I got a Calgary bylaw ticket. Now what?
Bylaw tickets
When you’ve been issued a violation ticket for a bylaw infraction, it’s your decision to plead guilty or not guilty to the offence.
Tickets for bylaw infractions are issued by City Bylaw enforcement and peace officers.
City bylaw tickets do not include Traffic Safety Act tickets, such as speeding tickets.
What are my options?
You have four options for dealing with your City of Calgary bylaw ticket:
Option 1 - I want to pay the fine.
Option 2 - I need more time to pay the fine.
Option 3 - I want to talk to a Prosecutor about my ticket.
Option 4 - I want to plead not guilty and set a date for my trial.
Always take care of your ticket on or before the appearance date written on the front of your ticket. If you don’t, you may be convicted in your absence or a warrant for your arrest may be issued.
Parking tickets
For questions or concerns regarding parking tickets, see:
Calgary Parking Parking Offenses / Infraction Notice Information
Traffic tickets
For questions or concerns regarding photo radar tickets or speed on green and red light camera tickets, see Calgary Police Service.
Option 1 - I want to pay the fine
Note: if there is no voluntary payment option indicated on your ticket, you can speak to a Prosecutor about your ticket or plead not guilty and set a trial date.
Bylaw tickets can be paid online, by mail, in person at Traffic Court, at an Alberta Registries agent, or by additional options.
Online
Pay bylaw tickets online at www.fines.alberta.ca – Please note that a service fee may apply.
Pay bylaw tickets by mail. Do not send cash through the mail. Mail your payment to the address on your ticket with plenty of time to get to the court before your appearance date.
In person at Traffic Court
Pay bylaw tickets in person at Traffic Court. Go to the Traffic Court cashier line and bring your ticket. The cashier is located at the Justice of the Peace Counter on the 2nd floor of the Calgary Courts Centre and is open Monday to Friday from 8:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Traffic Court, Calgary Courts Centre
601 Fifth St. S.W.
Calgary, Alberta
Calgary Courts Centre map and hours
IMPORTANT: While the youth Justice of the Peace Counter is available five days a week, the youth first appearance crown is only available on the FIRST Thursday of the month.
Alberta Registries agent
Pay bylaw tickest at an Alberta Registries agent. Please note that a service fee may apply.
Additional payment options for parking infractions only
If your violation ticket is for an offence under the Traffic Bylaw or the Parking Bylaw and the ticket number begins with the letter “B,” you can also pay in person at:
- City of Calgary Cashiers, located on the third floor of the
Municipal Building, 800 Macleod Trail S.E.
Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
City cashiers accept cash, debit, cheque, and money order. Credit cards are not accepted. - Municipal Impound Lot, located at 400 39th Ave. S.E.
See Impound Lot - Calgary Parking or call 403-537-7000 for operating hours.
Option 2 - I need more time to pay the fine
If you need more time to pay the fine, you can submit a request on or before the appearance date on your ticket. You can request an extension of time to pay by email or in person.
You can email Traffic Court at caltraffic.counter@just.gov.ab.ca and request an extension of the time to pay. Be sure to email with plenty of time to receive a response before the appearance date on your ticket.
In person
You can go to the Justice of the Peace Counter on the second floor of the Calgary Courts Centre between the hours of 8:15 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. to request an extension.
Option 3 - I want to talk to a Prosecutor about my ticket
You can attend the Calgary Courts Centre in person and speak to a First Appearance Prosecutor about your ticket. You must first check in at the Justice of the Peace Counter on the second floor, between the hours of 8:15 a.m. and 12 p.m.
I think I'm guilty but I have an explanation
If you think you have a reasonable explanation for getting the ticket, ask to speak to a First Appearance Prosecutor. Tell your side of the story to the Prosecutor and he/she will give you choices as to what you can do.
I'm guilty, but don't have enough money to pay my ticket
Ask the Justice of the Peace what your options are. If you need extra time to pay, ask the Justice of the Peace for an extension. You can also ask to see a First Appearance Prosecutor and explain your financial circumstances.
Option 4 - I want to plead not guilty and set a date for my trial
You have three options to enter your plea of not guilty: by email, by mail or in person.
You can email Traffic Court at caltraffic.counter@just.gov.ab.ca to enter your plea of not guilty. Be sure to include your ticket number. You will be notified of your trial date and time via email to the address you used. If you do not receive a response before the appearance date on your ticket, you must contact the Court office by calling toll-free 310-0000 or by contacting Alberta Courts to obtain the trial date.
Plead not guilty by sending the signed violation ticket (by registered mail) to the address on the ticket. The signed ticket must be received on or before the appearance date indicated on the ticket.
Note: Make sure you keep your post office receipt as proof of mailing.
You will be notified of the trial date by regular mail sent to the address you indicated on the ticket. If you do not receive a notice of the trial date by regular mail, you must contact the Court office by calling toll‑free 310-0000 or by contacting Alberta Courts to obtain the trial date.
In person
You may attend the Justice of the Peace Counter at the address and on the date indicated on the ticket. If you plead not guilty, a trial date will be set.
Note: If you do not attend your trial date, you may be convicted in absence or a warrant for your arrest may be issued.
I can't decide what to do
You will still need to answer to your ticket on time. You can ask the Justice of the Peace to have your plea reserved to give you time to think. This can be done by email or in person.
You can email Traffic Court at caltraffic.counter@just.gov.ab.ca to reserve the entrance of your plea to a new date. Be sure to include your ticket number. You will be notified of your new appearance date and time via email to the address you used. If you do not receive a response before the appearance date on your ticket, you must contact the Court office by calling toll-free 310-0000 or by contacting Alberta Courts to obtain the new appearance date.
In person
You may attend the Justice of the Peace Counter on the second floor of the Calgary Courts Centre and ask to reserve the entrance of your plea to a new date.
I need some help
I have a mental illness and I need some help
Go to the Justice of the Peace and ask to see a First Appearance Prosecutor. They will provide you with information about the Calgary Diversion Services Program for people with mental health illnesses. If you are eligible, you may decide to participate in the program.
Ask for guidance
You will still need to answer to your ticket on time. You can ask the Justice of the Peace to have your plea reserved to give you time to think. If you are still unsure what to do, or you need more information before you decide, contact:
Calgary Legal Guidance, call 403-234-9266
Student Legal Assistance, call 403-220-6637
I lost my ticket and/or I might have more tickets I forgot about
Come to the Justice of the Peace Counter on the second floor of the Calgary Courts Centre and ask to complete a Search Form.
If you want to pay your ticket(s), go to the cashier window.
If you want to talk to someone about your ticket(s), go to the Justice of the Peace window.