Guide
What the Nuisance and Noise Control By-law bans and when, how exemption permits work, and whom to call.
Burlington's Nuisance and Noise Control By-law (019-2003) bans amplified sound clearly audible at a neighbour's property from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. (9 a.m. on Sundays), construction equipment from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. and all day on Sundays and statutory holidays, and persistent barking or shouting at any time. Exemptions for things like extended construction hours need a noise exemption permit. Report noise to By-law Enforcement at 905-335-7731 or bylaw@burlington.ca.
The Nuisance and Noise Control By-law (By-law 019-2003) regulates and prohibits certain noises and nuisances. The City publishes an office consolidation that includes later amendments, for convenience; certified copies come from Legislative Services.
Both. Besides the timed bans, the by-law says no noise or vibration may be made so as to be heard or felt outside the property if it is excessive or may cause a nuisance, judged in view of all the circumstances, including the nature of the neighbourhood, how adjoining properties are used and the time of day. Some sounds, listed as general prohibitions, are banned whenever they are clearly audible at a neighbour's property.
Strong, moving or twinkling lights that shine onto other people's land so as to cause a nuisance are also banned under the same by-law.
Each timed ban applies when the sound is clearly audible at a point of reception in the area the by-law specifies.
Operating any electronic device with loudspeakers intended to produce, reproduce or amplify sound, such as a stereo or speaker, is prohibited from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m., and until 9 a.m. on Sundays. Persistent yelling, shouting, screaming, hooting, whistling or singing is prohibited at any time.
Selling or advertising by shouting or amplified sound is also banned at any time.
Operating construction equipment in connection with construction is prohibited from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., and all day on Sundays and statutory holidays. Construction equipment must also have effective muffling devices in good working order at all times.
The City can approve a noise exemption permit to extend construction hours, so work outside these hours may be authorized.
Operating any powered or non-powered tool for domestic purposes, other than for snow removal, is prohibited from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m., and until 9 a.m. on Sundays. Combustion engines in toys or models used only for amusement follow the same hours.
Yes. Persistent barking, calling, whining or other similar persistent noise by a domestic pet or any other animal kept for a purpose other than agriculture is prohibited at any time, day or night.
At any time: racing, squealing tires, engines without an effective muffler, rattling or banging from an unsecured load, and sounding a horn except where required or authorized by law. Leaving an engine running for more than five minutes while a vehicle is stationary in a residential area is also banned, with exceptions such as cold weather or equipment that needs the engine to work.
Operating air horns and setting off fireworks are prohibited at any time, except as the by-law or the Fireworks By-law allows.
Loading, unloading or otherwise handling containers, materials or refuse is prohibited from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. unless necessary for essential services. Garbage and recycling bulk-lift or compacting equipment is prohibited from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. Bells, horns, sirens and similar signalling devices are prohibited from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., as are sound-emitting pest control devices and snow-making equipment.
The by-law does not apply to authorized emergency vehicles, bells at traffic signals and railway crossings, or equipment run by or for the City on public works for emergency purposes, including snow clearing and removal, turf maintenance, line painting, catch basin cleaning, tree pruning and mulching, sidewalk repair and street cleaning. Sound from emergency measures for people's immediate health, safety or welfare, or to preserve or restore property, is also lawful.
The emergency allowance does not cover sound clearly longer or more disturbing than reasonably necessary for the emergency.
The Chief Noise Control Officer may approve noise exemptions for construction or similar activities, including requests to extend permitted work hours; all other exemption applications need Council approval through a staff report. The City recommends applying at least 30 days before the event. You must consult By-law Compliance staff, then send a Noise Exemption Notice to all residences within 150 metres of the event or project location.
Incomplete applications can delay processing. The public can see active and concluded exemptions on the City's online map.
The application must be in writing to the Chief Noise Control Officer, with your name and address, the source of sound, the provisions you want an exemption from, the period (no longer than six months), your reasons, and any steps toward compliance. It must include the $175.00 application fee and a City-approved flyer notice to all residences within a 150-metre radius, and be submitted at least 14 days before the event.
An application is not complete until all required information is provided, and the officer can refuse it or approve a lesser exemption.
Report noise to By-law Enforcement by phone at 905-335-7731 or by email at bylaw@burlington.ca, and include your name, address and telephone number. The City says information provided is confidential and will not be shared. Animal concerns such as barking dogs go to Animal Control at 905-335-7777 or city@burlington.ca.
Anyone who contravenes any provision of the by-law is guilty of an offence and, on conviction, is liable to a fine under the Provincial Offences Act. The by-law is enforced by noise control officers, municipal law enforcement officers and Halton Regional Police constables; only certified officers enforce the parts that need sound level measurements.
City of Burlington
Frequently Requested By-lawsCity of Burlington
By-law Enforcement