Public health regulations and fines
To protect the health and safety of all Vancouver residents—and ensure that everyone enjoys our public spaces—the City, Park Board, and Police enforce bylaw violations such as:
- Fighting
- Jaywalking
- Riding on a sidewalk
- Riding without a helmet
- Smoking in a public place
- Spitting
- Urinating in a public place
City inspectors, park rangers, and police officers may issue a ticket, depending on the offense circumstances. Penalties range from a fine to court prosecution.
Pay or dispute your ticket
There are two different types of tickets issued for these bylaw violations. The steps you follow to pay or dispute your ticket depends on the type of ticket you received.
Does the top of your ticket say…
- "Notice of Bylaw Violation"? Learn how to dispute or pay this type of ticket
- "Municipal Ticket Information"? Learn how to dispute or pay this type of ticket
How to pay or dispute a Notice of Bylaw Violation
Ticket numbers start with PC or PD.
You need to pay or register a dispute within 30 days from the date you received the ticket.
Pay your ticket
Other ways to pay:
- Mail a cheque or money order (payable to City of Vancouver) to Revenue Services. Do not mail cash.
- Pay in person by debit card, cash, cheque, or money order at Revenue Services.
- Phone 3-1-1 to pay by credit card.
Paying after the 30-day deadline? Phone the Bylaw Prosecutor's Office for permission to pay.
Dispute your ticket in court
- Sign a notice-of-dispute form in person at Revenue Services.
- The Provincial Court Registry schedules your dispute hearing.
- Has your address changed while waiting for your hearing? Phone the Bylaw Prosecutor's Office to update your information.
- Receive a court summons with your first court-appearance time and location from the Court Registry.
- Attend your first court appearance at the Provincial Court, 800 Hornby St, Vancouver.
- You may plead guilty or schedule a trial hearing.
If you do not attend your hearing, the judge may proceed in your absence. They may find your guilty and impose a penalty.
How to pay or dispute a Municipal Information Ticket
Ticket numbers start with P or T.
You need to pay or register a dispute within 14 days from the date you received the ticket.
Pay your ticket
Ticket numbers starting with P
- Phone 604-257-8480 to pay by credit card.
- Mail a cheque or money order to the Park Board. Do not mail cash.
- Pay in person by debit card, cash, cheque, or money order at the Park Board.
Ticket numbers starting with T
- Mail a cheque or money order (payable to City of Vancouver) to the Licence Office. Do not mail cash.
- Pay in person by debit card, cash, cheque, or money order at the Licence Office.
If your ticket number is not located in the online portal, call 3-1-1 for assistance.
Paying after the 14-day deadline? Phone the Bylaw Prosecutor's Office for permission to pay.
Dispute your ticket in court
- Write a letter with these items:
- A statement that you are disputing the ticket
- Your full name and mailing address
- The ticket number (on the top right-hand corner of your ticket)
- The offence date, bylaw name and section
- Mail or drop-off the letter to Bylaw Prosecutor's Office.
- Mailing the letter? Make sure it is postmarked within the 14 days.
- Coming in person? Bring your letter and your ticket
- The Provincial Court Registry schedules your dispute hearing.
- Has your address changed while waiting for your hearing? Phone the Bylaw Prosecutor's Office to update your information.
- Receive a mailed court document with your hearing time and location from the Court Registry.
- Attend your dispute hearing at the Provincial Court, 800 Hornby St, Vancouver.
If you do not attend your hearing, your fine is due immediately.
