Merritt bylaw fines and how tickets work

What are the common bylaw fines?

Merritt, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-05

Short answer

Merritt enforces most bylaws with bylaw notices under Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2424. Most are $100, with a lower amount if you pay within 14 days and a higher one after 28 days. Examples: noise $200, no dog licence $200, dog at large $100, watering violation $100.

Key facts

How tickets work	The City enforces by bylaw notice under the Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2424, 2026. Designated officers (RCMP members, Directors of Corporate Services, bylaw enforcement officers, building inspectors and others) issue them. Offences listed in Schedule A carry a set penalty. The City can also enforce in court.Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2424, 2026, ss. 4, 16, 17 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording The Bylaws and bylaw contraventions designated in Schedule A may be enforced by bylaw notice. Sworn members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police; Nothing herein shall limit the City from enforcing any of the bylaws referred to herein in any other manner authorized by law.
Common fines	Bylaw notice amounts: dog at large $100; no dog licence $200; noise $200; construction noise outside hours $200; unsightly property $100 (first), $250, $450; parking time limit $100; trailer parking $100; watering violation $100; garbage cart violation $100.Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2424, 2026, Schedule A · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Dog or other animal found at large 6 $100.00 $50.00 $125.00 No No dog licence 15 $200.00 $150.00 $250.00 No Cause or permit noise or sound 7.1a $200.00 $150.00 $250.00 No Time Limit Violation 502 $100.00 $75.00 $125.00 No Watering Violation 62 $100.00 $75.00 $125.00 No Cause or permit an unsightly property 10.1 $100.00 for
Paying early	Yes. Pay within 14 days of receiving the notice for the lower early-payment amount in the schedule, usually $25 to $75 less (for example, dog at large $100 becomes $50; noise $200 becomes $150). Some offences have no discount.Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2424, 2026, s. 7; Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2424, 2026, Schedule A · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording if received by the City within 14 days of the person receiving or being presumed to have received the notice, is the Early Payment Penalty set out in column A2 of Schedule A Obstruct or interfere with a Bylaw Services 4.1 or $500.00 $500.00 $500.00
Paying late	Yes. More than 28 days after receiving the notice, a late payment surcharge applies and the penalty becomes the late amount in the schedule (for example, $100 becomes $125; $200 becomes $250; $450 becomes $500).Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2424, 2026, s. 7 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording if more than 28 days after the person received or is presumed to have received the bylaw notice, is subject to a late payment surcharge in addition to the penalty
Disputing a ticket	Within 14 days of receiving the notice, pay it or request dispute adjudication using the notice's instructions: complete the notice and deliver it in person, by email or by mail to the City. Screening officers can cancel notices or, for some offences, make a compliance agreement (up to one year). The registry address is PO Box 189, 2185 Voght Street, Merritt, BC V1K 1B8. An unsuccessful dispute adds a $25 fee.Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2424, 2026, ss. 5, 6, 9, 10, 15 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording must, within 14 days of the date on which the person received or is presumed to have received the bylaw notice complete the appropriate portion of the bylaw notice and deliver it, either in person, by email, or by mail The address of the Registry is: PO Box 189, 2185 Voght Street, Merritt, BC V1K 1B8 an additional fee of $25.00 for the purpose of the Municipality recovering the costs of the Registry The maximum duration of a compliance agreement is one year.
Bylaw	City of Merritt Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2424, 2026 (Schedule A). Older Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw 2044, 2009 also on the City list.Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2424, 2026, s. 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording This Bylaw shall be cited as the “Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2424, 2026”.

How it works

The City of Merritt enforces most bylaws with a bylaw notice under Bylaw 2424, adopted July 21, 2026. Designated officers, including RCMP members and bylaw enforcement officers, issue them. Schedule A lists, for each offence, the full penalty, a discounted penalty if the City receives payment within 14 days, and a late penalty if payment comes more than 28 days after you received the notice. The City can also enforce in court. The Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw 2044 is still on the City's bylaw list, but its schedule names older, repealed bylaws, so it is not used here.

Common fines (full / within 14 days / after 28 days)

Noise disturbing the neighbourhood: $200 / $150 / $250
Construction noise outside permitted hours: $200 / $150 / $250
Animal or bird noise: $100 / $75 / $125
Unsightly property (first offence): $100 / $75 / $125; second $250 / $200 / $300; third $450 / $375 / $500
Failure to remove snow or ice from a residence: $100 / $75 / $125
Dog at large: $100 / $50 / $125
No dog licence: $200 / $150 / $250
More than 2 dogs: $200 / $150 / $250
Business operating without a licence: $100 / $75 / $150
Most parking violations (time limit, prohibited, double parking, trailer): $100 / $75 / $125
Watering violation: $100 / $75 / $125
Solid waste cart or curbside collection violation: $100 / $75 / $125
Obstructing a Bylaw Services Officer: $500 at every stage

Good to know

Within 14 days of receiving a notice you must pay it or ask for dispute adjudication, using the instructions on the notice. Deliver the request in person, by email or by mail to the City. A person who loses a dispute pays an extra $25.
Screening officers can cancel notices or, for some offences, set up a compliance agreement of up to one year.
Some offences have no bylaw notice amount, for example fire, fireworks and aggressive or dangerous dog offences. Only court fines apply to them.