Today, Toronto City Council approved restricting the time allowed for power device noise by one extra hour in the morning on weekdays. Starting September 1, weekday noise from power devices, such as leaf blowers, lawnmowers, grass trimmers and chainsaws, will be allowed from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. (changed from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.). Power device noise restrictions on Saturdays, Sundays and statutory holidays remain unchanged, and noise is allowed from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
To address excessive vehicle noise and illegally modified vehicles in Toronto, the City of Toronto will be submitting a request for the Government of Ontario to:
• increase the fines and assign demerit points for modified exhaust and unnecessary vehicle noise offences under the Highway Traffic Act
• develop stricter and more specific regulations related to vehicle modifications, including considering mechanisms for periodic inspections of vehicle exhausts and potential modifications
• make necessary regulatory changes to enable the City to initiate a noise activated camera/automated noise enforcement pilot project.
In addition, Council has requested that the Toronto Police Services Board conduct additional joint vehicle enforcement blitzes with bylaw enforcement and explore equipping police officers with sound level meters to support enforcement of vehicle noise. The City will also educate licensed car repair facilities that muffler cut-outs, straight exhausts, gutted mufflers, Hollywood mufflers, by-passes and similar devices are prohibited under the Highway Traffic Act.
Public education initiatives will be launched during the summer and fall to educate residents about the appropriate use of leaf blowers, alternative ways to keep yards clean, green technologies and steps to reduce noise from leaf blowers. More information is available on the City’s Using a Leaf Blower webpage: www.toronto.ca/LeafBlower.
A comprehensive review of the Noise Bylaw will be conducted in 2023 and will include public consultations. As part of this review, the City will:
• introduce a sound level limit for motor vehicles when their engines are idle
• explore options for setting decibel limits for power devices
• report back on technology developments related to noise-activated cameras/automated noise enforcement
• examine the health impacts of noise, in consultation with Toronto Public Health
• report on noise from City vehicles and fleets, including waste collection services
More information on the Noise Bylaw is available on the City’s Noise webpage: www.toronto.ca/Noise.
The staff report to Council on outstanding noise directives is available on the City’s website: http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/vi
Quotes:
“Excessive vehicle noise, which in most cases is a result of vehicles that have been deliberately modified to create such a noise, is a major nuisance to residents in many neighbourhoods across Toronto. I strongly support today’s Council decisions and remain committed to working with staff, the Toronto Police Service and the Government of Ontario to tackle excessive vehicle noise and other related concerns, such as speeding and stunt driving.”
– Mayor John Tory
“Today’s decisions will help to reduce noise in our neighbourhoods. I am pleased to see further restrictions on power device noise, more public education regarding noise issues, and a request to the Province to increase fines for unnecessary vehicle noise. Our noise reduction efforts will move forward in 2023 with a comprehensive review of the city’s Noise Bylaw, and I encourage residents to share their experiences at upcoming City consultations.”
– Deputy Mayor Michael Thompson (Scarborough Centre), Chair of the Economic and Community Development Committee
SOURCE City of Toronto
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