Noise and Nuisance Concerns
Noise and/or nuisance by-law violations can result in fines being issued by Enforcement Services officers.
Understand the noise and nuisance by-laws
The Town of Oakville's noise and nuisance by-laws aim to minimize disturbances in your neighbourhood and regulate or prohibit activities that may reasonably prevent you or your neighbours from enjoying your own properties.
Failure to comply with the Noise By-law and/or Nuisance By-law can result in fines being issued by Enforcement Services officers.
Public engagement
On September 11, 2024, town staff offered an open house to learn more about proposed changes to the town’s noise regulations for outdoor music on restaurant patios. Thank you to all who attended!
Town staff are considering options to help support the vibrancy of business improvement areas, commercial areas, and mixed-use areas while providing a balanced living environment for residents.
Read our community advisory for more information.
Noise By-law
Under the Noise By-law, prohibited noises include but are not limited to:
- Barking dogs
- Persistent noise from animals is prohibited at all times
- Construction noise
- Prohibited 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. (Monday to Saturday) and prohibited on Sundays and statutory holidays.
- A homeowner performing construction such as putting up a fence or deck is prohibited from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. (9 a.m. on Sundays).
- Fireworks
- Prohibited at all times unless permitted by other town by-laws. Visit the Fireworks Safety page and the Fireworks By-law page for more information.
- Excessive motorcycle noise
- Prohibited at all times. Motorcycle noise is considered excessive when the exhaust emits sounds above 92 decibels (dB) at idle. Most idling motorcycles emit sounds below 92 dB, unless they have a modified or after-market exhaust system.
- Sound amplification devices (speakers, radios, outdoor TVs)
- Use of sound amplification devices is prohibited between 5 p.m. and 7 a.m. (9 a.m. on Sundays) if clearly audible from a neighbouring property.
- Yard maintenance tools (ie. lawn mower, leaf blower)
- Operation of yard maintenance tools, except for snow removal equipment, is prohibited between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. (9 a.m. on Sundays)
If the noise you are concerned about occurs regularly, consider keeping a sound log which records information such as:
- Time and date you heard the noise
- How long the noise lasted
- Description of the noise
- Location of the noise
All entries should be made at the time the noise is heard, handwritten in blue or black ink. Keeping track of this information can help Enforcement Services perform a thorough investigation related to your concerns.
Download a sample sound log (pdf).
Proposed Noise By-law updates
The Town of Oakville has completed a draft of its updated Noise By-law. Some updates to the by-law, which regulates excessive sound to minimize disturbances in the community, include:
- New decibel and time limits, including reducing the allowable outdoor decibel (dBA) level of music/tv sources from 55 dBA to 50 dBA, and increasing the timeframe from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., to 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Amendments to reflect changes to the Municipal Act, including the province permitting noise generated by deliveries to a broad range of businesses and removing municipal authority to control noise related to the delivery of goods.
Read the staff report supporting the draft Noise By-law.
Nuisance By-law
Under the Nuisance By-law, nuisance activities include but are not limited to:
- Creating vibrations
- Putting smoke, dust, objectionable smells or other waste into the air
- Shining indoor or outdoor lights directly from one property into another property