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Page 1 of 5
Chapter 825
February 21, 2013
Protection
Chapter 0825 Noise - Unnecessary - Unusual
Chapter Index
Article 1 - Short Title
825.1.1
Citation
Article 2 - Interpretation
825.2.1
City - defined
825.2.2
Residential unit - defined
Article 3 - General Prohibition
825.3.1
Horn - bell - sounding - noises - likely to disturb
Article 4 - Noises - Unreasonable - Likely To Disturb
825.4.1
Noise - deemed
825.4.2
Bell - horn - siren - signal device
825.4.3
Radio - sound equipment - musical instrument - other
825.4.4
Commercial - audible - distance from property line
825.4.5
Animal - residence
825.4.6
Excavation - construction - 9 p.m. to 7a.m.
825.4.7
Advertising - attracting attention - by noise - sound
825.4.8
Amplification - from vehicle - unapproved
825.4.9
Firearms - discharge
825.4.10
Vehicle - exhaust - except through muffling device
825.4.11
Shouting Yelling Hooting Whistling etc. - any time
825.4.12
Power equipment - use - 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.
Article 5 - General Exemptions
825.5.1
Amplification - music - voice - in park - by permission
825.5.2
Band - parade - by written permission
825.5.3
Emergency vehicles - answering call
825.5.4
Salvation Army
825.5.5
Bells - ringing - in church - chapel - meeting house
825.5.6
Fire - burglar alarms
825.5.7
Industrial activity - where zoned
825.5.8
Fireworks
825.5.9
Agricultural activity - where designated
825.5.10
Exemption - firearms
825.5.11
Exemption
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Chapter 825
February 21, 2013
Article 6 - Enforcement
825.6.1
Fine - for contravention
Article 7 - Repeal - Enactment
825.7.1
By-law - previous
825.7.2
Effective date
Article 1 - Short Title
825.1.1
Citation
The short title of this Chapter is the "Noise By-law."
Article 2 - Interpretation
825.2.1
City - Defined
"City" means The Corporation of the City of Woodstock.
825.2.2.
Residential Unit - Defined
"residential unit" means a dwelling house, apartment, condominium unit,
hotel room or other type of residential premises.
Article 3 - General Prohibition
825.3.1
Horn - bell - sounding - noises - likely to disturb
No person shall make, cause or permit, an unreasonable noise, or a noise
that is likely to disturb another person.(See Set Fine).
Article 4 - Noises - Unreasonable - Likely To Disturb
825.4.1
Noise - deemed
Without limiting the generality of Article 3, the noises set out in Section
825.4.2 through Section 825.4.11, inclusive shall be deemed to be an
unreasonable noise, or a noise likely to disturb another person.
825.4.2
Bell - horn - siren - signal device
The sound or noise from or created by a bell, horn, siren or signal device
for an unnecessary or unreasonable period of time shall be deemed to be an
unreasonable noise, or a noise likely to disturb another person.
825.4.3
Radio - sound equipment - musical instrument - other
The sound or noise from or created by any radio, stereo, television,
amplifier, public address system, sound equipment, loud speaker or similar
device or devices, or any musical or sound-producing instrument of
whatever kind, when such device or instrument is played or operated in
such a manner or with such volume that it is likely to be audible in a
residential unit, other than the residential unit in which the sound
originated from shall be deemed to be an unreasonable noise, or a noise
likely to disturb another person.
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Chapter 825
February 21, 2013
825.4.4
Commercial - audible - distance from property line
The sound or noise from a commercial use that is likely to be audible at a
distance of 15.25 metres (50 feet) from any property line of the property
upon which the commercial use is being carried on shall be deemed to be an
unreasonable noise, or a noise likely to disturb another person.
825.4.5
Animal - residence
The sound or noise made by an animal that is likely to be audible in a
residential unit, other than the residential unit in which the sound originated
from shall be deemed to be an unreasonable noise, or a noise likely to
disturb another person.
825.4.6
Excavation - construction - 9 p.m. to 7a.m.
Sound or noise caused by the normal activities involved in construction,
including, but not limited to, erection, alteration, repair, dismantling,
demolition, structural maintenance, painting, moving, land clearing, earth
moving, grading, excavating, the laying of pipe and conduit whether
above or below ground level, street and highway building, concreting,
equipment installation and alteration and the structural installation of
construction components and materials in any form for any purpose, and
includes any work in connection therewith, between the hours of 9:00 p.m.
and 7:00 a.m. of the following day, except in a case of urgent necessity shall
be deemed to be an unreasonable noise, or a noise likely to disturb another
person.
825.4.7
Advertising - attracting attention - by noise - sound
The sound from or created by any instrument, radio, amplification device,
loud speaker, public address system, equipment or device that emits
sound when the same is used or operated for the purpose of advertising or
for attracting attention to any performance or sale, show or display of
goods or services and projects such sound into any street or other public
place shall be deemed to be an unreasonable noise, or a noise likely to
disturb another person.
825.4.8
Amplification - from vehicle - unapproved
The sound or noise from or created by any radio, amplifier, loud
speaker, public address system, or equipment, device or instrument that
emits sound when the same is used or operated from any motor vehicle,
trailer or vehicle that is audible at least 8 metres (26.2 feet) from the
vehicle except for specific times or vehicles as may be approved by City
Council shall be deemed to be an unreasonable noise, or a noise likely to
disturb another person
825.4.9
Firearms - discharge
The sound or noise caused by the discharge of any gun or other firearm
shall be deemed to be an unreasonable noise, or a noise likely to disturb
another person
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February 21, 2013
825.4.10
Vehicle - exhaust - except through muffling device
The sound from the discharge into the open air of the exhaust of any
steam engine, internal combustion engine (including the engine of any
motor vehicle), or pneumatic device without an effective exhaust or intake
muffling device in good working order and in constant operation that
prevents excessive noises that are loud or explosive shall be deemed to
be an unreasonable noise, or a noise likely to disturb another person.
825.4.11
Shouting Yelling Hooting Whistling etc. - any time
Any shouting, yelling, loud hooting, loud whistling or loud singing in such a
manner or with such volume that it is likely to be audible in a residential
unit, other than the residential unit in which the sound originated from
shall be deemed to be an unreasonable noise, or a noise likely to disturb
another person.
825.4.12
Power equipment - use - 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.
The sound caused by the use or operation of a lawnmower, chain-saw, leaf-
blower, or any other such noise-generating tool or device that it is likely to
be audible in a residential unit, other than the residential unit in which the
sound originated from, between 10:00 p.m. of any day and 7:00 a.m. of
the next following day, except in a case of urgent necessity shall be deemed
to be an unreasonable noise, or a noise likely to disturb another person.
Article 5 - General Exemptions
825.5.1
Amplification - music - voice - in park - by permission
The provisions of this Chapter shall not apply to the use in a reasonable
manner of any apparatus or mechanism for the amplification of the human
voice or of music in a public park provided written permission from a
duly authorized representative of the City has first been obtained.
825.5.2
Band - parade - by written permission
The provisions of this Chapter shall not apply to any band or any parade
provided written permission was obtained from the Council of the City.
825.5.3
Emergency vehicles - answering call
The provisions of this Chapter shall not apply to any vehicle of the police or
fire department or any ambulance or any public service or emergency
vehicle while answering a call.
825.5.4
Salvation Army
The provisions of this Chapter shall not apply to the operations of the
Salvation Army.
825.5.5
Bells - ringing - in church - chapel - meeting house
The provisions of this Chapter shall not apply to the ringing of bells in
connection with any church, chapel, meeting house, or religious service.
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825.5.6
Fire - burglar alarms
The provisions of this Chapter shall not apply to the ringing of fire alarms
or burglar alarms that are connected to an established monitoring service.
An established monitoring service means a fire or burglar alarm system
that automatically notifies either the fire department, police department or
a security company when the system activates.
825.5.7
Industrial activity - where zoned
The provisions of this Chapter shall not apply to the normal activities of
industry in any industrial zones as defined in the City Zoning By-laws.
825.5.8
Fireworks
The provisions of this Chapter shall not apply to any fireworks display
authorized by Council on City property.
825.5.9
Agricultural activity - where designated
The provisions of this Chapter shall not apply to the normal activities of
agriculture on any lands designated for agricultural use in the City Zoning
By-laws.
825.5.10
Exemption - firearms
The provisions of this Chapter shall not apply to peace officers in the
performance of their duties.
825.5.11
Exemption
The provisions of this Chapter shall not apply to the sound or noise
caused by the discharge of any gun or other firearm, air gun or spring gun
or any class or type thereof that complies with Municipal Code Chapter
799 - Discharge of Firearms and Bows.
Article 6 - Enforcement
825.6.1
Fine - for contravention
Every person who contravenes any of the provisions of this Chapter is
guilty of an offence and upon conviction is liable to a fine or penalty as
provided in the Provincial Offences Act.
Article 7 - Repeal - Enactment
825.7.1
By-law - previous
All previous by-laws are hereby repealed. By-law 6447-87 and all
amendments thereto are hereby repealed.
825.7.2
Effective date
This Chapter shall become effective as of third and final reading of the
enabling by-law. By-law 8832-13, February 21, 2013.