Bylaw Dispute Adjudication System

Bylaw Dispute Adjudication System 

Under the Local Government Bylaw Notice Enforcement Act, the Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) is authorized to issue Bylaw Offence Notices (BON).  

How to Pay Tickets and Fines

Following issuance of a BON, you have 14 days from date of issue to pay the BON at the reduced fine amount, if applicable. If a BON is not paid, is not disputed or an adjudication hearing has not been requested within 14 days, the opportunity to dispute the bylaw offence notice is lost and the penalty will immediately become due at the full amount and payable to the Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD).

If after 14 days a ticket has not been paid and a request for adjudication has not been made, a letter will be sent providing a final opportunity to pay. If payment is not received after a further 14 days, the ticket may be forwarded for a payment hearing.

Please note we do not accept postmarks as proof of payment. If you are mailing your payment, allow sufficient time for it to reach the CVRD before the due date. See below for payment options.

Step 1: Pay or Dispute a Bylaw Offence Notice

If the BON is disputed by the deadline, it will be assigned to a Screening Officer who will review the evidence of the BON and consider the reasons for the dispute. The Screening Officer will either uphold or cancel the BON pursuant to the Bylaw Dispute Adjudication Screening Procedure.

If the Screening Officer determines that the BON will be upheld, the disputant may:

• Pay the full amount of the fine. 

• Proceed to a Bylaw Dispute Adjudication Hearing (step two).

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 BON will be assigned to a Screening Officer. The Screening Officer will either confirm or cancel the BON based on the Bylaw Offence Notice screening policy. If the Screening Officer determines that the BON will be upheld, the disputant may 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 BON. 
• Requesting a bylaw dispute adjudication hearing.

Step 3: Adjudication Hearing

If an adjudication hearing is requested (dispute), the disputant will be contacted when a date for the hearing has been scheduled and asked to choose their preferred method of appearance: in person, by phone/video, or in writing. The disputant may choose to appoint an agent to appear on their behalf. The time and location of the hearing will follow closer to the hearing date.

Two weeks prior to the hearing, an evidence package, including the evidence being presented at the hearing to support the issuance of the BON, will be sent to the disputant.

At the hearing, an independent Adjudicator reviews and considers all materials and information provided. Based on a balance of probabilities, they will determine if the bylaw offence occurred or not. The Adjudicator will inform the CVRD of the outcome of the hearing in writing by a Notice of Decision. The CVRD will advise the disputant of the outcome and provide a copy of the Notice of Decision.

If the Adjudicator determines the offence occurred, the BON will be upheld and payment for the full fine amount, plus a $25 adjudication fee will be due immediately. If the Adjudicator cancels the BON, there will be no fees to pay. 

Important Notes:

• Bylaw dispute adjudications are open to the public.
• The adjudicator's decision is final and cannot be appealed. You can find more information on judicial reviews in the BC Judicial Review Self-Help Guide.
• If a disputant fails to appear or present their case, the adjudicator must order the penalty set out in the BON 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 BON cannot be taken to adjudication.