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Noise

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The Community Standards Bylaw regulates noise in the community. Noise is sound that disturbs your peace, comfort, or rest, or affects the safety or health of citizens.

2019 Enforcement Pilot

Beginning mid summer 2019, City of Edmonton Peace Officers will begin to enforce excessive vehicle noise and will be looking for vehicles with modified exhaust systems. The pilot will be implemented for a period of time in the summer using varying approaches. Locations are yet to be finalized.

The pilot will include use of existing noise measuring and camera devices to identify noisy vehicles while a peace officer is in attendance. An additional approach will be general enforcement against vehicles with modified mufflers. Edmonton Police Services will continue with its enforcement efforts which includes excessive motorcycle noise.

Excessive noise thresholds will be determined by a number of factors including but not limited to: the impact the noise has on other people in the area, readings from noise monitoring equipment in applicable enforcement locations and officer provided evidence. The fine amount is $155. 

Upon completion of the pilot, results will undergo a thorough analysis to determine the feasibility, resourcing requirements and issues of taking this work on long-term. Peace officers assigned to this pilot are authorized to conduct traffic stops and ticket drivers for excessive vehicle noise.

Note

For the purpose of this pilot, citizen complaints of loud vehicles will continue to be handled by Edmonton Police Service (by calling their non-emergency complaint line 780-423-4567 or #377 from an Edmonton mobile phone). If you wish to report an incident of excessive vehicle noise for research purposes only, please fill out the form.

Vehicle Noise Report Form

Questions and Answers

What are the laws around excessive vehicle noise?

Vehicle noise can be addressed through the provincial Traffic Safety Act and its Regulations.

Traffic Safety Act: Use of Highway and rules of the Road Regulation

Section 82: A person shall not create or cause the emission of any loud and unnecessary noise 

(a) from a vehicle or any part of it.

Traffic Safety Act: Vehicle Equipment Regulation

Section 61 

(1) A motor vehicle propelled by an internal combustion engine must have an exhaust muffler that cools and expels the exhaust gases from the engine without excessive noise and without producing flames or sparks. 

(2) A person shall not drive or operate a motor vehicle propelled by an internal combustion engine if the exhaust outlet of the muffler has been widened. 

(3) A person shall not drive or operate a motor vehicle propelled by an internal combustion engine if a device is attached to the exhaust system or the muffler that increases the noise made by the expulsion of gases from the engine or allows a flame to be ignited from the exhaust system. 

What is the penalty?

The specified penalty amount for contravening the aforementioned Regulations is $155.

What is considered excessive?

Excessive noise thresholds will be determined by a number of factors including but not limited to: the impact the noise has on other people in the area, readings from noise monitoring equipment in applicable enforcement locations and officer provided evidence.

Can I call in a vehicle noise complaint?

At this time, enforcement efforts will be focused at predetermined locations that will be confirmed shortly, however, roadside enforcement may occur if an officer clearly identifies that a vehicle has a modified exhaust system to increase noise.

For the purpose of this pilot, citizen complaints of loud vehicles will continue to be handled by Edmonton Police Service (by calling their non-compliant line 780-423-4567 or #377 from an Edmonton mobile phone).

Where will this be enforced?

Locations are yet to be finalized. On street enforcement will be conducted throughout the City of Edmonton.

Will this pilot include excessive motorcycle noise?

No, motorcycle noise will continue to be enforced by Edmonton Police Service.

Vehicle Noise

Excessive vehicle noise has become an increasing problem within the City. Vehicles with loud stereos or with modified exhaust systems generate noise that is disturbing to others. 

Owners of vehicles can be ticketed for exceeding the sound level limits. Engine retarder brakes are not allowed in Edmonton.

Trucks

Oversized vehicles must use established truck routes. For more information regarding Truck Routes or where to obtain a Truck Route Map, call 311.

Construction Activity

Noise from construction work is only permitted:

Monday 7am-9pm
Tuesday 7am-9pm
Wednesday 7am-9pm
Thursday 7am-9pm
Friday 7am-9pm
Saturday 7am-9pm
Sunday 9am-7pm

Holiday Hours:  9am-7pm

Enforcement of Noise Infractions

There are two enforcement agencies for noise:

  • Community Standards Peace Officers (CSPOs) enforce noise from machinery, commercial enterprises, garbage trucks and construction
  • The Edmonton Police Service, at 780-423-4567, enforces noise from people or vehicles such as stunting, honking, or stereos
  • The Edmonton Police Service also enforces motorcycle noise restrictions.  The sound from a motorcycle must be less than 92 decibels at idle and 96 at 2000 rpm

Reporting Your Concerns

If you have a concern about noise:

  • Discuss the concern with the person making the noise if safe to do so
  • Record the address of the violation and a description of the problem if you can't resolve it directly with the worker or business owner
  • Call 311
  • Provide your name, address, phone number, and the details of your concern in case your testimony is required in court

Responding to Your Complaint

After you call 311, the City takes these steps to help with your issue:

  1. A file is created specifying your concerns
  2. A Community Standards Peace Officer (CSPO) opens an investigation
  3. The officer investigates your complaint within 4 business days
  4. The CSPO may issue a warning notice with directions to remedy the problem within a specified time frame or issue a bylaw ticket with a $250 fine depending on the circumstances
  5. The officer may issue an order, which allows the City to fix the problem and bill the property owner for the cost
  6. The City may contact you to appear as a witness, if the matter goes to court

Protecting your Privacy

All personal information requested or required is collected under the authority of section 33(c) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (Alberta) (FOIP Act) for the purpose of responding to your complaint and enforcing municipal bylaws. This information will be collected, used and disclosed in accordance with the FOIP Act. In particular, personal information submitted through 311, the 311 app, or the online complaint form will be disclosed to appropriate business areas within the City so they may respond to your complaint. In addition, if the complaint leads to bylaw enforcement, your personal information may be required to be disclosed as part of the court proceeding. For more information on how the City protects your privacy visit Freedom of Information and Privacy.

For More Information

311 Contact Centre

Online Contact 311 Online
Telephone

In Edmonton: 311
Outside Edmonton: 780-442-5311
TTY 780-944-5555

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