudication fee.

Bylaw Offence Notice Payment Options

Important Notes

• Bylaw dispute adjudications are open to the public.
• If a disputant fails to appear or present their case, the adjudicator must order the penalty set out in the Notice immediately due and payable to the Comox Valley Regional District.
• The decision of the adjudicator is final.
• The adjudicator cannot reduce the fine amount.
• A dispute can only be cancelled by paying the indicated fine amount.
• A paid Bylaw Offence Notice cannot be taken to adjudication.