Toronto's enhanced noise bylaw comes into effect today
The city’s strengthened noise bylaw that cracks down on loud disturbances, including noisy drivers, came into effect today.
Now there are decibel limits and time restrictions for certain types of noise, such as amplified music from restaurants, motor vehicle noise, and construction, according to the city.
There is now a new dedicated ‘noise team,’ which is apart of Toronto’s Municipal Licensing & Standards (MLS) division, to help enforce the bylaw.
The new team is made up of two dozen bylaw enforcement officers, along with management and administrative support, and will now be available to respond to noise complaints seven days a week from 6 am to 2 am.
The team will be armed with special monitoring devices developed by sound engineering experts, according to the city.
“We listened to Toronto residents’ concerns about noise in the city and have taken action,” said Mayor John Tory.
“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.”
Some of the new changes under the enhanced bylaw include motorcycle emission sounds cannot exceed 92 dB(A) from the exhaust outlet as measured at 50 cm. Additionally, unnecessary motor vehicle noise, including loud horns, engine revving, and tire squealing are also banned.
Moreover, the noise bylaw does not permit amplified sounds from concerts and events; persistent noise from animals including barking, calling, or whining; construction noise between 7 pm and 7 am on weekdays or at all on Sundays or statutory holidays.
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