news

Cranbrook, BC (March 21, 2022) – Beginning on Friday, April 1, 2022, minor bylaw infractions and tickets issued by the City of Cranbrook may be administered through the new Bylaw Notice Enforcement and Dispute Adjudication System.

The adjudication system allows local governments to manage minor bylaw disputes, like animal control and parking tickets locally rather than through an already over-burdened Provincial Court system. The Ministry of the Attorney General’s Office appoints private adjudicators to hear bylaw disputes at the local level through this process.

“The creation of this new bylaw notice and adjudication system was a key goal of this Council found in our current strategic plan. I am very pleased to see this system coming online, and I want to thank City staff for all their hard work bringing this forward,” says Mayor Lee Pratt.

“The Bylaw Notice and Dispute Adjudication System is a new service that will simplify and streamline the dispute resolution process,” says Molly van Leusden, Coordinator with Engineering and Development Services. “Locally managed bylaw enforcement for minor contraventions will be cost-effective and efficient, while providing more timely personalized services to the community.”

Starting April 1, 2022 if you receive a bylaw ticket, there are two options available to you. You have the option to either pay the ticket or dispute it. You will have 14 calendar days upon receipt of the ticket to dispute it. On the back of each ticket, you will find details on how you may pay, or dispute your ticket.

If you wish to dispute a ticket, our Screening Officer will receive and review the Bylaw Notice Dispute Form available from the City and online, and is authorized to do one of the following:
• cancel a bylaw notice
• enter into a Compliance Agreement and reduce the penalty upon compliance of the bylaw, or
• uphold the bylaw notice. If it is upheld, you will be given the option to request an Adjudication Hearing

You can pay bylaw notices in person with debit, cash or credit card at either City Hall or Engineering & Development Services, located in the back of the Cranbrook Public Library building during regular business hours. You can also pay online with Visa or MasterCard through the City’s website.

For more information about the Bylaw Notice Dispute Adjudication System, visit https://cranbrook.ca/bylaw-adjudication.