Toronto City Council votes to lower noise for indoor and outdoor activities

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Toronto will soon be a little quieter.

City Council voted Wednesday to lower decibel levels for indoor and outdoor activities following public feedback and an extensive review of the current noise bylaw.

The updates include a change to the noise exemption permit process that now requires additional conditions for loud events such as a large concert using amplified sound near a residential area, lowering nighttime indoor limits of amplified sound by three decibels (from 45 dB to 42 dB and from 60 dB to 57 dB between 11 p.m. to 7 a.m.), and adding sound-induced vibrations into the prohibition on “unreasonable and persistent” noise.

For comparison, a suburban area at night averages about 40 decibels while a business office ranges between 60 to 65 decibels.

Council also asked staff to develop a process to monitor noise from waste collectors and report back if it needs to be addressed, to educate Toronto residents about the updated regulations, to allow residents to submit complaints to 311 for a wider variety of noise issues, and to introduce new and updated fees for noise exemption permits and noise monitoring by city workers.

“In a city as large and vibrant as Toronto, certain levels of noise are reasonable and reflect life in a densely populated city,” Mayor Olivia Chow said in a statement.

“The changes to the noise bylaw that council adopted … demonstrate that we are listening to residents’ concerns about noise and are taking action based on extensive consultation and research to balance the competing needs of people living, working and visiting our ever-growing city.”

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But the changes won’t happen immediately.

The city says updates to specific prohibitions such as amplified sound will take effect on June 1 and the rest of the bylaw amendments related to the exemption permit process will begin Sept. 1.

Those are not the only noise complaints that will be addressed.

Staff are expected to file a report on additional options for reducing noise levels for motorcycles and motor vehicles to the economic and community development committee on Feb. 20.

Last year, council reviewed how the noise bylaw was being enforced and the challenges faced by the city.

The review included public opinion research, public consultations, engagement with residents and businesses, technical advice from an acoustical engineering firm and a review of jurisdictional best practices and approaches.

The city also heard from more than 750 participants at six consultations and received more than 2,200 emails with feedback.