Noise
The purpose of the Noise Control By-law is to support a healthy, safe, and peaceful living environment for all residents by minimizing disruptive or harmful noise. It aims to balance the needs of a vibrant city—such as construction and community events—with the right of individuals to enjoy reasonable quiet. By regulating excessive noise, the by-law contributes to the overall social, economic, and environmental well-being of the community.
About the Noise Control By-law
The Noise By-law 121-2021 (PDF) regulates noise and the times of day noise can occur. The purpose of the by-law is to preserve and protect the safety and welfare of all residents of the city by reducing unwanted sound in the City.
The By-law regulates:
- When amplified sound can be made
- Noise from special events
- The noise level of an air conditioner, heat pump or similar device
- When construction related noise can be made
- When noise can be made by a transport truck, commercial vehicle or any other vehicle used to transport goods
Noise Complaint Process
Noise by-law complaints are received by Service Vaughan and directed to by By-law and Compliance, Licensing and Permit Services for response.
Steps to resolving a noise complaint
- Speak to the person making the noise. They may not be aware that the noise is disturbing you and a short conversation may be all it takes to fix the issue.
- If you cannot speak with the person and the noise violation is currently happening, call 905-832-2281 and a Municipal Law Enforcement Officer will attend the call in priority sequence.
- If a noise violation occurs regularly, complete a noise log and submit to By-law and Compliance, Licensing and Permit Services.
Information needed to file a noise complaint
The following information is required to make a noise complaint:
- The address or general area(s) where the noise is occurring
- Description of the type of noise/sound such as construction, music, or vehicle noise
- When the sound commenced, the duration and frequency
- Information about the possible source, such as a business, event or private residence
- How the sound was confirmed or identified
- The impact the sound is having
The City does not accept anonymous complaints, but your information is kept confidential. Visit Enforcement and Animal Complaints for more information about the by-law complaint process.
To make a noise complaint, call 905-832-2281 or email bylaw@vaughan.ca.
Noise Exemptions
A noise exemption can be requested for construction related noise that may be contrary to the standards of the Noise Control by-law.
Applicants must complete the and submit the Construction Noise Application Form at least 90 days prior to the desired start date of the noise.
| iTEM | 2025 fEE | 2026 fEE |
|---|---|---|
| Noise Exemption Application Fee | $435 | $449 |
More Information About Noise Complaints, Penalties, and Regulations
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To file a complaint, you should:
- Gather details – Note the location, type, time, and duration of the noise
- Check exemptions – Make sure the noise isn’t allowed under the by-law
Contact the City of Vaughan
By email
Send your complaint to bylaw@vaughan.ca
If your complaint is about an animal (i.e. barking dog) contact Vaughan Animal Services by email animal.services@vaughan.caIn person
Visit the By-law and Compliance, Licensing and Permit Services Counter at Vaughan City Hall, 2141 Major Mackenzie Drive, Vaughan, ON L6A 1T1.
Regular business hours are 8:30am-4:30pm, Monday to Friday (except statutory holidays)By phone
Call 905-832-2281. Calls are answered 24h a day, 7 days a week.
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Upon receiving a noise complaint, the City will take the following actions:
- A Municipal Law Enforcement Officer will be assigned to assess and respond to a noise complaint on a priority basis
- The officer will review and prioritize the complaint based on its likelihood to reoccur and impact to residents
- The officer will investigate and take the appropriate action which may involve education, mediation, and/or enforcement measures including penalties (fines)
- If the noise is exempt (e.g., permitted event, emergency work), no action will be taken.
Visit Enforcement and Animal Complaints for more information about making a by-law complaint.
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Penalty amounts range from $200 to $100,000 depending on the severity and frequency of the offence.
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In general, the by-law prohibits:
- Excessive noise from stationary sources that exceed set limits in residential areas or quiet zones.
- Unusual or disruptive noise that disturbs residents.
- Loud music, shouting, bells, or horns that cause disturbance.
- Noise from certain activities listed in Schedule 1 (General Prohibitions) and Schedule 2 (Prohibited by Time and Place) of the by-law
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Yes. If the noise is loud enough to disturb residents and occurs during restricted hours, you can file a complaint.
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Construction noise is permitted from 7am to 7pm, Monday - Saturday, excluding statutory holidays.
If someone wishes to make construction noise outside of the times permitted in the by-law, they can submit a Construction Noise Exemption Application at least 90 days prior to the start date of the work.
Certain activities, such as emergency repairs on public infrastructure, do not require a Construction Noise Exemption and may occur at any time.
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Yes. Certain activities that are related to health and safety and the maintenance of vital infrastructure are exempt from the by-law including:
- Sirens on emergency vehicles including firetrucks, police cars, and ambulances
- Snow clearing operations
- Emergency work or urgent repairs for public safety
- Necessary municipal work on public infrastructure
- Industrial noise regulated by the Ministry of the Environment
- Commercial deliveries to retail stores, restaurants, and hotels
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As part of the special events application process, organizers must provide detailed information about their event, including information about noise and plans to mitigate any disturbances to residences and businesses in the surrounding area. Depending on the nature of the event, the City may impose additional conditions to ensure public safety and minimize disruption. When reviewing applications for special events that include noise exemptions, the City considers the applicant’s history of compliance with relevant by-laws. This helps inform any conditions that may be placed on the event.
Monitoring and Enforcement
Compliance with exemption conditions is typically monitored through complaint-based investigations. If there have been previous violations, the City may require the event organizer to pay for mandatory noise monitoring as a condition for the event to proceed.Violations of Exemption Conditions
If an applicant violates the terms of their exemption, the City may revoke the Special Events permit or issue Penalty Notices (fines). -
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No. The Noise Control by-law does not have provisions for noise exemptions for private events such as birthday parties or weddings.