Noise Bylaw Review
Consultation has concluded
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The existing noise bylaw, in place since 2006, is outdated and does not address current community expectations, changing legislative requirements, and recent changes to the Municipal Act that have changed the authority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
- 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 - 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 - 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Who's Listening
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Email awray@aurora.ca
Videos
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General Committee - CS21-017 - Modernized Noise By-law
it would be nice if the town of aurora ontario was responsible enough to make notice of the past survey which i just so happened to stumble on by accident (obviously late) looking for a way to stop the NOISE IN THE TOWN PARK. there are people who don't read your propaganda (so would not know that they have to come looking for it) but wish to have their human rights respected and protected (which means you are not doing you job correctly and getting the survey out to all the people that matter). it also means that the bullying which happens at least 2 times per week lately (even during covid) needs to stop immediately. the town of aurora has over and over, used their white man's privilege mentality to come into my (our) front yard and blast noise in the form of amplified sounds into the peaceful and respectful neighborhood completely as if they are trying to get a lesson/message to us all that states “well if it doesn't bother me than how could it possibly bother the residents”. This is so similar to how the natives of canada were treated and how the white man got away with slavery and I could go on about this. IT NEEDS TO STOP IMEDIATELY. yes i missed your hidden survey deadline but i'm sure that wouldn’t have made any difference. I still have to leave my house every time these amplified parties happen because it is impossible to do any work or relax or have guests over or just live normal with like my GOD GIVEN HUMAN RIGHTS intact and protected and respected!
by the way your survey didn’t even include a selection of “amplified sounds in residential places”... how convenient people... SHAME ON YOU!
this comment/message is also bcc’d to relevant parties of interest and can and will be used in conjunction with other correspondence to the town of aurora ontario over the past 15 years.
Alex Vella-Zarb
The public consultation on the noise bylaw March 2020 apparently identified 3 main noise areas of concern: Residential Noise, Construction Noise, and Vehicle Noise. However, one dangerous noise source was not identified, outdoor venues such as concerts and other performances.
The last two big ticket Rib Fest Concerts held in Aurora, family events with small children present, produced potentially damaging sound levels. This "wall of sound" obviously exceeded dBA guidelines from the province and can cause short term and long term hearing damage.
https://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/hs/pubs/liveperformance/gl_live_sound.php
These guidelines reflect sound intensity limitations, dBA and equivalent sound level exposure readings that are considered by countries world wide and WHO in order to protect our health and hearing.
Any permit given to such a venue should contain the requirement that provincial guidelines must be followed, a bond issued to guarantee compliance and payment for the contract the measurement of sound intensity by one of the many consultants available. (Bylaw claims that cost of equipment, training and calibration are prohibitive)
The new bylaw proposal states noise must not be "Persistent and Unreasonable". And how might that be defined, at the discretion of the investigating officer? Hardly something that would be held up in court.
Apparently we have based much of our proposed bylaw with reference to the City of Toronto and "others" Well the City of Toronto, as a result of every increasing complaints of concert noise has included sound level limitations in their bylaw.
https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/public-notices-bylaws/bylaw-enforcement/noise/
Yes, this may be Provincial jurisdiction, but licensing by the Town for such venues, must include compliance with and verification of Provincial legislation.
Sent to Mayor Mrakas and The Auriran!
Have you lived next door to a race track??
Well, those who live in Devonshire Place, 15390 Yonge Street, next door to Historic Hillary House and across from the beautifully renovated church feel that way from early morning to early morning 🌄. And, everyone else who lives along Yonge St. north of Wellington!!!
I spoke to the police at one of our street fairs, who told me we need to have a petition to do anything about it which I find extremely disturbing considering the loudness of the engines from motorcycles 🏍, suped up 4x4s, tanker and transport trucks and sport cars. And the speed!!! See a green light and rev it up!!! Unfortunately we are also a thruway for fire trucks and ambulances!
I moved from a busy street in Etobicoke 13 years ago to Aurora hoping for a lovely, peaceful, community minded down town. 😏 Instead we now have a raceway on Yonge St.!
Yes, there has been a major increase in condos and traffic downtown as well as new houses built in the surrounding area and, another one on the horizon next door to Hillary House.
PLEASE let us know how we can help calm down the down town??? 😌
We need your assistance and support, it is important as we continue to grow and develop the downtown after a very difficult year and a half!!! And many are nervous even walking on our sidewalks with the speed and noise!! Also, many new families with young children!
Appreciate your help as soon as possible, I also thought Aurora had a noise limit???