Bylaw Complaints

The Regional District process is driven by public complaints and we do not actively look for violations to focus resources on the community's highest priority issues.

The Regional District can begin an investigation without a public complaint if:

• a staff member discovers a violation during their duties
• RCMP or other provincial government organizations submit a complaint for investigation

You must include your name, address, and phone number or email address for your complaint to be investigated. All personal information submitted is confidential and is not released to anyone, including the subject of the complaint. However, if a trial results from the complaint investigation, the law may require or allow the information to be disclosed

In rare cases, anonymous complaints are investigated if there is a significant health or safety risk.

After we receive a complaint, the Bylaw Enforcement Officer will assess and investigate it if necessary. In some cases, the person who submitted the complaint is contacted for more information. Once the assessment or investigation is complete, the person who submitted the complaint is contacted about the outcome.

If there is enough evidence of a bylaw violation, the Regional District may take action. Penalties range from warnings, to tickets or a full trial. The Regional District will consider all factors in each situation and pick the most productive path forward.

If there is not enough evidence, the investigation may be closed without further action. The Regional District also considers whether a complaint has merit, and can refuse to investigate if there is any evidence of:

• trivial complaints where the bylaw violation is very minor
• complaints made in bad faith or in an abuse of process, like if a complaint is made to primarily harass or annoy someone
• repetitive complaints about issues that have already been investigated, unless significant new evidence is discovered

For more information about the penalties and enforcement measures available, please refer to the bylaw being violated or email the Bylaw Enforcement Officer with your questions.