HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-2025-197 - Noise Exemption - KW Oktoberfest Inc.Staff Report
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Community Services Department www.kitchener.ca
REPORT TO: Community and Infrastructure Services Committee
DATE OF MEETING: June 16, 2025
SUBMITTED BY: Gloria MacNeil, Director of Enforcement, 519-783-8516
PREPARED BY: Gloria MacNeil, Director of Enforcement, 519-783-8516
WARD(S) INVOLVED: All
DATE OF REPORT: May 30, 2025
REPORT NO.: CSD -2025-197
SUBJECT: Noise Exemption — KW Oktoberfest Inc.
RECOMMENDATION:
That an exemption to Chapter 450 (Noise) of the City of Kitchener Municipal Code be
granted to K -W Oktoberfest Inc. for a series of events being held at various clubs between
September 26 through October 18, 2025, as outlined in the letter from K -W Oktoberfest
Inc., dated April 11, 2025 attached to Report CSD -2025-197
REPORT HIGHLIGHTS:
The purpose of this report is to seek a blanket noise exemption for K -W Oktoberfest which
will be held at various club locations throughout the city.
Oktoberfest celebrations will take place over a three-week span from September 26 thru
October 18, 2025
This report supports the delivery of core services.
BACKGROUND:
K -W Oktoberfest Inc. is requesting an exemption to Chapter 450 (Noise) of the City's Municipal Code for
a series of Oktoberfest events being held during the 2025 Oktoberfest festivities. A copy of their request
is attached.
REPORT:
The number of noise complaints relating to these events over the past several years has been minimal.
Typically, there appears to be a large degree of acceptance by City residents to these events, given their
vast popularity and broad community benefits. The level of cooperation that staff has received from event
organizers has been positive.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
This report supports the delivery of core services.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: N/A
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COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
Oktoberfest events are widely advertised throughout the entire community.
APPROVED BY: Michael May, DCAO
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A — Request Letter from K -W Oktoberfest Inc.
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2 King Street West, Kitchener, ON N2G 1A3
Tel (519) 570-4267
info oktoberfest.ca
www.oktoberfest.ca
City of Kitchener
PO Box 1118, 200 King Street West
Kitchener, ON
N2G 4G7
ATTENTION: Gloria MacNeil, Director of Enforcement
SUBJECT: Blanket Noise By -Law Exemption
KITCHENER • WATERLOO
iffiffGHERFEST
Canada's Greatest Bavarian Festival
April 11, 2025
As per our request for the 2025 Festival, we are herewith requesting a blanket exemption from the
Municipal By Law governing noise for the duration of Kitchener -Waterloo Oktoberfest which officially
runs from September 26 to October 18, 2025.
K -W Oktoberfest has been designated an event of "municipal significance" and as such would
respectfully request a little latitude in the enforcement of municipal law on certain days involving a
limited number of festival facilities. This is our best guess at what the schedule may look like for this
upcoming Festival:
Alpine Club (Habsburg Haus), 464 Maple Avenue
Bingemans, 425 Bingemans Centre Drive
Concordia Club, 429 Ottawa St.
Schwaben Club, 50 Scheifele Place
Willkommen Platz in downtown Kitchener
Oct 10, 11, 13, 15, 17, 18
Sept. 26, 27 & Oct. 3, 4, 10
TBC: Sept. 25, 28 and Oct. 2, 5, 9, 12
Oct. 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 1516, 17, 18
Sept. 27 and Oct. 3, 4, 5, 10, 11 ,12, 17,18
October 10, 11, 12
We trust that this request will meet with the approval of the Council of the City of Kitchener and that we
will be advised of this consideration accordingly.
Respectfully,
K -W OKTOBERFEST INC.
Tracy Van Kalsbeek
Executive Director
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