- When disputing a Bylaw Offence Notice, you are required to submit all related evidence which may include photos, receipts, etc along with your Bylaw Dispute Form.Â
- The Screening Officer will review the Bylaw Notice, all evidence provided by the disputant and the Issuing Bylaw Enforcement Officer, the circumstances surrounding its issue and will either revoke or uphold the Notice. If the Screening Officer upholds the Bylaw Offence Notice, the disputant may choose to either pay the Offence Notice or request the Offence Notice be forwarded to an Adjudicator.
- If the disputant chooses the Adjudication process, they will be contacted by a Dispute Coordinator. The Dispute Coordinator will confirm that the file is complete and will request additional information if necessary.
- The Dispute Coordinator will schedule the Adjudication date and time based on the Adjudication Calendar and will confirm the disputants preferred the method of participation: in person, by phone, or in writing.
- A date, time, and location for Adjudication will be provided to the disputant with the hearing normally conducted at Kelowna's City Hall. Adjudications will also be scheduled for Vernon and Penticton several times a year. The disputant and the Bylaw Officer are not required to personally appear. Representation for the disputant may be made in writing, or over the phone, and documentation from the municipality may be presented in support of the notice.
Independent Adjudicators will determine whether a Bylaw infraction did or did not occur. If the Adjudicator determines that the infraction occurred, the full penalty will be applied as well as an additional Adjudication fee of $25. If the Adjudicator determines that no Bylaw violation has occurred, no fine will be applied. The Adjudicator does not have the authority to modify the offence or the penalty.
