Enforcement procedures may take many courses. These enforcement proceedings are normally increasingly costly to the person in non-compliance, and may include direct enforcement (staff or contractors remove or resolve the non-compliance at the property owner's cost), municipal ticketing, the seeking of a court injunction, or the laying of charges under the bylaw provisions. Each complaint is different and the enforcement proceedings are decided upon based on the individual case. In addition, should complaint issues arise on an ongoing basis charges may be placed against the property owner and eventually collected as taxes. These regulations ensure that property owners remain responsible for what occurs on their property.

Enforcement proceedings, vary in most cases, however are generally completed within a month of the initial complaint. Depending on the volume of complaints, co-operation of the property owner or person in violation, specific circumstances of the case, and enforcement proceedings required, completion of the complaint may take longer.

Some issues are considered either a civil matter between the two property owners, or minor non-enforceable infractions. These issues may include trees overgrowing property lines and fence disputes.  The Town does not get involved in Civil disputes. 

HOW TO PAY YOUR TICKET

Town of Osoyoos
8707 Main Street, Box 3010
Osoyoos BC V0H1V0

• By Mail: send cheque made payable to Town of Osoyoos in Canadian funds to Town Hall (mailing address above). Do not send cash in the mail. A receipt will NOT be sent back to you.
• In Person: You can make payment at Town Hall during regular business hours (Monday - Friday 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM excluding statutory holidays). 

Note: Your payment must be accompanied by a copy of the ticket or a note giving sufficient information to identify the ticket including:

• The ticket number (from the top right corner on the face of the ticket)
• Your full name and mailing address
• The date of offence and the Bylaw Name and section of the offence

If you do not provide sufficient information, your payment may not be credited to you and the fine may remain outstanding. 

By paying the fine you will be deemed to have pleaded guilty to the described offence. If there is an early payment option noted on the ticket, the payment must be postmarked on or before the 30th day from the date of service of the ticket.

If the fine is not paid or the allegations contained in this ticket is not disputed within 14 days from the date of service of this ticket you will be deemed to have pleaded guilty to the offence charged and the fine amount will be immediately payable.

DISPUTING YOUR TICKET

If you wish to dispute your ticket, you have up to 14 days from the Date of Service shown on the face of the ticket to deliver, have delivered, or mail your Notice of Dispute. Your notice must be postmarked on or before the 14th day from the date of service of the ticket.

• By Mail: Send your Notice of Dispute by mail to the above address. 
• In Person: You may deliver your Notice of Dispute to Town Hall during regular business hours (Monday - Friday 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM excluding statutory holidays). You should bring a copy of your ticket

If you do not use the provided form your dispute should contain the following information:

• The Ticket number (from the top right corner on the face of the ticket)
• Your full name and mailing address
• The date of offence
• The Bylaw name and section of the offence. 

If you do not provide these details the notice of dispute may not provide sufficient information, and you may be deemed not to have disputed the described offence.

You will receive notice in the mail from the Provincial Court Registry informing you the time and location of your hearing at the Provincial Court of British Columbia. If you do not attend the Court on the indicated date, the ticket will be treated as not disputed, you will be deemed to have pleaded guilty to the offence charged and the fine amount will be immediately payable.

Complainant information is considered as confidential and will not be released to the person whose property is under complaint, unless under an order made by the Provincial Freedom of Information Commissioner. In almost all circumstances, the Freedom of Information Commissioner has sided with a Municipal Policy and not allowed complainant information released, but each case may be looked at individually and decisions may vary accordingly.

The Town may request or require a complainant to act as a witness, should a case be required to be settled in court. This is usually done as a last resort, should the Town case be weak or should bylaw enforcement be unable to determine that a violation has occurred without the evidence of the complainant. A complainant would normally be informed of this requirement at the time of the initial complaint or during the investigative process.

Often complaints are resolved amicably between neighbours. As a result, and if possible, it is recommended that each resident of Osoyoos attempt to resolve their issues before contacting Bylaw Enforcement for assistance. Again, the Town does NOT get involved in Civil disputes

Enquiries regarding dogs at large or to find out if your dog is in the pound, please call the Town office at 250.495.6515. For more information about animal control, see our Animal Control Bylaw 1316, 2016. If you are interested in adopting an animal please contact the Penticton SPCA at 250.493.0136.