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Quiet Hours & Noise Rules in Toronto, 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: 23:00-07:00 (lower limits for amplified sound; stationary sources drop to 45 dBA outdoors at night)
Weekends/holidays: 23:00-07:00 (amplified sound; note power-device start 09:00 Sat/Sun/holidays)
Construction weekdays: 07:00-19:00 (construction noise not allowed 19:00-07:00)
Construction weekends: Saturday 09:00-19:00; Sunday and statutory holidays: not permitted
Toronto's Noise By-law (Chapter 591) sets specific limits for amplified sound and stationary sources, and prohibits construction noise outside 07:00-19:00 (Mon-Fri) and 09:00-19:00 (Sat) (none on Sundays/holidays). Power-device noise (for example, leaf blowers, mowers) is banned 19:00-08:00 on weekdays and until 09:00 on weekends/holidays. See the City's Noise page and the consolidated Chapter 591 PDF.
Residential quiet hours
23:00-07:00 (lower limits for amplified sound; stationary sources drop to 45 dBA outdoors at night)
Weekends & holidays: 23:00-07:00 (amplified sound; note power-device start 09:00 Sat/Sun/holidays)
Decibel limits
50 dBA daytime / 45 dBA night
Measured inside receiving residence.
Construction hours
07:00-19:00 (construction noise not allowed 19:00-07:00)
Weekends: Saturday 09:00-19:00; Sunday and statutory holidays: not permitted
Lawn equipment
Power devices not allowed 19:00-08:00 (Mon-Fri) and 19:00-09:00 (Sat/Sun/stat holidays)
Includes gas-powered blowers, mowers, trimmers.
Party & music rules
Amplified or instrument sound at a residential point of reception (10-min Leq): outdoors <=55 dBA/70 dBC (07:00-23:00) and <=50 dBA/65 dBC (23:00-07:00); indoors <=50 dBA/65 dBC (07:00-23:00) and <=42 dBA/57 dBC (23:00-07:00).
Typical fines
Set fines typically $500-$900 for common offences (for example, construction during prohibited times $900); up to $100,000 on conviction and up to $10,000 per day for continuing offences.
First offense: ~$500 (varies by case)
Noise enforcement & reporting
Call or report via 311 Toronto (Municipal Licensing & Standards) for by-law enforcement; Toronto Police non-emergency for disorderly parties; 911 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.toronto.ca/city-government/public-notices-bylaws/bylaw-enforcement/noise/ or call 311 Toronto (Municipal Licensing & Standards) for by-law enforcement; Toronto Police non-emergency for disorderly parties; 911 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 -- Toronto's Noise By-law lowers limits after 11 p.m. (and bans power-device noise after 7 p.m.). We've been hearing {{describe noise}} around {{times}}. Could you keep it down overnight? Thanks for understanding.
Landlord / property manager
Hello, we're experiencing recurring noise that appears to exceed Chapter 591 (for example, amplified sound after 23:00 or construction/power-device use outside permitted hours). Could you please address this with the tenant/contractor? We've logged dates/times and can share our 311 case number.
Always confirm with the latest official notices or municipal postings before making plans.
Official bylaw source
Source: City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 591 - Noise
This summary reflects updates verified on . Always confirm with the latest municipal notices before acting.
Tips for quieter living
- For construction after 19:00 or before 07:00 (or any Sunday/holiday), cite section 591-2.3 and include the site address, contractor name, and signage photos.
- If the issue is amplified music, note whether you measured or heard it indoors or outdoors -- limits differ (42/50 dBA indoors at night/day; 50/55 dBA outdoors).
- For power devices (leaf blowers, mowers), note start/stop times relative to the 19:00-08:00 (to 09:00 weekends/holidays) restriction and submit via 311.
Frequently asked questions
Answers are summarized from the city bylaw for quick reference. For the full context, follow the official links below.