Noise & nuisance across Nova Scotia
What are the quiet hours? What noise is allowed?
38 of 49 municipalities in Nova Scotia have an adopted bylaw on noise & nuisance on file. Each row links the municipality's answer page and, where transcribed, the full text of the document.
| Municipality | Adopted document | Key facts | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annapolis County municipality |
Bylaw 8 — Noise | quiet hours: Prohibited on week days and Saturdays before 7:00 a.m. or after 11:00 p.m.; on a Sunday or Holiday before 9:00 a.m. and after 11:00 p.m. · exemptions: Emergency services, government duties, organized holidays/events, agriculture, forestry, fishing, construction with permit, off-highway vehicles. · fines: $200.00-$1,000 | 2026-06-05 |
| Annapolis Royal Town |
Orderly and Peaceful Conduct By-law (noise/nuisance) | quiet hours: 11:00pm to 7:00am (9:00 a.m. on Sundays/Statutory Holidays): 55dBA at point of reception · exemptions: Emergency measures; Canada Day/Natal Day/New Year's/religious holidays; church bells; HVAC; generators during outages; park/parade activities until 11pm · fines: $200-$1,000 or up to 30 days imprisonment | 2026-06-05 |
| Antigonish County municipality |
A By-Law Respecting the Control of Noise | quiet hours: 70 dBA or more prohibited before 7:00 am or after 10:00 pm; 90 dBA or more at any time · construction hours: Construction prohibited Mon-Fri before 7:00am/after 9:30pm; Sat before 8:00am/after 7:00pm; Sun/Holidays before 9:00am/after 7:00pm · exemptions: Emergency response personnel; Canada Day/New Year's/religious activities; church bells; municipal/utility work 7am-10pm; park/recreation activities 5am-midnight | 2026-06-05 |
| Antigonish Town |
Noise Control By-Law
+1 more |
quiet hours: 7:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.: 65 dBA; 10:00 p.m.-7:00 a.m.: 55 dBA · construction hours: Construction noise permitted between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. for which a Building Permit has been issued · exemptions: Town/Province/Canada/utility employees; snow removal; athletic/recreation/school activities 7am-11pm; religious activities 7am-11pm; Highland Games and Exhibition 8am-2am; Frosh Week 8am-11pm | 2026-06-05 |
| Argyle District municipality |
By-Law #9A: Noise | construction hours: Construction prohibited Mon-Fri before 7:00am/after 9:00pm; Sat & Sun before 8:00am/after 9:00pm; Statutory Holiday/Remembrance Day before 9:00am/after 9:00pm · exemptions: Emergency response personnel; festive/religious activities; church bells; municipal/utility work 7am-9pm; park/recreation activities 7am-11pm; designated off-highway vehicle sites; generators during outages · fines: Not less than $200 and not more than $2,000 and up to 7 days imprisonment in default | 2026-06-05 |
| Barrington District municipality |
By-Law No. 09 — Noise By-Law | quiet hours: Daytime 7:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.: exceeding 75 dBA; night-time 10:00 p.m.-7:00 a.m.: exceeding 65 dBA (may be considered) · construction hours: Construction prohibited Mon-Fri before 7:00am/after 10:00pm; Sat before 8:00am/after 10:00pm; Sun/Holiday/Remembrance Day before 9:00am/after 10:00pm · exemptions: Emergency response personnel; festive/religious activities; church bells; municipal/utility work 7am-10pm; park/recreation activities 8am-midnight; designated recreational vehicle/boat sites | 2026-06-05 |
| Berwick Town |
Motor Vehicle Bylaw (No. 90) | fines: Not less than $25.00 and not more than $100.00 and up to 10 days imprisonment in default | 2026-06-05 |
| Cape Breton Regional municipality |
Noise By-law No. N-100 | quiet hours: Weekdays after 9:30 p.m. until 7:00 a.m.; Sat after 7:00 p.m. until 8:00 a.m.; Sun/holidays after 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 a.m. (Schedule A Time A) · construction hours: Construction equipment use prohibited 12:00 a.m.-6:00 a.m. (Time C); domestic power tools per Time A (weekdays 7:00 a.m.-9:30 p.m.) · exemptions: Emergency measures; municipal festivals/parades until 1:00 a.m.; bells/calls to worship; permitted pit/quarry activities; municipal equipment | 2026-06-05 |
| Clare District municipality |
By-Law No. 9 — Noise | quiet hours: Schedule A Part 2 activities prohibited before 7:00 a.m. and after 11:00 p.m. if audible at a point of reception · construction hours: Construction and operation of construction equipment prohibited before 7:00 a.m. and after 11:00 p.m. (Schedule A Part 2) · exemptions: Emergency response; traditional/festive/religious activities; calls to worship; municipality/utility work 7am-9pm; organized park recreation 7am-11pm; off-highway vehicles at designated sites; generators during outages | 2026-06-05 |
| Colchester County municipality |
Neighbourhood Nuisance By-law — Chapter 2
adopted 2024-05-30 |
construction hours: Heavy-equipment construction within 150m of a dwelling prohibited outside: Weekdays 7:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.; Saturday 8:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.; Sunday and holidays 9:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. (unless CAO exemption) · exemptions: Emergency response/vehicles; businesses operating lawfully and appropriately; lawful recreation; community events · fines: First offence $300-$10,000; second $700-$10,000; third or subsequent $1,000-$10,000 (or imprisonment up to 1 year) | 2026-06-05 |
| Cumberland County municipality |
By-Law to Amend the Noise By-Law 23-01
+1 more adopted 2023-05-24 |
exemptions: Replaces s. 6(3): noise caused by the Municipality, Government of Canada, Province of Nova Scotia, Nova Scotia Power Inc., and telecommunication companies and their contractors/employees acting in the reasonable execution of their duties · quiet hours: Schedule A Part 4 activities (power tools for domestic purposes, chainsaws, yelling/shouting/screaming) prohibited before 6:00 a.m. and after 10:00 p.m.; fireworks prohibited before 6:00 p.m. and after Midnight (Part 3) · exemptions: Emergency response; essential-services repair; festive/religious activities (Canada Day, New Year's Eve, religious holidays); calls to worship; municipality/utility work; lawful commercial/forestry/fishing/agriculture/permitted construction; organized park recreation (except 1am-6am); sanctioned community events | 2026-06-05 |
| Digby District municipality |
Orderly and Peaceful Conduct Bylaw (Noise Bylaw) | quiet hours: in excess of 55 dBA before 7:00 am or after 10:00 pm; 65 dBA at other times · construction hours: Mon-Fri before 7:00 a.m./after 10:00 p.m.; Sat before 8:00 a.m./after 10:00 p.m.; Sun, Statutory Holiday or Remembrance Day before 9:00 a.m./after 9:00 p.m. · exemptions: emergency measures; Canada Day, New Year's Eve, Natal Day, religious holidays; bells at worship/schools; municipal utility work | 2026-06-05 |
| Digby Town |
The Noise By-Law No. 2014-01
adopted 2014-07-07 |
quiet hours: in excess of 55 dBA before 7:00 a.m. or after 11:00 p.m.; 65 dBA at other times · construction hours: Mon-Fri before 7:00 a.m./after 11:00 p.m.; Sat before 8:00 a.m./after 11:00 p.m.; Sun, Statutory Holiday or Remembrance Day before 9:00 a.m./after 9:00 p.m. · exemptions: emergency response personnel; Canada Day, New Year's Eve, religious holidays; calls to worship; municipal/utility work 7:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m. | 2026-06-05 |
| East Hants District municipality |
Community Standards Bylaw P-100 (amended by P-100-1)
adopted 2021-03-24 |
quiet hours: Nighttime: from 9:30 P.M. (Weekday) or 8:30 P.M. (Weekend/Holiday/Remembrance Day) to 7:00 A.M. (Weekday) or 9:00 A.M. (Weekend/Holiday/Remembrance Day) · construction hours: Construction prohibited during Nighttime; permitted during Daytime in Residential Developments (Daytime 7:00 A.M.-9:30 P.M. weekday, 9:00 A.M.-8:30 P.M. weekend) · exemptions: agricultural practices; emergency vehicles; street/utility work; activities authorized by Canada/NS; activity on a water body; reasonable commercial noise on properly zoned property | 2026-06-05 |
| Guysborough District municipality |
Noise Control By-Law #16
adopted 2011-10-26 |
quiet hours: 11:00 pm - 6:00 am · construction hours: 7:00 am and 9:00 pm · exemptions: Employees, snow removal, sports, religious, parades, emergency services, agricultural activities, vehicle noise. | 2026-06-05 |
| Halifax Regional municipality |
By-law N-200 Respecting Noise
adopted 1999-09-14 |
quiet hours: Weekdays after 9:30 p.m. until 7:00 a.m.; Sat after 7:00 p.m. until 8:00 a.m.; Sun/holidays after 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 a.m. (Schedule A Time A) · construction hours: Construction equipment weekdays 7:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. (Time E); rock breaking weekdays 8:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. (Time F); concrete pouring/finishing per Time G · exemptions: Emergency measures; municipal festivals/parades until 1:00 a.m.; Entertainment District until 12:00 a.m.; bells/calls to worship; permitted pit/quarry | 2026-06-05 |
| Inverness County municipality |
By-Law 41 — Noise Control
adopted 1997-02-10 |
exemptions: RCMP/police/fire/municipal employees on duty; persons working for the Municipality; church/business/safety bells, horns, whistles, sirens; community festivals or NS-licensed events · fines: not less than $100.00 and not exceeding $5,000.00 | 2026-06-05 |
| Kentville Town |
Bylaw 201 — Noise
adopted 2025-11-24 |
quiet hours: 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. (no activity likely to generate noise unreasonably disturbing peace) · exemptions: emergency response/search & rescue; traditional, festive or religious activity; calls to worship; organized athletic/recreational activities; Town/Province/utility work; refrigeration trucks on commercial/industrial land; industrial operations · fines: not less than $500 and not more than $2,000; $500 payment in lieu | 2026-06-05 |
| Kings County municipality |
By-law 84 — Noise Control | quiet hours: Residential 45 dBA 7:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. / 55 dBA 10:00 p.m.-7:00 a.m.; Commercial/Institutional 65 dBA day / 55 dBA night · construction hours: Construction activities permitted between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. where a Building Permit has been issued · exemptions: municipal/government/NS Power/Maritime Tel employees on duty; emergency measures; agricultural activities by a farm operation; snow removal for health facilities; athletic/recreational/religious/community activities 7 a.m.-11 p.m. | 2026-06-05 |
| Lockeport Town |
Prevention of Disorder By-Law
+1 more |
fines: not exceeding one hundred dollars or imprisonment for two months · fines: not less than [garbled] and not more than $100.00 | 2026-06-05 |
| Lunenburg District municipality |
By-law No. 050 — Neighbourhood Nuisance By-law
adopted 2025-05-21 |
exemptions: Emergency response; forestry, secondary wood processing, agricultural operations, normal farm practices; lawful businesses, recreation, community events · fines: $300 first / $700 second / $1000 third+ | 2026-06-05 |
| Lunenburg Town |
Noise By-law No. 1155
adopted 2025-06-24 |
quiet hours: Quiet Hours 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.; Permitted Hours 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. · construction hours: Construction/registered business operations permitted 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. · exemptions: Emergency services; religious/festive activities; government/utility ops; community events; pedestrian signals; garbage collection 6am-10pm; waterfront ops; emergency generators | 2026-06-05 |
| Mahone Bay Town |
Noise By-law
adopted 2024-07-17 |
quiet hours: 70 dBA permitted 7:00am-10:00pm; 55 dBA 10:00pm-7:00am (measured at 15.25m) · exemptions: Emergency response personnel/vehicles; festive/religious activities; Town/utility/government work; athletic/recreational events; community festivals; pedestrian signals; garbage trucks; transport trucks; electric tools · fines: not less than $250 and not more than $1,000 per day | 2026-06-05 |
| Middleton Town |
Noise By-Law (No. 209)
adopted 2023-12-18 |
quiet hours: Greater than 70 dBA prohibited before 7:00am or after 11:00pm; greater than 90 dBA at other times · exemptions: Emergency response personnel/vehicles; Town/government/utility employees 7am-10pm; organized athletic/recreational/festival activities; pedestrian signals; religious worship; traditional/festive celebrations · fines: Fine(s) as defined in the Fees and Fines Policy | 2026-06-05 |
| New Glasgow Town |
Noise Bylaw | quiet hours: Daytime 07:00-22:00; Schedule A Part 2 quiet periods e.g. weekdays before 7:00 a.m. and after 9:30 p.m. · construction hours: Construction exempt between 07:00 and 20:00 with a building permit · exemptions: Town/Province/Canada/NS Power/utility employees; snow removal; emergency personnel; daytime athletic/religious activities; permitted parades/festivals | 2026-06-05 |
| Oxford Town |
Noise By-Law | quiet hours: Sound measurable in excess of 70 dBA before 7:00 a.m. or after 10:00 p.m.; 90 dBA at other times · exemptions: Emergency response personnel; Municipality/Canada/NS/NS Power/telecom; organized athletic/recreational activities 5:00 a.m.-midnight; religious calls to worship; festivals/parades | 2026-06-05 |
| Pictou Town |
Noise Control By-Law
adopted 2013-06-05 |
quiet hours: Daytime 07:00-22:00; sound limit 65 dBA daytime and 55 dBA nighttime measured at 100 feet · construction hours: Construction exempt between 07:00 and 20:00 with a building permit · exemptions: Town/Province/Canada/NS Power/utility employees; snow removal; emergency personnel; daytime athletic/religious activities; agricultural farm activities; federally regulated transportation | 2026-06-05 |
| Port Hawkesbury Town |
Noise Control By-Law | quiet hours: 65 dBA between 7:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.; 55 dBA between 10:00 p.m.-7:00 a.m. · construction hours: Construction exempt between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. for which a building permit has been issued · exemptions: Town/Canada/NS/NS Power/railway/telecom employees; snow removal; athletic/recreational/school activities 7 a.m.-11 p.m.; religious activities 7 a.m.-11 p.m.; emergency services; agricultural activities | 2026-06-05 |
| Queens Regional municipality |
By-law No. 7 - Prohibiting Certain Noises
adopted 2022-01-25 |
quiet hours: 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. (no noise unreasonably disturbing peace and tranquility of a neighbourhood) · exemptions: Emergency response; traditional/festive/religious activities; calls to worship/bells; organized athletic/recreational activities; municipal/utility crews; industrial operations · fines: $500-$10,000; imprisonment up to 60 days in default; $350 voluntary payment within 14 days | 2026-06-05 |
| Richmond County municipality |
By-Law 065 — Noise Control | quiet hours: No activity disturbing peace between 12 AM (midnight) and 7 AM; sound systems audible in another dwelling unit prohibited · construction hours: Construction exempt between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. for which a building permit has been issued · exemptions: Municipality/Canada/NS/NS Power/telecom employees; snow removal for health facility access; athletic/recreational/school activities 7 a.m.-12 a.m.; religious activities 7 a.m.-12 a.m.; emergency measures; agricultural activities | 2026-06-05 |
| Shelburne Town |
Noise Control By-law
adopted 2025-04-07 |
quiet hours: 10 pm - 7 am (Schedule B activities proscribed) · construction hours: Town/utility employees and contractors exempt between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. · exemptions: Emergency response personnel; municipal/government/utility workers; organized recreation, festivals, religious activities; refrigeration trucks | 2026-06-05 |
| Stellarton Town |
Noise Control By-Law #54
adopted 2020-03-09 |
quiet hours: Nighttime (22:00-07:00) limit 65 dBA at 100 ft; Daytime (07:00-22:00) limit 75 dBA at 100 ft · construction hours: Construction exempt 07:00-20:00 with building permit · exemptions: Town/government/utility employees; snow removal; emergency response; daytime athletic/recreation/school and religious activities; agriculture; permitted parades/festivals | 2026-06-05 |
| Stewiacke Town |
Noise Bylaw No. 72 | quiet hours: Mon-Thu before 6:00 a.m./after 12:00 a.m.; Fri-Sat before 7:00 a.m./after 2:00 a.m.; Sun/holiday/Remembrance Day before 8:00 a.m./after 12:00 a.m. (Schedule A Part 2) · construction hours: Town/government/utility workers exempt between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. · exemptions: Emergency response personnel; municipal/government/utility workers; organized recreation, festivals, religious activities; refrigeration trucks; off-highway vehicles | 2026-06-05 |
| Trenton Town |
By-Law No. 2024-01: Noise Control | quiet hours: 11:00pm to 7:00am - noise unreasonably disturbing peace/tranquility prohibited · construction hours: Construction and construction equipment exempt 7:00am-9:00pm with required permits · exemptions: Town/government/utility employees; snow removal; athletic/recreation/school; religious activities; Trenton FunFest/Town events; industrial park operations; permitted fireworks | 2026-06-05 |
| Truro Town |
Noise Control Bylaw No. 430 | quiet hours: 10:00pm-7:00am 55 dBA; 7:00am-10:00pm 65 dBA · construction hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (with Building Permit) · exemptions: Town/utility employees on duty; lawn mowing, snow removal; athletic/religious/community activities 7am-11pm; agricultural activities | 2026-06-05 |
| Wolfville Town |
Bylaw 64 - Prevention of Excessive Noise Bylaw
+1 more |
quiet hours: 10:00 pm - 7:00 am 55 dBA; 7:00 am -10:00 pm 65 dBA · construction hours: 7:00 am and 8:00 pm · exemptions: Town/utility employees on duty; snow removal; athletic/religious/community activities and Acadia Welcome Week 7am-11pm; emergency services | 2026-06-05 |
| Yarmouth District municipality |
Noise By-law N-050-03 | quiet hours: 7:00 pm - 7:00 am (next day) >65 dBA; 7:00 am - 7:00 pm >75 dBA (measured at not less than 100 feet) · exemptions: Parade/procession/event with permit; licensed sound under this by-law; police/fire/ambulance/emergency vehicle answering emergency call · fines: not less than $100.00 and not exceeding $1,000.00; voluntary payment $50 first/$100 second/$150 subsequent | 2026-06-05 |
| Yarmouth Town |
Noise Control Bylaw (TOY 22)
adopted 2023-03-09 |
quiet hours: 11:00 pm - 6:00 am 55 dBA; 6:00 am - 11:00 pm 65 dBA (measured no less than 30 meters from source) · construction hours: 7:00 am and 9:00 pm (with Building Permit) · exemptions: Town/utility employees on duty; snow removal; athletic/religious/community activities 6am-11pm; emergency services; commercial farm agricultural activities | 2026-06-05 |
Nothing on file for noise & nuisance
Absence here is explicit, not a gap: each municipality below was checked, and its status says why there is no document.
Checked, nothing adopted (3) — Bridgewater (2026-06-05), Victoria (2026-06-05), West Hants (2026-06-05).
Other bylaws on file, none on this topic (8) — Amherst, Chester, Clark's Harbour, Mulgrave, Pictou, Shelburne, St. Mary's, Westville.