HomeMy WebLinkAboutChapter 450 - NoiseKITCHENER 450.1 FEBRUARY 2024
GENERAL
Chapter 450
NOISE
Article 1
INTERPRETATION
450.1.1 Noise - defined
450.1.2 Officer - defined
450.1.3 Administrative Penalty By-law - defined
450.1.4 Designated provision - defined
Article 2
UNUSUAL NOISE - PROHIBITED
450.2.1 Unusual noise - prohibited
450.2.2 Adult of dwelling - responsibility
Article 3 MOTOR VEHICLE
450.3.1 Warning device - lawful use only
450.3.2 Warning device - unreasonable period
450.3.3 Disrepair - maladjustment 450.3.4 Motor vehicles 450.3.5 Exhaust - except through muffler
Article 4 ANIMAL OR BIRD
KITCHENER 450.2 FEBRUARY 2024
450.4.1 Unreasonable disturbance - of the peace Article 5
STEAM - AIR - GASEOUS MATERIAL
450.5.1 Whistle - attached to boiler - other mechanisms
450.5.2 Venting - pressure release Article 6 CONSTRUCTION WORK
450.6.1 Excavation - demolition - alteration - time limit
Article 7
RADIO - AMPLIFIER - PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEM
450.7.1 Radio - television - record or tape player 450.7.2 Attracting attention - to performance - advertising 450.7.3 Motor vehicle - radio operated from
Article 8
OTHER NOISES
450.8.1 Air-conditioning equipment 450.8.2 Shouting - yelling - hooting -whistling - singing 450.8.3 Quiet zones - school - hospital - court Article 9 EXCEPTIONS
450.9.1 Prohibitions - where not applicable
450.9.2 Use - amplification - in a reasonable manner
450.9.3 Band or parade - having written permission
KITCHENER 450.3 FEBRUARY 2024
450.9.4 Commercial calling - legitimate -moderate 450.9.5 Police - Ambulance - public service
450.9.6 Radio - in motor vehicle - limitation
450.9.7 Railway - operation - plant
450.9.8 Public convenience - necessity
450.9.9 Exemption - snow removal - for safety
Article 10 ENFORCEMENT 450.10.1 Fine - for contravention 450.10.2 Inspection - right of entry
450.10.3 Administrative Penalty By-law - applications 450.10.4 Administrative Penalty By-law - notice of contravention
450.10.5 Provincial Offences Act 450.10.6 Non-payment
KITCHENER 450.4 FEBRUARY 2024
Article 1
INTERPRETATION
450.1.1 Noise - defined
Without limiting the generality of the provisions of Section 450.2.1 the following
noises or sounds set out in Sections 450.3.1 through 450.8.3, inclusive, shall be
deemed to be unusual noises or noises likely to disturb the inhabitants.
450.1.2 Officer - defined
"officer" means any municipal law enforcement officer or by-law enforcement
officer of The Corporation of the City of Kitchener, and any member of the Waterloo
Regional Police Services.
450.1.3 Administrative Penalty By-law - defined
“Administrative Penalty By-law” means the Administrative Penalty By-law of the City, as amended from time to time, or any successor thereof. 450.1.4 Designated provision - defined “designated provision” means any section of this Chapter designated in
accordance with Article 10.
Article 2
UNUSUAL NOISE - PROHIBITED
450.2.1 Unusual noise - prohibited
No person shall, within the territorial limits of the City ring any bell, blow or sound
any horn or cause or permit the same to be rung, blown or sounded, shout or make
any unusual noise or noise likely to disturb the inhabitants or cause or permit the
same to be made. By-law
450.2.2 Adult of dwelling - responsibility
Every adult tenant and every adult occupant of a dwelling unit is deemed to permit
noise likely to disturb the inhabitants contrary to this Chapter where unusual noise
or noise likely to disturb the inhabitants emanates from the dwelling unit.
Article 3
MOTOR VEHICLE
450.3.1 Warning device - lawful use only
The sounding of any bell, horn, siren or other warning device on any motor vehicle,
KITCHENER 450.5 FEBRUARY 2024
motorcycle, snowmobile, bicycle or other vehicle of whatsoever kind except when
permitted by law.
450.3.2 Warning device - unreasonable period
The sounding of any such bell, horn, siren or warning device for an unnecessary or
unreasonable period of time.
450.3.3 Disrepair - maladjustment
The grating, grinding or rattling sound or noise caused by the condition of disrepair
or maladjustment of any motor vehicle, motorcycle, snowmobile, trailer or other
vehicle or part or accessory thereof while on private property.
450.3.4 Motor vehicles
The sound or noise created by the operation of any motor vehicle, trailer or other
vehicle bearing material, articles or things which are loaded upon such vehicle in
such manner as to create noise.
450.3.5 Exhaust - except through muffler
The sound or noise from the discharge into the open air of the exhaust of any steam
engine or internal combustion engine, including the engine of an auto- mobile,
motorcycle and snowmobile, while on private property, except through a muffler or
other device which effectively prevents loud or explosive noise.
Article 4
ANIMAL OR BIRD
450.4.1 Unreasonable disturbance - of the peace
The sound by any animal or bird which unreasonably disturbs the peace, quiet,
comfort or repose of any person in any residence and/or yard associated with a
residence.
Article 5 STEAM - AIR - GASEOUS MATERIAL
450.5.1 Whistle - attached to boiler - other mechanisms
The sound or noise from any steam or air whistle attached to or used in connection
with any stationary boiler or other machine or mechanism, except for the purpose
of giving notice to workmen of the time to commence or cease work or as a
KITCHENER 450.6 FEBRUARY 2024
warning of danger.
450.5.2 Venting - pressure release
The sound or noise produced by the venting, release or pressure relief of air, steam
or other gaseous material, product or compound from any autoclave, boiler,
compressor, pressure vessel, pipe, valve, machine, device or system which
disturbs the peace, quiet, comfort or repose of any person in any dwelling unit,
hotel or other type of residence.
Article 6
CONSTRUCTION WORK 450.6.1 Excavation - demolition - alteration - time limit
The sound or noise arising between the hour of7 o'clock p.m. of any day and 7
o'clock a.m. of the following day from any excavation or construction work
whatsoever, including the erection, demolition, alteration or repair of any building or
structure except in case of urgent necessity.
Article 7 RADIO - AMPLIFIER - PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEM
450.7.1 Radio - television - record or tape player
The sound or noise from or created by any radio, television, record player, tape
player, amplifier, loud speaker, public address system, musical instrument or
equipment, device or instrument which emits sound when the same is played or
operated in such manner or with such volume as to disturb the peace, quiet,
comfort or repose of any person in any dwelling unit, hotel or other type of
residence.
450.7.2 Attracting attention - to performance - advertising The sound or
noise from or created by any drum, horn, bell, radio, record player, tape player,
amplifier, loudspeaker, public address system or equipment, device or instrument
which emits sound when the same is used or operated for the purpose of
advertising or for attracting attention to any performance or sale, show or display
of goods, wares or merchandise and projects such sound or noise into any street
or other public place.
450.7.3 Motor vehicle - radio operated from
The sound or noise from or created by any radio, record player, tape player,
KITCHENER 450.7 FEBRUARY 2024
amplifier, loud speaker, public address system or equipment, device or instrument
which emits sound when the same is used or operated from any motor vehicle,
trailer or other vehicle except for such time and under such conditions as the
Regional Chief of Police may prescribe.
Article 8 OTHER NOISES
450.8.1 Air-conditioning equipment
The sound or noise produced by the operation of residential air-conditioning
equipment which disturbs the peace, quiet, comfort or repose of any person in any
dwelling unit, hotel or other type of residence.
450.8.2 Shouting - yelling - hooting - whistling - singing
Any shouting, yelling, hooting, whistling or singing which disturbs the peace,
quiet, comfort or repose of any person in any dwelling unit, hotel or other type of
residence and arises between the hour of 11 o'clock p.m. of any Sunday, Monday,
Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday and the hour of 7 o'clock a.m. of the
following day (unless the following day is a holiday) or between the hour of I
o'clock a.m. and the hour of 7 o'clock a.m. of any Saturday, Sunday or holiday.
450.8.3 Quiet zones - school - hospital - court
Any unreasonable or unnecessary noise in the vicinity of any school, hospital or
court while same is in session, provided that conspicuous signs are dis- played in
or upon the streets adjoining any such school, hospital or court indicating that such
noises are prohibited in the vicinity.
Article 9 EXCEPTIONS
450.9.1 Prohibitions - where not applicable
That none of the provisions of this Chapter shall apply in the circumstances set out
in Sections 450.9.2 through 450.9.8, inclusive.
450.9.2 Use - amplification - in a reasonable manner
The use in a reasonable manner of any apparatus or mechanism for the
amplification of the human voice or of music in a public park or recreational area
under the control and management of the City in connection with any public
election meeting, public celebration or other lawful gathering, pro- vided that
written permission of Council has first been obtained.
KITCHENER 450.8 FEBRUARY 2024
450.9.3 Band or parade - having written permission
Any band or parade operating under written permission first obtained from Council.
450.9.4 Commercial calling - legitimate - moderate
Any newsperson, pedlar, hawker or petty tradesperson plying his/her calling
legitimately and moderately.
450.9.5 Police - Ambulance - public service
Any vehicle of the police or fire department, any ambulance or any public service
or emergency vehicle while answering a call.
450.9.6 Radio - in motor vehicle - limitation
Any sound from any private radio in a motor vehicle, installed for the sole benefit or
entertainment of the operator and occupants of such vehicle, when same is not
audible at a distance of 25 feet (7.62 metres) from such vehicle.
450.9.7 Railway - operation - plant
Any sound arising from the operation of any railway which operates under the
Railway Act of Canada or from any plant or work in connection with any such
railway.
450.9.8 Public convenience - necessity Any case of public convenience or necessity.
450.9.9 Exemption - snow removal - for safety
The provisions of this Chapter shall not apply to snow clearing or removal activities
that are necessary for maintaining property in a safe condition.
Article 10
ENFORCEMENT
450.10.1 Fine - for contravention
Every person who contravenes any provision of this Chapter is guilty of an offence
and is liable, upon conviction, to a fine not exceeding Ten Thousand Dollars
($10,000), exclusive of costs, for each offence, recoverable under the Provincial
Offences Act. This Section comes into force April 1, 2011.
KITCHENER 450.9 FEBRUARY 2024
450.10.2 Inspection - right of entry
An officer may enter on land at any reasonable time for the purpose of carrying out
an inspection to determine whether or not this Chapter is being com- plied with.
Entry to any place actually being used as a dwelling unit shall be subject to the
requirements of the Municipal Act, 2001. By-law 2009-064, 6 April, 2009.
450.10.3 Administrative Penalty By-law - applications Articles 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 of this Chapter are hereby designated as parts of this Chapter to which the Administrative Penalty By-law applies. 450.10.4 Administrative Penalty By-law - notice of contravention
Any person shall be liable to pay an administrative penalty and any administrative fees in accordance with the Administrative Penalty By-law, upon the issuance of a penalty notice for a contravention of this Chapter. 450.10.5 Provincial Offences Act
The Provincial Offences Act continues to apply to the provisions of this by-law in addition to the designated provisions of this by-law. 450.10.6 Non-payment Where a person has not paid the administrative penalty within 30 days in
accordance with the Administrative Penalty By-law, the City may add the
administrative penalty to the tax roll for any property for which the owner or owners are responsible for paying the administrative penalty under Section 450.10.4.”
By-law 87-258, 13 October 1987; By-law 91-186, 13 May 1991; By-law 94-182,
11 October 1994; By-law 95-95, 19 June 1995; By-law 2000-71, 8 May 2000; By-
law 2009-064, 6 April 2009; By-law 2010-191, 15 November 2010; By-law 2011-
012, 24 January 2011; By-law No. 2024-015, 22 January 2024.