Council will review modifications to noise bylaw

Council will address issues currently not covered in the County’s noise bylaw when it meets at tomorrow’s committee of the whole meeting.

A new 11 p.m. limit is to be placed on noise created from any outdoor event taking place on any property in the County, similiar to the current residential restriction.
An “outdoor event” will be defined as any public gathering not taking place completely within a building that has no open sides. Events taking place within a tent structure will be considered an outdoor event.

Proposed amendments will put time limits on construction noise from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. back into the bylaw. When the bylaw was amended in 2011 the construction wording was omitted in error.

In addition to re-inserting the time restriction for construction noise a new section related to infrastructure work done by, or on behalf of the municipality, is proposed:
1 “No person shall cause or permit noise arising out of or created by construction or construction equipment involving works on municipal buildings or infrastructure before 7a.m. and after 9p.m.”
2 Construction involving emergency repairs to municipal infrastructure has been added as a specific exemption.

The proposal by Andy Harrison, Chief Building/Bylaw Officer notes there has been a steady increase in the number of outdoor concerts and events with amplified music and sound being held at various locations throughout the County. When held in a zone other than residential the current by-law allows unrestricted noise until 2a.m.

“The sound created by outdoor concerts and events effects a greater surrounding area and can be very loud for adjacent property owners,” he states. “It is proposed that the production, reproduction or amplification of sound (stereos, speakers and bands) will not be permitted outdoors between the hours of 11p.m. and 7a.m. of the following day.”