Bylaw Dispute Adjudication System

What is bylaw dispute adjudication?

The Bylaw Dispute Adjudication system allows the Regional District of Nanaimo to manage bylaw disputes locally rather than through the Provincial Court system. Bylaw Offence Notices can be disputed out of court with an adjudicator appointed by the Provincial Attorney General’s Office.

Why is adjudication used?

Simplifies the dispute process
More convenient for disputants, because attendance at an adjudication hearing is not mandatory
Removes bylaw violations from the Provincial court system
Reduces ticket dispute time
Reduces need to employ lawyers or enforcement officers to take a case to court
More cost effective and efficient system; and
Helps ensure bylaw compliance

How does bylaw dispute adjudication work?

View our BROCHURE on the adjudication process

Step One: Pay or Dispute a Bylaw Offence Notice

After receiving a Bylaw Offence 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 Regional District of Nanaimo 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:

Regional District of Nanaimo – Bylaw Services
6300 Hammond Bay Road
Nanaimo, BC V9T 6N2

Fax: 250-390-6513
Email: adjudication [at] rdn.bc.ca

Step Two: Bylaw Offence Notice Dispute Process

If disputed, the Notice will then be assigned to a Screening Officer who will 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%.
Requesting a bylaw dispute adjudication hearing.

Step Three: 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 be cancelled and you will be required to pay the full fine amount, plus a $25 adjudication fee.

Please note

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 as immediately due and payable to the Regional District of Nanaimo.
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.

Bylaw offence notice payment options

By mail (cheque or money order):

Regional District of Nanaimo
6300 Hammond Bay Road
Nanaimo, BC V9T 6N2

In Person, Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.:

Cash, money order, cheque, or debit/credit card
Regional District of Nanaimo Administration Building, 2nd floor
6300 Hammond Bay Road
Nanaimo, BC V9T 6N2