Implementation Review of the Noise Bylaw

The City is reviewing the successes and challenges of implementing the Noise Bylaw, which was amended in 2019. Get involved in six virtual and in-person public consultations from September 12 to 21 and subscribe below to receive key updates on this review.

About the Review 

In a city as large and vibrant as Toronto, certain levels of noise are reasonable and reflect life in a densely populated city. The Noise Bylaw balances the city’s vibrancy with the needs of residents and visitors and provides time restrictions and sound level limits for various types of noise.

The Noise Bylaw was amended in 2019 and the amendments resulted in the introduction of sound level limits for amplified sound and motorcycles, enhancements to the noise exemption permit process and the introduction of a dedicated noise enforcement team with late night coverage.

The City is now reviewing the implementation progress to examine the successes and outstanding challenges related to the bylaw. The review aims to assess the bylaw amendments made in 2019 and consider proposed refinements, including:

• Assessing the effectiveness of the current decibel limits and enforcement approach for amplified sound
• Enhancing the City’s response to excessive vehicle noise
• Strengthening noise enforcement and strategies for the proactive mitigation of noise issues

The City also intends to respond to additional issues as part of the implementation review, including potential decibel limits for power devices (such as leaf blowers and lawn mowers), regulations for waste collection noise and strengthening the noise exemption permit process.

The City does not have jurisdiction over aircraft noise and does not regulate noise related to government construction projects (for example, major transit infrastructure projects). These topics will not be a focus of the review.

Get Involved

Public Consultations

You can provide feedback on the bylaw and your experience with the implementation at six virtual and in-person public consultations, each focused on a particular type of noise in the bylaw and facilitated by a public consultation firm. You are welcome to attend multiple consultations and registration is available online. Note that there will be two identical meetings held for General Noise and Amplified Sound, one virtual and another in-person.

General Noise (for example: unreasonable and persistent noise, power device noise and noise from waste collection)

• In-person meeting: Tuesday, September 12 at Metro Hall, 55 John Street, Room 308/309 (7 to 9 p.m.). Register online.
• Virtual meeting: Tuesday, September 19 (7 to 9 p.m.). Register and attend online.

Amplified Sound (for example, music from bars)

• Virtual meeting: Wednesday, September 13 (7 to 9 p.m.). Register and attend online.
• In-person meeting: Thursday, September 21 at Metro Hall, 55 John Street, Room 308/309 (7 to 9 p.m.). Register online.

Motor Vehicle Noise

• Virtual meeting: Monday, September 18 (7 to 9 p.m.). Register and attend online.

Construction Noise (for example: condo developments and residential infill)

• In-person meeting: Wednesday, September 20 at North York Central Library, 5120 Yonge Street, Meeting Room 101 (5:30 – 7:30 p.m.). Register online.

The locations for all in-person consultations are fully accessible. Assistive listening devices, materials in large-print and alternative formats, ASL interpreters, and other accommodations will be made available upon request. Please email mlsfeedback@toronto.ca at least 72 hours in advance to help ensure availability. The City of Toronto is committed to building an inclusive society and ensuring compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005.

Email Submissions

You can also submit your feedback by emailing mlsfeedback@toronto.ca. The deadline to submit feedback is October 15, 2023.

The feedback from the public consultations will be used to recommend refinements to the Noise Bylaw in a staff report expected at the Economic Community and Development Committee in November 2023.

The City has also procured an independent acoustical engineering firm to provide a technical review of the bylaw and a firm to conduct broad public opinion research.