Register a Complaint

The call will be triaged by the Bylaw Intake Administrator and assigned to an investigating officer based on severity levels (i.e. safety risk, complainant history, homeowner history).

The investigating officer initially visits the complaint location and assesses the complaint. The complaint will be discussed with the violator or, if no one is located on this property but it is evident that someone is occupying the property, a Remedial Notice is posted at the property describing the action to be taken by violator. If the property looks vacant, a letter is sent to the property owner specifying the bylaw violation and the action required to remedy the violation prior to a specified date.

When the specified compliance date has expired and the violation remains unresolved, the officer may initiate legal action to resolve the violation.

The Bylaw Intake Administrator will communicate the status of the file to the complainant during and upon completion of the file. Any additional questions from the complainant will be addressed by the Investigating Officer.

Bylaw Offence Notice (Handwritten Or Computer Generated)

• May be issued to a person, company or vehicle
• Used for first-time offenders or minor offences
• Disputes are heard by a dispute resolution adjudicator appointed by the province and held at the local government level
• Fines of up to $500 per offence

Municipal Ticket Information (Handwritten)

• May be issued to a person or company
• Used for repeat offenders or more serious offences
• Disputes are heard in the Provincial Court of B.C., usually heard by a Judicial Justice of the Peace (JJP)
• Fines of up to $1,000 per offence

Long-form Information (Summons Issued By Provincial Court Registry)

• May be issued to a person or company
• Used for repeat offenders, serious offences, or situations where a court order may be requested
• The case is heard in the Provincial Court of B.C. before a Judicial Justice of the Peace (JJP) or a Provincial Court Judge
• Fines of up to $10,000 per offence, 6 months in jail, or a court order may be issued

The City of Penticton Good Neighbour Bylaw regulates or prohibits making or causing noises or sounds that disturb the quiet, rest, peace, enjoyment or convenience of others.

The most common complaints received by the Bylaw Services include barking dogs, loud music, and noise caused by heavy machinery and construction activity.

To report a non-emergency bylaws complaint, please fill out our online form. All requests will be forwarded to the appropriate contact for consideration. Barking dog noise can be directed to Dog Control Officers at 250-492-3801 or dogs@penticton.ca.

Depending on the nature of the complaint, a City representative may be dispatched to the scene of difficulty, or a letter may be sent to the individual or company that is alleged to be causing the noise, advising them of the complaint and requesting compliance. In order to ensure proper investigation and positive outcome please complete the Noise Log as part of your complaint. You will be contacted by a Bylaw Officer within 48 hours to confirm the status of your complaint.

Construction Noise

Noise due to construction shall not be caused before 7 am and after 10 pm Monday to Sunday and on statutory holidays. Special exemptions are granted under Section 6 of the Good Neighbour Bylaw (see the Noise Exemption Permit Application).

Dog Noise

Noise caused by a dog that is persistent and creates a disturbance by its cries, barks, or howls is prohibited at any time. To report a non-emergency dog issue, you can fill out our online form. All requests will be forwarded to the appropriate contact for consideration.

You can also contact Dog Control at 250-492-3801 to report these disturbances. See the Responsible Dog Owner Bylaw 2015-27.

Should you wish to report a loud and/or disturbing noise outside of normal office hours, please contact the local RCMP office at 250-492-4300.

Airport Noise

City Bylaws do not regulate aviation noise. Complaints concerning aviation noise or noise generated from the airport can be reported to the Airport Manager at 250-770-4422. See Airport Noise Transport Canada for more information. You can also obtain more information from the Parliament of Canada: Aircraft Noise Management.

The Good Neighbour Bylaw prohibits the accumulation of filth, discarded materials, rubbish and other noxious or offensive matter on property.

When a complaint is received alleging that a property is unsightly, a Bylaw officer will attend the property to determine if the situation warrants further action. If so, a letter is sent to the owner of the property requesting that the unsightly conditions be corrected within a set timeline.

If compliance is not forthcoming within the timelines set out, the City may, by its employees or other persons, enter the property and carry out whatever work is necessary to bring the property into compliance with the Bylaw at the expense of the owner who failed to comply. The cost of cleanup may be recovered by being added to taxes if unpaid. The owner of the property, at the discretion of the Bylaw officer, may also be issued a ticket for non-compliance.

The City of Penticton Traffic Bylaw regulates the traffic and use of highways within the municipality. Bylaw officers regulate non-moving violations, while the RCMP enforce moving violations.

Pursuant to the Good Neighbour Bylaw, property owners or occupiers shall remove snow from sidewalks and footpaths bordering the property owned or occupied by them within 24 hours of the accumulation of the snow.

The City has recently entered into a partnership with the RCMP, Interior Health Authority, BC Safety, Social Services and other Provincial ministries to deal with the problem of grow-ops and other nuisance properties. The Controlled Substance Property Remediation (Bylaw No. 2004-71) provides further details.

All businesses purchasing and selling used merchandise, jewelry, precious minerals, electronics, etc. that fall under the regulations outlined within the City's Pawnbrokers, Secondhand & Auction Houses (Bylaw No. 97-68) will be required to meet Zoning regulations as well as ensure that the business owner:

• Updates the status of their Business Licence and changes the Description of their Business Licence (at no extra cost)
• Contacts the RCMP for their requirements regarding this type of business
• Holds merchandise for a minimum of 30 days whether of 30 days whether for resale, alteration, repair, and disposal or in any manner part with any goods, articles or things purchased or received.

For registration requirements, please see our Pawnbrokers and Second Hand Dealers Bulletin.

Smoking is not allowed in the following locations:

• In a fully or substantially enclosed public place or workplace
• Within 7.5 metres of a public place or workplace doorway, open window or air intake
• Transit shelters or within 7.5m of a transit stop
• In common areas of apartment buildings
• On or within 30m of a children’s playground
• On or within 30m of any public or private elementary, middle or secondary school ground
• In any public facility

For more details, please view the Smoking Regulations Bylaw No. 2018-68.

There are very specific regulations around the discharge of firearms and draw bows in the City of Penticton. Please view the Firearm bylaw.  To apply for a permit for the discharge of bows and arrows/firearms, please complete this application.

Unfortunately, the City is not involved with these types of issues. If you wish to file complaints or inquire about health issues and tenancy complaints regarding your rental unit, please contact the Residential Tenancy Branch or call 1-800-665-8779.

To report a non-emergency bylaw issue, please use our online form. 

For Urgent Issues, Contact Bylaw Services:
Phone: 250-490-2440, Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
For Bylaw Officer response from 4:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, please call: 250-809-4367
Email: bylaw@penticton.ca