Victoria considers major overhaul of city noise bylaws

City staff in Victoria have recommended a major overhaul of the city’s 23-year-old noise bylaw to address challenges posed by increasing urban density. The proposal, which follows public consultation involving over 1,600 residents, aims to replace a framework that staff described as “difficult to interpret and impractical to enforce.”

A central component of the revamp involves new regulations for construction. The proposal suggests distinguishing between “loud work” and “quiet work.” Under the new rules, loud commercial construction—defined as noise reaching a maximum of 85 dBA—would be permitted from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and Saturdays. This would delay the weekday start for loud work by two hours compared to current regulations.

Other proposed changes include:

• Waste Collection: Allowing private waste collection from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekends and statutory holidays. • Amplified Music: Prohibiting external amplification after 10 p.m. • Regulatory Approach: Implementing a system that uses decibel limits, general prohibitions, and permitted hours based on the specific source and context of the sound.

The review was prompted by a rise in noise complaints, which grew from 305 in 2017 to 693 in 2021.