Part of living in a community is respecting each other's rights. The first goal of bylaw enforcement is to educate and work with residents to preserve the quality of life we enjoy in Lake Country. Bylaws regulate activities and prevent issues within our boundaries. Together with Council's Policies, they form the District's governing framework.
Bylaw issues are dealt with on a complaint basis. Anonymous complaints are not accepted. A Bylaw Officer will do their best to respond to messages the following work day.
Bylaw Officers make every effort to contact residents prior to entering a property, but in order to effectively enforce District Bylaws and investigate contraventions or complaints as per Policy 187, officers or employees of the municipality or other persons authorized by the Council, may enter on property without consent of the owner or occupier for the purposes of bylaw enforcement. This authority is provided under section 16 of the Community Charter.
Report a Problem using the online form or Call 250-766-6673
Hours of Operation
September to June: Seven days a week 9:00 am to 6:00 pm (excluding statutory holidays)
June to September: (Summer Hours) Seven days a week 9:00 am to 9:00 pm (excluding statutory holidays)
To REPORT an urgent public safety or
emergency response issue after hours, please CALL 9-1-1.
Please note: Spion Kop is provincial crown land. To report issues please contact the conservation officer 24-hour hotline: 1-877-952-7277 or #7277 on the TELUS Mobility Network. You can also use the online form to report issues to the Province. (https://forms.gov.bc.ca/environment/rapp/)
To report issues with firearms or public safety please contact the RCMP Office at 250-766-2288, or call 9-1-1 for immediate emergency response from Fire/Police/Ambulance.
Weed complaints: Regional District of Central Okanagan Bylaw No. 179 requires property owners within Regional District of Central Okanagan electoral areas, the City of Kelowna, District of Lake Country and District of Peachland to prevent the growth of noxious weeds and tall grasses and to provide for the cutting or destruction of noxious weeds and tall grasses.
- Noxious weeds and grasses must be kept under 8 inches in height;
- Noxious weeds and grasses must be cut down and mulched, or otherwise destroyed and removed.
Complaint form: RDCO Service Complaint Form
What are the different types of offence notices?
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Bylaw Offence Notice
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- May be issued to a person, company, or vehicle.
- Used for first time offenders or minor offences.
- Disputes are heard by a dispute resolution adjudicator appointed by the province and held at the local government level.
- Fines of up to $500 per offence as set out in the Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 760, 2010.
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Municipal Ticket Information
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- May be issued to a person or company.
- Used for repeat offenders or more serious offences.
- Disputes are heard in the Provincial Court of B.C., usually heard by a Judicial Justice of the Peace (JJP).
- Fines of up to $1,000 per offence as set out in the Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw 753, 2010
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Longform Information
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- May be issued to a person or company.
- Used for repeat offenders, serious offences, or situations where a court order may be requested.
- Case is heard in the Provincial Court of B.C. before a Judicial Justice of the Peace (JJP) or a Provincial Court Judge.
- Fines of up to $10,000 per offence, 6 months in jail, or a court order may be issued.
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How do I pay a ticket?
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Payments
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Payments must be received within the time limits noted on the Bylaw Notice (ticket) to receive the discounted amount. No exceptions will be made.
By Mail:
Cheque or money order only payable to the District of Lake Country - 10150 Bottom Wood Lake Road, Lake Country, BC V4V 2M1. Do not send cash in the mail. A dishonoured cheque will not be considered payment of the penalty within the prescribed time. Additional charges will apply for NSF cheques. Postmarks are accepted as date of payment.
In Person:
Debit card, cash, cheque, Visa or Mastercard, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday, Municipal Hall, 10150 Bottom Wood Lake Road, Lake Country.
After Hours:
For after hours payments at Municipal Hall, a drop box is located at the parking lot entrance. Do not leave cash in the drop box.
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Payment Terms
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If the bylaw notice is paid within 14 days, a discount will apply, depending on the amount of the issued notice. If after 14 days the ticket is not paid and the ticket has not been disputed or an adjudication hearing has not been requested, the opportunity to dispute the ticket is lost and the penalty will immediately become due and payable.
If after 28 days the ticket is not paid, a surcharge will be added, depending on the amount of the issued ticket. If after 28 days the ticket has not been paid, nor a request for an adjudication hearing made, a letter is sent providing a final opportunity to pay. If payment is still not received after a further 28 days, the ticket may be forwarded to our collection agent and/or court action taken.
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FAQs
| I lost my ticket. How do I dispute it or request adjudication? |
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Fill out this form and return it via mail, email, fax or in person as directed.
If you wish to dispute a Bylaw Offence Notice complete the Dispute/Request for Adjudication section on the back of the ticket and submit it to the Municipal Hall in person, by mail, fax or email within 14 days of issuance. Please call the Customer Service Centre at 250-766-5650 prior to requesting adjudication.
Disputes will follow a three step process:
- The individual disputing their Bylaw Offence Notice (disputant) will speak with the Screening Officer. This officer will review the Bylaw Offence Notice and uphold, revoke or adjust if appropriate.
- If the Screening Officer upholds the Bylaw Offence Notice, the disputant can choose to pay it or have it forwarded to an adjudicator. If the disputant chooses the adjudication process, they will be notified when they may present their case, whether they choose to do so in writing, by phone, or in person.
- A date, time and location for adjudication will be provided to the disputant. Independent adjudicators will determine whether a bylaw infraction did or did not occur. If the adjudicator upholds the infraction, the full penalty will be applied as well as an adjudication fee of $25. If the adjudicator determines that no bylaw violation has occurred, no fine or adjudication fee will be applied.
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| How do I schedule my adjudication date and location? |
| The first step is to complete the Dispute/Request for Adjudication form on the reverse of the Bylaw Offence Notice and submit it as directed. The Screening Officer will contact you and give you the opportunity to submit information so that he/she can review the case and, if appropriate, cancel or adjust the Notice. If the Notice is not cancelled the disputant may request that it be forwarded to an Adjudicator. Adjudication hearings are held monthly in various locations within the Okanagan. |
| What are my options to dispute my Bylaw Offence Notice? |
| Disputants have 14 calendar days upon receipt of the Bylaw Offence Notice to file a dispute. If they do not request adjudication within 14 days, they will not be able to dispute the allegation. Bylaw Offence Notices can be disputed in writing, by phone, or in person. |
| What happens if I forget to pay my Bylaw Offence Notice? |
| If a Bylaw Offence Notice remains unpaid after 28 days, the late payment charge as noted on the front of the Notice will be applied. If the Notice remains unpaid after the final notice is sent out, it will then be sent to a collection agency for further action. |
| What happens if I did not receive a ticket and find out about the alleged offence after the 14 day dispute period? |
| If you advise the Bylaw Services Office within 21 days of the issue date of the Notice that you did not receive the original, the Bylaw Offence Notice may be reissued and the dispute period extended for an additional 14 days. |
