Toronto council votes to reduce noise for indoor and outdoor events

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Toronto will be a little quieter soon.

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The City Council voted Wednesday to lower the decibel level for indoor and outdoor events after public comments and an extensive review of the current noise law.

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The updates include changes to the noise exemption permitting process, which now requires additional conditions for loud events such as a large concert using amplified sound near a residential area, lowering nighttime indoor amplified sound limits by three decibels (from 45 dB to 42 dB and). 11pm to 7am from 60dB to 57dB) and adding sound-causing vibrations to ban “unreasonable and persistent” noise.

For comparison, a suburban area averages 40 decibels at night, and a business office averages 60-65 decibels.

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Council also asked staff to develop a process to monitor noise from garbage collectors and report when it needs to be addressed, educate Torontonians about the updated regulations, allow residents to send complaints to 311 about broader noise issues, and allow noise exemptions and city workers to monitor noise. introducing new and updated fees for

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

“The changes to the noise law adopted by the council… show that we are listening to residents' concerns about noise and acting on the basis of extensive consultation and research to balance the competing needs of people who live, work and visit our ever-growing city. »

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But the changes will not happen immediately.

Updates to specific bans, such as amplified sound, will take effect June 1, and the rest of the bylaw's amendments to the permit-to-exemption process will begin Sept. 1, the city said.

It's not just noise complaints that are dealt with.

Staff is expected to report back to the economic and community development committee on Feb. 20 on additional options to reduce motorcycle and car noise levels.

Last year, the council looked at how the noise law was being enforced and the challenges the city was facing.

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

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

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