Bylaw enforcement - noise complaints

Notice: Use of Seagull Sound Canon at TTC Leslie Barns beginning March 13, 2024
TTC will be using two sound canons (7am to 7pm, maximum of 4 times per hour at random intervals only when required) to mitigate seagull nesting this season. For more information, please refer to TTC's Neighborhood Advisory.

News Release: February 8, 2024:  Toronto City Council listens to public and adopts Noise Bylaw updates

The Noise Bylaw

The noise bylaw provides standards for noise in Toronto. This includes decibel limits and time restrictions for some types of noise.

Toronto is a growing, vibrant city, where noise can be common. We encourage residents to exercise a reasonable degree of tolerance and to review the bylaw regulations by type of noise prior to submitting a service request.

If you have a concern, consider speaking with those responsible for making the noise to give them an opportunity to correct the issue. If you are a tenant, please speak to your landlord first and give them a reasonable period of time to correct the issue. It is the same process if you are a landlord, to engage  with the relevant party about correcting the issue first. 

If this approach does not work, you may consider using mediation services as an alternative means to resolving the issues. If the issue is not resolved, you can submit a noise complaint below, or contact 311. 
 

Using Mediation in Noise Complaints

The City has partnered with TNG Community Services, an organization that provides free voluntary community mediation services to Toronto residents, as an alternative means to resolving a dispute with the help of neutral mediators. Further information can be found by visiting the TNG Community Services website.
 

What happens after you submit a service request for noise?

  • The goal is to resolve the issue and achieve compliance with the bylaw.
  • A bylaw enforcement officer will be assigned to respond to your request and will contact you according to the assessed priority of the service request.
  • If there is a possible noise bylaw violation, the officer may conduct an investigation, which could include education, mediation, and/or enforcement actions.
  • In the event that legal action is necessary, you may be asked to provide a witness statement and give evidence in court.
Your request for service will be assessed on a priority basis. Cases that require an investigation will be opened within one to three days depending on request volumes, resources, and assessed priority.


Noise Exemption

Individuals can apply for a noise exemption to work outside of the permitted hours as long as they meet the application requirement. Learn more about the noise exemption process.

Please note:  

  • The Municipal Licensing and Standards Division does not respond to demonstrations, noisy parties, or noise from people acting disorderly, such as yelling, screaming and fighting. To report these types of noise, call the Toronto Police Service non-emergency number. For emergencies, call 9-1-1
  • The City does no respond directly to complaints about isolated events that are unlikely to recur or occur very infrequently, noise that is not in violation of the Noise Bylaw
  • As per Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 591-3.1 safety and government work allow bells or sirens required for the purposes of public safety including sirens when operated by Police Services, Fire and Paramedic Services, or bells or whistles operated by rail or transit services (this includes fire/smoke alarms). These are exempt from the Noise Bylaw.