Like many local governments, the Regional District's bylaw enforcement is primarily complaint driven and staff do not go actively looking for bylaw contraventions. Instead, residents can submit complaints about the issues that concern them for the Regional District to respond to. This allows the Regional District to focus its resources on the highest priority issues to the community. 

As mentioned above, the Regional District’s bylaw enforcement is primarily complaint driven but it does not rely entirely on public complaints. Although contraventions are not actively searched out, the Regional District can begin an investigation without a complaint being received from the public as follows:

• Regional District staff may discover a contravention during their duties and can submit a bylaw complaint in the same way the public does
• RCMP and other provincial government organizations can submit complaints for investigation

The Regional District's policy on bylaw enforcement normally requires public complaints to be submitted by at least two persons from the Electoral Area where the bylaw contravention allegedly occurred, or at least one person from within 1500 metres of where it allegedly occurred, to ensure that complaints are from those most directly impacted. However, the policy allows for the Bylaw Enforcement Officer or a manager to make exceptions if they believe it is warranted; for example, in situations where there is a significant health or safety risk.  For more information on these requirements and exceptions please refer to the policy or feel free to email the Bylaw Enforcement Officer to ask questions.

Complaints can be made by completing an online form or submitting a paper version to the Regional District.

Once filled out, the paper forms can be delivered, or mailed, to the Regional District office.  Please make sure envelopes are marked:

Attn: Bylaw Enforcement
Regional District of Fraser-Fort George
155 George Street
Prince George, BC V2L 1P8

Normally complaints are fully investigated before determining whether or not they have merit. However, the Bylaw Enforcement Officer can refuse to investigate if there is evidence of a:

• frivolous complaint that is technical or trivial. For example, if a person makes a complaint about a bylaw contravention that is very minor and not worth investigating.
• vexatious complaint that is made in bad faith or in an abuse of process. For example, if a person makes a bylaw contravention complaint primarily to harass or annoy someone, not because the contravention is having any negative impact. Another example is if a complaint is made to retaliate against someone, or to distract attention or resources away from another investigation.  
• repetitive complaint about issues that have already been investigated, unless significant new evidence is discovered. 

For more information on when the Bylaw Enforcement Officer may decline to investigate a complaint, please refer to the Regional District's policy on the matter or feel free to email the Bylaw Enforcement Officer to ask questions.

While a bylaw enforcement process is ongoing against a person, that person’s ability to submit complaints may be restricted. This means that while an investigation or legal proceedings are underway for a person, the complaints that person submits may be delayed until the process is finished. This doesn’t mean the complaint is completely disregarded, only that the investigation is on hold. An exception is made for complaints of health or safety risks, which can be investigated and dealt with immediately. 

If a person submits a bylaw enforcement complaint primarily as retaliation, it is a vexatious complaint and may be disregarded entirely.*

For more information on cases where the Bylaw Enforcement Officer may decline to investigate a complaint, or may delay the investigation of the complaint, please refer to the Regional District's policy on these issues or feel free to email the Bylaw Enforcement Officer and ask questions.

* See FAQ above about complaints that are improper .

Regional District policy normally does not allow anonymous bylaw enforcement complaints. A name, address and other contact information, like a phone number or email address, must be included when submitting a complaint. If this information is not provided, the complaint may not be investigated or acted on. Anonymous complaints make it impossible for investigators to contact persons for more information, to clarify issues and to provide updates.

In rare cases, the Bylaw Enforcement Officer may choose to investigate an anonymous complaint if there are compelling reasons; such as if there is a possibility of a significant health or safety risk.  However, this is not normal procedure and it is up to the Bylaw Enforcement Officer's discretion.

For more information on the requirements for submitting bylaw enforcement complaints, and when complaints might be not be investigated, see the Regional District's policy on these matters or feel free to email the Bylaw Enforcement Officer to ask questions.

Yes, the personal information submitted in complaints is protected and is not released to anyone, including the subject of the complaint, except in special circumstances where the law requires or authorizes the information to be disclosed. For example, if legal proceedings result from an investigation of the complaint (such as a trial or an adjudication hearing) then the Regional District may need to release the information as part of that legal process.

Normally, bylaw enforcement complaint forms must submitted, but in special circumstances an exception can be made at the Bylaw Enforcement Officer's discretion. An example would be if someone has difficulty with the form because of a disability or condition making it difficult for them to write or use a computer. In those cases, the Bylaw Enforcement Officer may allow a person to submit a verbal complaint but, other than in exceptional circumstances such as these, if complaint forms are not submitted, it is possible the issue may not be investigated or acted on.

Many investigations are resolved voluntarily and do not result in legal proceedings. If legal proceedings are required, it is possible the person submitting the complaint will be called on to give evidence, either by attending the proceedings in person to testify, or by making a sworn statement in writing known as an affidavit. If they are not willing to do this, it may mean the Regional District cannot investigate or act on their complaint.

After a bylaw enforcement complaint is submitted, it will be assessed and/or investigated by the Regional District's Bylaw Enforcement Officer. Persons who make complaints may be contacted and asked for more information to help in assessing and/or investigating the complaint. Once the assessment or investigation is complete, the person will also be contacted and advised of the outcome.

At the end of an investigation, the Bylaw Enforcement Officer evaluates the evidence and decides whether it is sufficient to conclude that a bylaw contravention occurred. If there is sufficient evidence, the Regional District may take action which varies with the situation, but can range from a warning to a ticket to a full trial. In cases where there is insufficient evidence a contravention occurred, then the investigation may be closed without any further action being taken.

There is no requirement that every bylaw contravention must result in enforcement or a penalty. The Regional District will consider all the relevant factors in deciding how to respond, and in many cases, it is better to resolve a contravention through voluntary compliance, rather than imposing a penalty.

For example, if a person has built something without a required permit, the Regional District may request they obtain the permit, or if a person has allowed unsightly garbage to accumulate on their land, they may be asked to clean it up. If the person voluntarily complies with these requests, the Regional District may consider the matter resolved and there may be no need for enforcement measures. However, if they refuse to cooperate with requests, or if there are other aggravating factors, like if the contravention is very serious or part of a pattern of repeated contraventions, then the Regional District may choose to proceed with enforcement action.

It is also possible that in some cases, even if the person does not voluntarily correct a bylaw contravention, the Regional District may decide it is not significant enough to take enforcement action.  In deciding whether or not to implement enforcement measures the Regional District may consider factors such as how serious the contravention is and the availability of resources to respond.

The penalties and enforcement actions will vary, based on applicable laws. For example, depending on the bylaw contravention, the person might be issued a ticket (with a penalty of up to $500 per day), they could be prosecuted in court with a full trial (with fines of up to $2,000 per day), or an order might be issued authorizing the Regional District to clean up their property and bill the costs back through property taxes.

For more information on the exact penalties and enforcement measures available, please see the bylaw in question or feel free to email the Bylaw Enforcement Officer to ask questions.