Bylaw Notice and Municipal Ticket Information

When City staff efforts to obtain voluntary compliance with City bylaws have failed, Bylaw Compliance Officers must decide whether the contravention of a bylaw requires enforcement by issuance of a municipal ticket or whether to Lay an Information in Provincial Court under the BC Offence Act. Bylaw Compliance Officers may issue a Bylaw Notice or a Municipal Ticket Information (MTI), depending on the type of offence.

For information and penalties under the Bylaw Notice program, please refer to the City of Maple Ridge Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw (PDF). For information and penalties under the Municipal Ticket Information program, please refer to the City of Maple Ridge Municipal Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw (PDF).

Payments

Options to pay a Bylaw Notice or an MTI issued by the City of Maple Ridge are as follows:

  • online with Visa or MasterCard 
  • in person with cash, Visa, MasterCard, American Express or debit card at the Bylaw, Licensing & Community Safety Department or at the Property Tax counter
  • over the phone with a Visa, MasterCard or American Express at 604-467-7305 (press 2 for ticket payments)

Disputes

All disputes must be made in writing and delivered to the Bylaw, Licensing & Community Safety Department within the specified time period. In order to ensure a consistent and equitable process, the City does not accept ticket disputes over the phone, or while Officers are in the field.

Bylaw Notice disputes

Submit a completed Bylaw Notice dispute form (PDF) for the Bylaw Notice in dispute, or complete the back of the Notice and submit, per instructions on the Notice. Disputes must be received within fourteen (14) days of the Notice being issued and must include the Bylaw Notice number, the reason for dispute and complete contact information (name, address, phone number, email address). 

Bylaw Notice Ticket Adjudication process

The Bylaw Notice and Adjudication system is set out in the Provincial Government’s Local Government Bylaw Notice Enforcement Act. It is comprised of professional and independent adjudicators, local government, and the Province of British Columbia to ensure that bylaw matters are resolved through a streamlined and legal process. This not only saves taxpayer dollars, but also allows provincial and municipal resources to be used more efficiently and effectively. This administrative system is an alternative to the Provincial Court for resolving minor local government bylaw contraventions.

Dispute & Adjudication process

  • After the dispute has been received, a Screening Officer reviews the details provided by the disputant and the issuing Officer.
  • The Screening Officer will contact the disputant to obtain any further information and communicate their findings resulting in the Bylaw Notice being cancelled OR the Bylaw Notice not being cancelled.
  • If the Bylaw Notice is cancelled, no further action is required by the disputant.
  • If the Bylaw Notice is not cancelled, the disputant will be required to make payment or confirm that they wish to proceed to an adjudication hearing.
  • Once an adjudication hearing is scheduled, the disputant can only cancel the adjudication hearing by paying the Bylaw Notice prior to the hearing date. 
  • Adjudication appearance options are available: 
      • In person: Personal attendance is required by the disputant. By selecting this option, the adjudicator will consider the written reason for dispute, any documents submitted and any verbal statements may be made in person. 
      • By phone: Personal attendance (via telephone conference) is required by the disputant. By selecting this option, the adjudicator will consider the written reason for dispute, any documents submitted and any verbal statements may made by phone. 
      • In writing: Personal attendance is not required by the disputant. By selecting this option, the adjudicator will only consider the written reason for dispute and any documents submitted to make their decision. The adjudication decision will be sent to the disputant along with payment instructions if applicable. 
  • Once an adjudication date has been scheduled the disputant will receive an adjudication package via mail prior to the hearing date.

Adjudication Hearing process

At the Adjudication hearing, evidence is presented and the adjudicator decides if an offence did or did not occur. The adjudicator may not reduce the penalty.

  • If the adjudicator finds that an offence did occur, the non-discounted Bylaw Notice must be paid in full, plus an additional $25 administrative fee.
  • If the adjudicator finds that an offence did not occur, the Bylaw Notice is cancelled and no penalties are assessed.

Municipal Ticket Information (MTI) disputes

Submit a completed MTI dispute form (PDF) . Disputes must be received within fourteen (14) days of the Ticket being issued and must include the MTI number, the reason for dispute and complete contact information (name, address, phone number, email address).

Dispute & Court process

  • After the dispute has been received, a Screening Officer reviews the details provided by the disputant and the issuing Officer.
  • The Screening Officer will contact the disputant to obtain any further information and communicate whether the Ticket stands or will be waived.
  • If the MTI is waived, no further action is required by the disputant.
  • If the MTI is not waived, the disputant will be required to make payment or confirm that they wish to proceed to Provincial court.
  • Once a Provincial court hearing had been scheduled, the hearing can only be cancelled if the MTI is paid prior to the hearing date.
  • In Person is the only option for a dispute hearing in Provincial court. If the disputant does not attend the hearing, the alleged offender will automatically be found guilty (deemed convicted) and the Ticket must be paid in full immediately.
  • Once a Provincial court date has been scheduled the disputant will receive an adjudication package via mail prior to the hearing date.

Court Hearing process

At the Provincial court hearing, evidence is presented and the Judge or JP will make a ruling on the Ticket. The Judge or JP may not reduce the penalty.

  • If the Judge or JP upholds the MTI, the non-discounted Ticket must be paid in full.
  • If the Judge or JP dismisses the Ticket, the MTI is cancelled and no penalties are assessed.