It’ll soon be a lot easier, and cheaper, to fight that parking ticket.
Prince George City Council approved a new bylaw adjudication process at Monday’s meeting, which will replace the current system. Once implemented, you’ll be able to fight certain bylaw infractions with a written letter, phone call, or video call to a moderator instead of heading to court. The city can state its claim in the same manner, which will save both sides from hiring lawyers and missing work.
Prince George Bylaw Services Manager Fred Crittenden says this is also much faster than the current system.
“We’re pretty confident we can do the adjudication and have that review process within a month of a violation being disputed rather than now waiting six months to a year to go before a court hearing.”
The city chose ten bylaws for the system’s initial implementation. These were chosen based on a history of complaints that would “most likely result in an investigation and enforcement action being required.” The ten bylaws enforce animal and noise control, parks and open spaces, water, garbage collection, property maintenance, parking and traffic, snow and ice control route restriction, and highways.
The city originally sought permission to be added to this Bylaw Notice Enforcement Regulation from the Ministry of Attorney General back in July. Its application was approved in late October.
City administration will now look for a BC government-approved adjudication organization to work with, one of which has already reached out to the city.
The new system takes effect January 1st, 2017.
Something going on in the Prince George area you think people should know about?
Send us a news tip by emailing [email protected].
