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Quiet Hours & Noise Rules in St. Catharines, Ontario
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: Overnight quiet hours are 23:00-07:00 daily for amplified sound, construction equipment, and most domestic power tools when clearly audible in a dwelling.
Weekends/holidays: Same as weekdays: 23:00-07:00 applies citywide.
Construction weekdays: Permitted 07:00-23:00; operation of construction equipment is prohibited 23:00-07:00.
Construction weekends: Same as weekdays (07:00-23:00) unless a City exemption is issued.
St. Catharines' Noise By-law No. 95-198 (amended by 2015-60) relies on an audibility test. Amplified sound, construction equipment, and domestic tools that are clearly audible in a dwelling are prohibited between 23:00 and 07:00. See the by-law PDFs (95-198, 2015-60) and the City overview Noise By-law.
Residential quiet hours
Overnight quiet hours are 23:00-07:00 daily for amplified sound, construction equipment, and most domestic power tools when clearly audible in a dwelling.
Weekends & holidays: Same as weekdays: 23:00-07:00 applies citywide.
Decibel limits
Qualitative limits enforced
Measured inside receiving residence.
Construction hours
Permitted 07:00-23:00; operation of construction equipment is prohibited 23:00-07:00.
Weekends: Same as weekdays (07:00-23:00) unless a City exemption is issued.
Lawn equipment
Domestic tools (other than snow removal) are prohibited 23:00-07:00 if clearly audible in a dwelling.
Includes gas-powered blowers, mowers, trimmers.
Party & music rules
Amplified sound is not allowed 23:00-07:00 if clearly audible in a residential unit; general noise likely to disturb applies at any time.
Typical fines
Ticket amounts are set under Ontario's Provincial Offences Act; the by-law itself does not list a single fixed fine.
Escalating penalties for repeat violations.
Noise enforcement & reporting
Call or report via For recurring issues, submit a City Report an Issue request. For active late-night party noise, contact Niagara Regional Police non-emergency while it is occurring. Animal noise goes to Niagara Region Animal Services.. 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://webforms.stcatharines.ca/City-Requests/Report-an-Issue or call For recurring issues, submit a City Report an Issue request. For active late-night party noise, contact Niagara Regional Police non-emergency while it is occurring. Animal noise goes to Niagara Region Animal Services.. 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 - St. Catharines bars amplified or construction noise that is clearly audible in homes between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. Could we keep it down during those hours? Thanks!
Landlord / property manager
Hello, repeated noise from {{unit/location}} appears to contravene St. Catharines' overnight rule (no amplified or construction noise 11 p.m.-7 a.m. if audible in dwellings). I have logged it with the City and would appreciate your help addressing it.
Always confirm with the latest official notices or municipal postings before making plans.
Official bylaw source
Source: City of St. Catharines - By-law No. 95-198 (Noise), as amended by By-law No. 2015-60
This summary reflects updates verified on . Always confirm with the latest municipal notices before acting.
Tips for quieter living
- Report while the noise is ongoing if safe; officers apply a clearly audible in a dwelling (windows and doors closed) test overnight.
- Note dates and times and record a short clip from indoors; include where you were in the home.
- Use the City webform for persistent issues so staff can follow up; use police non-emergency for active late-night parties.
Frequently asked questions
Answers are summarized from the city bylaw for quick reference. For the full context, follow the official links below.