The Comox Valley Regional District launched a new Bylaw Dispute Adjudication System (BDAS) Dec. 1. The new process will help manage bylaw disputes locally rather than through the Provincial Court system.
Residents can now follow a simple three step process after receiving a Bylaw Offence Notice.
Step 1: Pay or Dispute a Bylaw Notice
鈥pon receipt, pay notice or dispute within 14 days to the CVRD;
鈥ispute by filling out form on rear of notice and deliver in person to CVRD office (770 Harmston Ave.), email or fax 250-334-4358.
Step 2: Dispute Process
鈥f disputed, a screening officer will contact you to review details;
鈥creening officer will either confirm or cancel the notice;
鈥f notice upheld, offered choice:
鈥ay full amount of fine (not eligible to discounted amount);
鈥nter into compliance agreement (when applicable);
鈥equest bylaw dispute adjudication hearing.
Step 3: Adjudication Hearing
鈥 dispute co-ordinator will contact you with date, time and location of hearing (either in person, phone/video, or in writing);
鈥n independent adjudicator will determine if the bylaw offence occurred or not;
鈥ffence did not occur, the notice will be cancelled;
鈥ffence occurred, the notice will stand and a $25 adjudication fee along with full fine amount will be required.
鈥淭he system has been created to provide local governments with the ability to make enforcement of bylaw matters more efficient and less expensive for both the members of the public and the local government,鈥� said Amanda Yasinski, manager of bylaw compliance.
FMI: www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/bylawcomplaints
