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Quiet Hours & Noise Rules in Burnaby, British Columbia
Confirm quiet hours, decibel limits, construction schedules, and reporting steps so you can keep the peace in your neighbourhood.
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Default quiet hours: 22:00-07:00 (residential continuous noise limit drops to 45 dBA at night; 55 dBA by day).
Weekends/holidays: 22:00-07:00 (same limits).
Construction weekdays: 07:00-20:00 (no construction noise before 07:00 or after 20:00 Monday-Friday).
Construction weekends: Saturday 09:00-20:00; Sunday and statutory holidays not permitted.
Burnaby's Noise or Sound Abatement Bylaw 1979 sets residential limits of 55 dBA (07:00-22:00) and 45 dBA (22:00-07:00) for continuous sound at the property line. Construction is permitted 07:00-20:00 Mon-Fri and 09:00-20:00 Sat (not permitted on Sundays or statutory holidays), with an 85 dBA cap measured at 15.2 m. See the by-law and the City's Noise page.
Residential quiet hours
22:00-07:00 (residential continuous noise limit drops to 45 dBA at night; 55 dBA by day).
Weekends & holidays: 22:00-07:00 (same limits).
Decibel limits
55 dBA daytime / 45 dBA night
Measured inside receiving residence.
Construction hours
07:00-20:00 (no construction noise before 07:00 or after 20:00 Monday-Friday).
Weekends: Saturday 09:00-20:00; Sunday and statutory holidays not permitted.
Lawn equipment
Power lawn mowers and gardening tools allowed 07:00-22:00 Monday-Friday and 09:00-22:00 Saturday, Sunday, and statutory holidays; equipment must stay at or below 87 dBA.
Includes gas-powered blowers, mowers, trimmers.
Party & music rules
Music must meet property line limits (55 dBA day, 45 dBA night). Non-continuous peaks are restricted to 80 dBA (day) or 75 dBA (night).
Typical fines
Up to $10,000 on summary conviction; each day a contravention continues is a separate offence.
Escalating penalties for repeat violations.
Noise enforcement & reporting
Call or report via City Licensing (bylaw noise line) 604-294-7320; use police or 911 only for emergencies.. Provide dates, times, and source details so dispatchers can prioritise the call. Anonymous complaints are accepted but detailed contact information helps with follow-up.
- Document the issue (record short clips, note times, and track duration for at least two nights if possible).
- Share a polite note with the neighbour or property manager. See the message templates below.
- Submit a complaint via https://www.burnaby.ca/services-and-payments/bylaw-enforcement-and-tickets/noise or call City Licensing (bylaw noise line) 604-294-7320; use police or 911 only for emergencies.. Ask for the incident number for reference.
- If the noise continues, follow up with enforcement referencing the incident number. Keep your documentation for any tribunal or landlord board filings.
Ready-to-send messages
Neighbour note
Hi there - Quick note that Burnaby's residential limits drop at 10 p.m. (45 dBA overnight). Last night around {{time}}, music from your place was carrying past our property line. Could you keep it down after 10 p.m.?
Landlord / property manager
Hello - We are experiencing recurring noise that appears over Burnaby's limits (55 dBA day / 45 dBA night) and/or outside construction hours (7-8 weekdays, 9-8 Saturday; none Sunday or holidays). Could you help ensure compliance with Bylaw 7332?
Always confirm with the latest official notices or municipal postings before making plans.
Official bylaw source
Source: Burnaby Noise or Sound Abatement Bylaw 1979 (Bylaw No. 7332, consolidated)
This summary reflects updates verified on . Always confirm with the latest municipal notices before acting.
Tips for quieter living
- Measure or estimate from your property line; Burnaby uses A-weighted slow measurements with specific day and night thresholds.
- For construction outside permitted hours, mention the exact times and add photos; note the 85 dBA at 15.2 m cap if it seems exceeded.
- For lawn equipment, include time and type (gas or electric) and note if it exceeded 22:00 or began before the allowed time.
Frequently asked questions
Answers are summarized from the city bylaw for quick reference. For the full context, follow the official links below.