The Local Government Act and the Community Charter grant the Regional District of North Okanagan (RDNO) the authority to establish and enforce bylaws, including those that involve issuing ticket offenses. These bylaws are designed to ensure the community's safety, well-being, and enjoyment.
For more detailed information about the specific bylaws enforced by the RDNO, including the associated fines for violations, you can refer to the following documents:
These documents outline the specific bylaws, the nature of offenses, and the associated penalties. The goal of these bylaws is to maintain order and create an environment that benefits all residents, ensuring a high quality of life and safety within the region.
Making a Complaint
Bylaws are not enforced proactively. You must report concerns or complaints to initiate enforcement. If you have a complaint that requires enforcement, please complete the online Bylaw Enforcement Complaint Form.
Complaint Requirements
All complaints are received through our online form or in person at our office administration, located at 9848 Aberdeen Road in Coldstream. The complainant must provide their name, address, and contact information. Please see our Dog Control page for your complaint about a dog.
Anonymous complaints will not be responded to.
Enforcement Process
Where bylaw-related concerns or problems arise, the RDNO encourages residents, where appropriate, to discuss and attempt to resolve the issues amicably. If resolution is not possible, then a complaint should be brought forward in writing to the Bylaw Enforcement Officer.
The Bylaw Enforcement Officer will investigate the complaint and determine whether it contravenes the applicable bylaw. If so, the Officer will bring the complaint to the property owner's attention in writing, giving the owner a reasonable time to resolve the issue.
In the majority of cases, the Bylaw Enforcement Officer is able to resolve the issue. However, there are circumstances when a resolution can only be obtained through the legal process. Enforcing local government bylaws through the legal process can be very time-consuming and costly, so every effort is made to resolve the issues directly with the offending party.
Effective 2021, the RDNO adopted a new Bylaw Dispute Adjudication system. This allows the Regional District of North Okanagan 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.
See the Bylaw Adjudication section below for details on the process.
