An enhanced City of Toronto Noise Bylaw takes effect today. Toronto City Council approved the noise bylaw amendments in April 2019 to make it easier to understand and enforce noise complaints. This updated bylaw is now in place.
As part of the bylaw enhancements, the City’s Municipal Licensing & Standards (MLS) division has introduced a new dedicated noise team to help ensure effective implementation and compliance with the new regulations. The new team is composed of two dozen Bylaw Enforcement Officers, along with management and administrative support, and will be available to respond to noise complaints seven days a week from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m.
The new team will also be using:
• modernized investigative techniques developed with sound engineering experts
• a new case prioritization model to more effectively focus efforts on highly impactful and frequent duration events
• new case management software to assist in investigation efforts and provide increased communication channels with the public.
Some of the other changes to the bylaw include:
• updated and new definitions to assist with interpretation of the bylaw
• more detailed and clearer regulations broken down by category
• introduction of quantitative decibel limits for amplified sound and motor vehicles.
Bylaws are typically reviewed every five to 10 years. This is the first update to the Noise Bylaw since 2010. Since that time, Toronto has changed significantly. The City began reviewing the Noise Bylaw in 2015. As part of this process, the City convened a Noise Working Group composed of stakeholders from City divisions, agencies, resident associations, industry and the business community. MLS also conducted research and a jurisdictional scan to inform the new bylaw.
The types of noise infractions that are enforced are outlined at https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/public-notices-bylaws/bylaw-enforcement/noise/.
The full bylaw is available at https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/bylaws/2019/law0878.pdf.
Quotes:
“We listened to Toronto residents’ concerns about noise in the city and have taken action. Through consultation and research we now have an enhanced Noise Bylaw with clearer definitions, rules and a new enforcement team to help deal with noise complaints in our growing city.”
– Mayor John Tory
“The updated Noise Bylaw reflects our growing and vibrant city while enhancing noise standards for residents through the introduction of clearer, more consistent standards.”
– Councillor Paul Ainslie (Ward 24 Scarborough-Guildwood), Chair of General Government and Licensing Committee
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