Noise Bylaw Review

The Town of Aurora is modernizing our current noise bylaw to ensure that Aurora continues to be a safe, inclusive and enjoyable community for all of our residents. After extensive research and public consultation we now have proposed changes for the bylaw which aim to strike a balance between respecting property rights and providing flexibility for events like birthday parties, weddings, and religious holidays.

The existing noise bylaw, in place since 2006, is outdated and does not address current community expectations, changing legislative requirements, and recent changes to the Municipal Act that have changed the authority and scope of Municipal Noise By-laws.

Share your thoughts on the proposed changes to the Noise Bylaw and what's working and what's not by taking our online survey, sharing a comment and/or asking a question below. Survey will close on July 17, 2021.

Did we hear you correctly?

The proposed changes to the Noise Bylaw (listed below) are the result of feedback the Town received during public consultation with residents and stakeholders in March of 2020, and a comparison of bylaws from other neighbouring municipalities. We encourage you to review the changes and let us know if you have additional input or thoughts on the proposed noise bylaw.

Noise Bylaw proposed changes

1. Noise Exemption Permit – Construction projects may apply for relief for work that meets the criteria established in Section 3 of the proposed by-law. The exemption process will provide authority to the Manager of Bylaw Services to make this decision.
   
   Construction noise is prohibited on Statutory Holidays
   Between 8 p.m. and 7 a.m. Monday to Friday
   Between 8 p.m. Friday to 9 a.m. on Saturday
   Between 5 p.m. Saturday to 7 a.m. Monday
   
   
2. Residential Renovations – The current Noise By-law prohibits any noise associated with home renovations/repairs on a Sunday. The proposed by-law will allow residents to work on their decks, paint windows, and complete other household tasks on Sunday’s between the hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
   
   Residential Renovations are prohibited:
   Between 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. Monday to Saturday
   Between 8 p.m. Saturday to 9 a.m. Sunday
   Between 5 p.m. Sunday to 7 a.m. Monday
   
   
3. Solid Waste Collection – In an attempt to reduce traffic on Town roadways and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from large trucks idling, the proposed Noise By-law allows for Solid Waste collection between 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. in areas that are not zoned residential or directly abut a residential area. Garbage collection is prohibited between 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. at Commercial and Industrial properties which are residential abutting.
   
   
4. Elimination of Noise Prohibitions by Zoning - The Town proposes to eliminate noise restrictions based on Zoning and implement a general prohibition for persistent and unreasonable noise that is audible from a point of reception.
   
   
5. Exemption Requests - The Town proposes to introduce an exemption application for construction noise. This process will give the Town an opportunity place conditions on construction activity while ensuring the general needs of the community are adhered to. An exemption request does not guarantee it will be granted.
   
   
6. Increased Fines for Businesses and Continued Non-compliance - The Town proposes implementing a higher upper limit fine of $100,000.00 for continued offences and non-compliance.
   
   
7. Definitions – The proposed Noise By-law has received many updates to the definitions section. Various definitions have been added, deleted, or updated to reflect changes in other forms of legislation and to support modernization.