Noise

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.

Noise complaints are prioritized so that requests that are more frequent and impactful to residents can be responded to most effectively. As such, City staff may not investigate an isolated or infrequent noise complaint in order to ensure more persistent and recurring noise issues are investigated. Bylaw enforcement officers are not emergency responders, do not respond to noise complaints on an emergency basis, and do not have the authority to immediately stop a noise event.

Before submitting a noise complaint, please learn more about the noise regulations and the types of complaints the City can respond to.

In 2023, the City conducted an implementation review of the successes and changes to the Noise Bylaw (2024.EC9.5). In 2024, City Council adopted updates to the Noise Bylaw and key changes came into effect on June 1, including:

• New and updated definitions in the bylaw to provide additional clarification.
• Strengthened rules for “amplified sound” by lowering nighttime indoor limits by three decibels (from 45 dB(A) to 42 dB(A) or from 60 dB(C) to 57 dB(C)) from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m.
• Addition of limits to specific musical instruments, such as drums, which may not be amplified but still can produce excessive sounds.
• A new noise decibel limit for stationary motor vehicles, in addition to limits currently in place for motorcycles at idle, to be enforced alongside the Toronto Police Service.
• Introduction of sound-induced vibrations into the prohibition on “unreasonable and persistent” noise, which will now allow the City to take a more holistic response to public concerns about the health impacts of noise.
• Updated fees related to the Noise Bylaw.

Changes to modernize the noise exemption permit process, which updated the requirements, criteria, timelines, and fees, came into effect on September 1, 2024.

Some types of noise are exempt such as sirens, bells or work needed to respond to an emergency, government work, and noise from waste collection are exempt from the Noise Bylaw. More details can be found by viewing the Noise Bylaw.

Amplified sound and instrument sound (for example, music from bars or concerts)

Noise will be measured by bylaw enforcement officers using sound meters and compared against the standards as identified in the bylaw. Measurement will be taken by trained staff from an indoor or outdoor point of reception. Instrument sound refers to sound made by any musical instrument, including the unamplified playing of percussion instruments. Ambient (background noise) will be taken into consideration when conducting measurements.

Amplified sound is not permitted on private patios, on sidewalk cafés or by busker permit holders (unless the permit holder has obtained a street event permit under the Use of Streets and Sidewalks Bylaw).

Animals

Persistent noise from any animal is not permitted. Examples include persistent barking, calling or whining. These complaints are enforced by Toronto Animal Services.

Construction

Construction noise is not permitted when it is clearly audible from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. the next day or until 9 a.m. on Saturdays, and all-day Sunday and statutory holidays.

Loading and unloading

Noise is not permitted from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. the next day or until 9 a.m. on Saturdays, Sundays and statutory holidays. This includes noise from loading, unloading, delivering, packing, unpacking and otherwise handling any containers, products or materials. This does not apply to noise made in connection with the delivery of goods to retail business establishments, restaurants, hotels and motels, goods distribution centres, or to waste collection.

Motor vehicles and motorcycles

Unnecessary noise (for example, engine revving and tire squealing) from stationary vehicles that is clearly audible at point of reception is not permitted.

Clearly audible noise from vehicle repairs, rebuilding, modifying or testing is not permitted from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. the next day, except until 9 a.m. on Saturdays, Sundays and statutory holidays.

Stationary motor vehicle noise cannot exceed the approved standards of 92 dB(A) from the exhaust while the vehicle is at idle or 96 dB(A) at any engine speed greater than idle, which is measured by bylaw enforcement officers using sound meters.

Please note, bylaw enforcement officers do not have the authority to pull over moving vehicles and certain bylaw provisions exist only to allow for enforcement during joint traffic blitzes with Toronto Police Services. Traffic blitzes are often conducted over a short period of time (one or more weekends), at strategic locations targeting specific traffic violations.

Data from noise complaints related to moving motor vehicle noise is crucial for the planning of enforcement initiatives with Toronto Police Services. Please contact 311 to submit all noise complaints so that the complaint data can be used to inform enforcement.

Power devices (for example, leaf blowers, chain saw, lawn mowers, pressure washers and grass trimmers)

On weekdays, power device noise is not permitted from 7 p.m. until 8 a.m. the next day. On Saturdays, Sundays and statutory holidays, power device is not permitted from 7 p.m. to 9 a.m. the next day. These rules do not apply to devices used to maintain golf courses, public parks, or any City operations including services contracted by the City and to snow removal devices.

While tidy yards and gardens may be pleasant, the noise from leaf blowers can end up disturbing those nearby. Learn about the rules for using leaf blowers and avoid using it too early or too late. Yards can also be cleaned without using leaf blowers. If leaf blowers must be used, consider using green technologies and taking steps to reduce the noise and other impacts from devices.

Religious ceremony in a place of worship

Sound cannot disturb a religious ceremony in a place of worship.

Stationary sources and residential air conditioners

Stationary sound is made by sources that do not normally move from place to place, such as residential air conditioners, heat pumps, generators and fans. Measurements are taken by bylaw enforcement officers using a sound meter and compared against the standards identified in the bylaw.

Stationary sound (or combination of sounds) can also be made by industrial facilities. This type of sound is regulated by and may require a permit from the provincial government. For concerns regarding industrial noise please contact your local Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change office.

Unreasonable and persistent noise (for example, ongoing building or equipment alarms and neighbours dropping gym equipment during unreasonable hours

Noise not captured in the categories above, cannot be unreasonable and persistent. This section also captures sound-induced vibrations. Unreasonable noise is any noise or sound-induced vibration that would disturb the peace, rest, enjoyment, comfort or convenience of a reasonable person and does not include commonplace household or workplace sounds. Persistent noise is any noise or sound-induced vibration that is continuously heard for 10 minutes or more or intermittently over a period of one hour or more.

Before submitting a complaint, we encourage residents to exercise a reasonable degree of tolerance and consider speaking with those responsible for making the noise to give them an opportunity to correct the issue. If applicable, follow-up with your landlord, condominium corporation or other entity that has the authority to resolve your noise concerns.

The City does not 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, or issues under the jurisdiction of another agency. Data from complaints of this nature will be captured by 311 but will not lead to formal investigations. These will instead be logged to inform future enforcement or policy initiatives and/or referred to other agencies.

Bylaw enforcement officers do 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 at 416-808-2222. For emergencies, call 911.

If you are unable to resolve the issue and the noise does not meet the above exemptions, you can call 311 or submit a complaint online. If you are outside of Toronto and want to reach a 311 customer service representative, please call 416-392-2489.

What happens after you submit a noise complaint?

The goal is to resolve the issue and achieve compliance with the bylaw. A bylaw enforcement officer will be assigned to respond to your complaints and will contact you according to the assessed priority of the complaints.

Each issue is addressed on case-by-case basis to make sure reasonable, fair and appropriate actions are taken. 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.

Individuals and organizations can apply for a noise exemption permit for specific events or activities that may be in contravention of the Noise Bylaw if all application requirements are met. Learn more about the noise exemption process and how to apply for Noise Exemption Permits. Any holders of a Noise Exemption Permit must comply with its conditions.

Information about all noise exemption permits issued as of January 1, 2024, as well as any active permits that were issued prior to this date is available on Open Data.

Learn more about the noise exemption process and how to apply for noise exemption permit. Any holders of a noise exemption permit must comply with its conditions.

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.

Mediation can help deliver better service, divert some cases from bylaw enforcement, and get to the root cause of long-standing community or neighbour-to-neighbour issues. The process is separate from bylaw enforcement and completely confidential.

Residents may seek resolution to their issue using mediation services directly to TNG Community Services.

TNG Community Services

For situations north of Eglinton Avenue
416-839-3425 or crt.northyork@tngcs.org

For situations south of Eglinton Avenue
416-827-5929 or crt.intake@tngcs.org

Government work, noise due to safety measures or emergency work and waste collection are exempt from the Noise Bylaw. Government work includes construction, rehabilitation or maintenance work conducted by the City, Province of Ontario, Government of Canada and any of its agencies or agents, including the operation of motor vehicles and equipment actually engaged in the work. Safety measures include bells or sirens operated by police, fire, paramedic services and bells or whistles operated by rail or transit services.

The following types of noise are outside the scope of the bylaw:

• Moving motor vehicle noise
• Airport and aircraft noise
• Noise from provincial or federal infrastructure works (e.g. Metrolinx projects)
• Noise from watercraft (e.g. ‘party boats’) or railways

Bylaw enforcement officers also do 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 at 416-808-2222. For emergencies, call 911.

Residents can contact 311 to submit a noise complaint. If there is a complaint or information about a possible violation, Bylaw Enforcement Officers investigate, educate and/or take enforcement actions.

The goal is to resolve issues and ensure that residents and business are following bylaws. Each issue is addressed on case-by-case basis to make sure reasonable, fair and appropriate actions are taken. For example, in some cases the issue may be resolved through education. In other cases, a referral to mediation services, or further enforcement action is required.

If a resident or business does not comply with the Noise Bylaw, they are guilty of an offence. If they are issued a ticket and convicted, they may have to pay a fine for the offence set out in the table below.

If they are issued a summons to court and convicted, they may have to pay a fine up to $100,000 or a daily fine of up to $10,000 for each day the violation continues. In addition, they may have to pay a special fine for economic gains from the bylaw violation. If it is a corporation, every director or officer may have to pay a fine of no more than $100,000.