{"title":"North Cowichan bylaw fines and how tickets work","question":"What are the common bylaw fines in North Cowichan?","slug":"bylaw-fines","place":{"path":"ca/bc/north-cowichan","name":"North Cowichan","region":{"code":"bc","name":"British Columbia"},"country":{"code":"ca","name":"Canada"}},"category":{"slug":"bylaws-and-complaints","name":"Bylaws, noise and complaints"},"owner":"municipal","owner_label":"Municipal","owner_body":{"name":"Municipality of North Cowichan","url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca"},"short_answer":"North Cowichan uses two ticket systems side by side: bylaw offence notices and municipal tickets. Common fines are $100 to $250 by bylaw notice and $100 to $500 by municipal ticket. Pay a bylaw notice within 14 days for the lower early amount.","aliases":["bylaw ticket north cowichan","pay bylaw fine north cowichan","dispute bylaw notice north cowichan","municipal ticket north cowichan"],"cost":"Examples (bylaw notice / municipal ticket): parking an RV over 4 hours $200 / $200; no dog licence $100 / $100; dog off leash, first offence $100 / $100; noise $100 / $200; nuisance property $200 / $200; open burning without a permit $250 / $500; Stage 1 sprinkling $100 / $200. Carts out of time: $100 notice.","how_long":"Bylaw notice: pay within 14 days for the early amount; dispute within 14 days. Municipal ticket: tell the Municipality within 14 days if you dispute it.","where":[{"type":"phone","label":"Bylaw Services","value":"250-746-3108"},{"type":"online","label":"Tickets and notices, Municipality of North Cowichan","value":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/municipal-services/bylaw-services/tickets-notices"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Bylaw Offence Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 3677, 2021 (PDF)","url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2023-10/Bylaw%20Offence%20Notice%20Enforcement%20Bylaw%2C%20No.%203677%2C%202021.pdf"},{"title":"Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw No. 3464 (PDF)","url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2025-05/Municipal%20Ticket%20Information%20System.pdf"}],"related":[{"slug":"noise-rules","title":"North Cowichan noise bylaw: quiet hours, construction hours and fines","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-cowichan/noise-rules/"},{"slug":"fireworks","title":"North Cowichan fireworks rules","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-cowichan/fireworks/"},{"slug":"backyard-fire","title":"North Cowichan backyard fire and burning rules","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-cowichan/backyard-fire/"},{"slug":"unsightly-property","title":"North Cowichan unsightly property rules and how to report","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-cowichan/unsightly-property/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/duncan","name":"Duncan","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/duncan/bylaw-fines/"},{"place":"ca/bc/ladysmith","name":"Ladysmith","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/bylaw-fines/"},{"place":"ca/bc/north-saanich","name":"North Saanich","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-saanich/bylaw-fines/"},{"place":"ca/bc/sidney","name":"Sidney","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sidney/bylaw-fines/"},{"place":"ca/bc/central-saanich","name":"Central Saanich","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/central-saanich/bylaw-fines/"},{"place":"ca/bc/highlands","name":"Highlands","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/highlands/bylaw-fines/"}],"topic":{"title":"Bylaw tickets in British Columbia: early payment, late payment and disputes by municipality","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/bylaw-fines/"},"facts":{"how_tickets_work":{"label":"How tickets work","value":"Two systems. (1) Bylaw Offence Notice (BON): a less formal ticket for simple contraventions; issued by bylaw compliance officers, peace officers, animal control officers, the Municipal Forester, the Chief Building Inspector, business licence inspector and certain fire chiefs; disputes go to a Screening Officer then the Nanaimo Bylaw Dispute Adjudication Registry. (2) Municipal Ticket (MTI): resembles a provincial violation ticket, max $1,000, disputes go to Provincial Court. Serious cases can go to court under the Offence Act (up to $50,000 and 6 months).","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2023-10/Bylaw%20Offence%20Notice%20Enforcement%20Bylaw%2C%20No.%203677%2C%202021.pdf","title":"Bylaw Offence Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 3677, 2021 (PDF)","section":"ss. 4, 10, 13","quotes":["Persons acting as any of the following are designated as Bylaw Enforcement Officers","The Registry, with an address of 411 Dunsmuir Street, Nanaimo"]},{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/municipal-services/bylaw-services/tickets-notices","title":"Tickets and notices, Municipality of North Cowichan","section":"Municipal Ticket; Bylaw Offence Notice","quotes":["A municipal ticket (MTI) resembles a provincial violation ticket","The penalty for a contravention enforced through a MTI may not exceed $1,000","A bylaw offence notice (BON) is a less formal process"]},{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2025-05/Municipal%20Ticket%20Information%20System.pdf","title":"Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw No. 3464 (PDF)","section":"ss. 1, 4","quotes":["may be enforced by means of a ticket"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"example_fines":{"label":"Common fines","value":"Parking (RV over 4 hours etc.): $200, notice or ticket. No dog licence: $100. Dog off leash, first offence: $100. Noise: $100 notice, $200 ticket. Nuisance property: $200. Open burning without permit: $250 notice, $500 ticket. Stage 1 sprinkling: $100 notice, $200 ticket. Carts out before 5 a.m. or left after 10 p.m.: $100 notice.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2023-10/Bylaw%20Offence%20Notice%20Enforcement%20Bylaw%2C%20No.%203677%2C%202021.pdf","title":"Bylaw Offence Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 3677, 2021 (PDF)","section":"Schedule A","quotes":["Fail to obtain a Dog licence $100.00 $50.00 $120.00 YES","2 Allow noise to cause disturbance $100 $50 $120 YES","4.1 Cause a nuisance $200 $100 $220 YES","Collection carts set out before 5 AM on collection","day or collection carts left at collection point after $100 $75 $125 YES"]},{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2025-05/Municipal%20Ticket%20Information%20System.pdf","title":"Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw No. 3464 (PDF)","section":"Schedule 2","quotes":["Park trailer or creational vehicle on highway for more than 4 hours 7 (3) 200","Noise which Disturbs 2 $200"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"early_payment":{"label":"Paying early","value":"Bylaw notice: pay within 14 days of receiving it to pay the lower Early Payment Penalty in Column A2 (usually half the penalty, e.g. $50 instead of $100, $125 instead of $250; waste cart offences $75 instead of $100). Municipal ticket: no early discount found.","short":"Usually half if paid in 14 days (e.g. $50 for $100)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2023-10/Bylaw%20Offence%20Notice%20Enforcement%20Bylaw%2C%20No.%203677%2C%202021.pdf","title":"Bylaw Offence Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 3677, 2021 (PDF)","section":"s. 11(2)(a)","quotes":["within 14 days of the person receiving or being presumed to have received the bylaw","the applicable penalty is the Early Payment Penalty set out in Column A2"]},{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/municipal-services/bylaw-services/tickets-notices","title":"Tickets and notices, Municipality of North Cowichan","section":"Paying a BON","quotes":["If paid within 14 days, some offences are eligible for early payment reductions"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"late_payment":{"label":"Paying late","value":"Bylaw notice: full penalty from day 15 to 28. After 28 days the Column A3 Late Payment Penalty applies, usually penalty plus $20 ($120 for $100) but $125 for a $100 waste cart offence; unpaid notices may go to collections. Municipal ticket: unpaid tickets go to court for conviction in absence.","short":"Usually $20 more after 28 days (e.g. $120 for $100)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2023-10/Bylaw%20Offence%20Notice%20Enforcement%20Bylaw%2C%20No.%203677%2C%202021.pdf","title":"Bylaw Offence Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 3677, 2021 (PDF)","section":"s. 11(2)(c)","quotes":["more than 28 days after the person received or is presumed to have received the bylaw","a late payment surcharge of $20","day or collection carts left at collection point after $100 $75 $125 YES"]},{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/municipal-services/bylaw-services/tickets-notices","title":"Tickets and notices, Municipality of North Cowichan","section":"Failing to respond","quotes":["Tickets that remain unpaid thirty (30) days after being deemed guilty will be sent to collections"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"dispute":{"label":"Disputing a ticket","value":"Bylaw notice: you have 14 days to dispute (form to Bylaw Services). A Screening Officer reviews it, may cancel it, offer a compliance agreement (penalty cut by 35%) or send it to an adjudication hearing (in person, phone/video or writing). If you lose you pay the full penalty plus a $25 adjudication fee. Municipal ticket: tell the Municipality within 14 days; a disputed ticket goes to Provincial Court.","short":"Within 14 days; $25 fee if you lose","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2023-10/Bylaw%20Offence%20Notice%20Enforcement%20Bylaw%2C%20No.%203677%2C%202021.pdf","title":"Bylaw Offence Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 3677, 2021 (PDF)","section":"ss. 12, 15","quotes":["no person may dispute the bylaw notice after 14 days of receiving it","must pay the Registry an adjudication fee of $25"]},{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/municipal-services/bylaw-services/tickets-notices","title":"Tickets and notices, Municipality of North Cowichan","section":"Disputing a BON; Disputing a MTI","quotes":["You have 14 days to dispute a BON","You have 14 days to notify North Cowichan that you wish to dispute the ticket"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Bylaw Offence Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 3677, 2021 (consolidated to April 15, 2026) and Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw No. 3464 (consolidated to April 15, 2026).","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2023-10/Bylaw%20Offence%20Notice%20Enforcement%20Bylaw%2C%20No.%203677%2C%202021.pdf","title":"Bylaw Offence Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 3677, 2021 (PDF)","section":"s. 1","quotes":["Bylaw Offence Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 3677, 2021"]},{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2025-05/Municipal%20Ticket%20Information%20System.pdf","title":"Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw No. 3464 (PDF)","section":"title","quotes":["MUNICIPAL TICKET INFORMATION SYSTEM","Bylaw 3464"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":6,"stated":6,"matched":6,"none":0,"unknown":0},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\nNorth Cowichan has two ticket systems, and both are normal.\n\n- **Bylaw Offence Notice (BON):** a less formal ticket for simple contraventions, issued by bylaw compliance officers, peace officers, animal control officers and certain other officials. Under the [Bylaw Offence Notice Enforcement Bylaw](<https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2023-10/Bylaw%20Offence%20Notice%20Enforcement%20Bylaw%2C%20No.%203677%2C%202021.pdf>), disputes go to a Screening Officer and then the Nanaimo Bylaw Dispute Adjudication Registry.\n- **Municipal Ticket (MTI):** resembles a provincial violation ticket, with a maximum of $1,000 under the [Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw](<https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2025-05/Municipal%20Ticket%20Information%20System.pdf>). Disputes go to Provincial Court.\n\nSerious cases can go to court under the Offence Act (up to $50,000 and 6 months).\n\n## Common fines (bylaw notice / municipal ticket)\n\n- Parking an RV over 4 hours and similar: $200 / $200\n- No dog licence: $100 / $100\n- Dog off leash, first offence: $100 / $100\n- Noise: $100 / $200\n- Nuisance property: $200 / $200\n- Open burning without a permit: $250 / $500 (the burning web page gives escalating amounts; confirm)\n- Stage 1 sprinkling: $100 / $200\n- Carts out before 5 a.m. or left after 10 p.m.: $100 notice\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Bylaw notice: pay within 14 days to pay the lower early amount (usually half, for example $50 instead of $100; waste cart offences $75 instead of $100).\n2. Days 15 to 28: the full penalty. After 28 days the late amount applies, usually the penalty plus $20, but $125 for a $100 waste cart offence. Unpaid notices may go to collections.\n3. To dispute a bylaw notice, send the form to Bylaw Services within 14 days. A Screening Officer may cancel it, offer a compliance agreement (penalty cut by 35%) or send it to an adjudication hearing (in person, phone/video or writing). If you lose, you pay the full penalty plus a $25 adjudication fee.\n4. Municipal ticket: tell the Municipality within 14 days if you dispute it. A disputed ticket goes to Provincial Court.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- No early-payment discount was found for municipal tickets. Unpaid tickets go to court for conviction in absence.\n- Each topic's answer gives the detail for its own fines.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/municipal-services/bylaw-services/tickets-notices","title":"Tickets and notices, Municipality of North Cowichan","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2023-10/Bylaw%20Offence%20Notice%20Enforcement%20Bylaw%2C%20No.%203677%2C%202021.pdf","title":"Bylaw Offence Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 3677, 2021 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2025-05/Municipal%20Ticket%20Information%20System.pdf","title":"Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw No. 3464 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-06"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-06","review":{"status":"machine_checked","badge":"Checked against official text","label":"Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 6 of 6 facts was matched to the official text."},"urls":{"html":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-cowichan/bylaw-fines/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-cowichan/bylaw-fines.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-cowichan/bylaw-fines.json"}}