Upper Fraser Valley Bylaw Adjudication System

The Upper Fraser Valley Bylaw Adjudication System is a partnership between seven local governments: the City of Chilliwack, Cultus Lake, District of Kent, District of Hope, Village of Harrison Hot Springs, Fraser Valley Regional District and the City of Mission. The Province of BC authorizes the System to operate as a municipal bylaw court to resolve disputes in bylaw enforcement matters for these seven local governments. Offences enforced through the System may have penalties of not more than $500.00 for each offence.

While there is one combined system for all seven participating local governments, each maintains its own bylaws, penalties, and policies regarding compliance with the bylaws. The objective of the bylaw adjudication process is to obtain compliance with the bylaws. Punishment is never the primary objective.

I have received a Bylaw Offence Notice (ticket) - what are my options?

You have two options when you receive a ticket:

Pay the penalty.

Dispute the ticket.

Please note:
If you choose to pay the fine after submitting a dispute, your dispute will be withdrawn, and the matter will be considered resolved. No further adjudication will be permitted.

How can I pay my ticket?

You can pay your ticket in person, by mail, or by phone.

In person: Pay with cash, cheque, Interac, money order, or credit card at the issuing municipality or at the City of Chilliwack.

By mail: Mail a cheque or money order with a copy of your ticket.

By phone: Pay with a credit card by calling (604) 793-2743 or 1-888-793-2744. A 2% service charge will apply.

View payment details

How do I dispute my ticket?

A person who receives a Bylaw Offence Notice (ticket) must dispute their ticket within 14 days of the date they received the ticket or are deemed to have received it.

You can dispute your ticket online, in person, or by mail.

Dispute online: Submit your dispute through the Online Dispute Portal.

Dispute in person: Complete the back of the ticket with your contact information and drop off at the Upper Fraser Valley Adjudication System registry office located at the City of Chilliwack, 8550 Young Road, Chilliwack, BC, V2P 8A4.

Dispute by mail: Complete the back of the ticket with your contact information and mail Attn: Upper Fraser Valley Adjudication System, City of Chilliwack, 8550 Young Road, Chilliwack, BC, V2P 8A4.

Dispute online

What happens when I dispute my ticket?

When you dispute your ticket, the participating local government will forward a report of the incident to the Screening Officer. The Screening Officer serves independently of local governments to resolve disputes. When the screening officer receives the report, you will be contacted to present your side of the incident. At this time, the Screening Officer will seek to resolve the dispute with you.

When the Screening Officer contacts you, they will be seeking to discuss the following:

If the Screening Officer is unable to resolve the dispute, a Bylaw Adjudication Hearing may be requested.

If you choose the option for your bylaw notice to proceed to adjudication, you will lose the early payment discount.

If the adjudicator upholds the bylaw notice, you will be charged a $25 administration fee in addition to the bylaw notice penalty.

What is a Bylaw Adjudication Hearing?

A Bylaw Adjudication Hearing is similar to a court hearing, allowing individuals to have their disputed ticket heard by an independent Adjudicator. The Attorney General's Office of the Province of BC provides the Adjudicator to the Bylaw Adjudication System. Adjudicators only have the authority to consider the offence based on the evidence presented.

The Bylaw Adjudication System is designed so that a lawyer's representation is unnecessary, but you may choose to have a lawyer present if you wish. Upon hearing the evidence, the Adjudicator will render a decision as to whether the offence did or did not take place. The Adjudicator is not at liberty to modify the offence or the penalty.

If the Adjudicator finds that the contravention did occur, a $25.00 Adjudication fee is added to the penalty, which becomes payable immediately.

If the Adjudicator renders a decision that the offence did not take place, the ticket and all associated charges are cancelled.

Contact Information

For more information, please contact the Bylaw Adjudication System Registry at (604) 793-2743 or visit the City of Chilliwack, located at 8550 Young Road, Chilliwack, BC.