---
title: "Abbotsford noise bylaw: quiet hours, construction hours and fines"
question: "What are the noise rules and quiet hours?"
place: Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/abbotsford
category: Bylaws, noise and complaints
owner: municipal
owner_body: City of Abbotsford
sources_read: 2026-11-05
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/abbotsford/noise-rules/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/abbotsford/noise-rules.json"
---

# Abbotsford noise bylaw: quiet hours, construction hours and fines

**Question:** What are the noise rules and quiet hours?

**Short answer:** Abbotsford's Sound Regulation Bylaw bans sound that disturbs neighbours. There are no fixed quiet hours for ordinary noise, but loud sound clearly audible at a home between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. is prohibited. Construction is allowed 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays and holidays.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Abbotsford, https://www.abbotsford.ca)  
**Cost:** No specific amount is set for noise. The general penalty applies: a $500 bylaw notice ($450 if paid within 14 days of delivery) or a $1,000 municipal ticket ($500 if paid in full by the 30th day after service).  
**Where:**
- Phone: Bylaw Services, 604-864-5512 (Office hours Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; bylaw officers are on duty 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.)
- Phone: Abbotsford Police non-emergency (evening), 604-859-5225
- Phone: Business Permits and Licences (construction site noise), 604-864-5525
- Online: Bylaw Service Request form, https://www.abbotsford.ca/bylaw-service-request

## Key facts

- **General rule:** Nobody may make a noise in a road, park or similar public place that disturbs the quiet, peace, rest, enjoyment, comfort or convenience of people nearby. An owner or occupier of property must not make or allow a sound that can be easily heard by someone not on the same premises and that disturbs the neighbourhood. This does not apply if the sound level can practically be measured and complies with the bylaw's limits.
  - Source: [Sound Regulation Bylaw, 2017 (No. 2687-2017), consolidated to August 31, 2020, s. 8](https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2017b2687)
  - Official wording: "must not make or cause a noise or Sound in a Roadway, Park or similar public place which disturbs or tends to disturb the quiet, peace, rest," … "real property must not make, suffer, or permit any other person to make, a Sound, on that real property, which can be easily heard by a person not on the same Premises" … "Subsection (a) does not apply if a Sound level may practically be measured and the Sound level is in compliance with this Bylaw."
  - Source: [Good Neighbour Bylaw, 2024 (No. 3068-2024), consolidated to March 31, 2026, s. 15(1)(b)](https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2024bylaw3068)
  - Official wording: "an emission of noise, vibration, odour, smoke, dust, gas, spark, ash, soot, cinder, fume,"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Quiet hours:** No fixed quiet hours for ordinary noise. But radios, instruments, amplified sound, shouting and loud vehicles that are clearly audible at a residential property between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. are prohibited even if within the decibel limits. Lower decibel limits apply at night (outside 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. weekdays and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays and holidays).
  - Source: [Sound Regulation Bylaw, 2017 (No. 2687-2017), consolidated to August 31, 2020, s. 9(b); Schedule A "Daytime", "Nighttime"](https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2017b2687)
  - Official wording: "unless the noise or Sound is clearly audible at a Point of Reception in a residential area between the hours of 10:00 p.m. one day and 7:00 a.m. the following day." … "(a) from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on a week day or Saturday; and" … "(b) from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on a Sunday or Holiday." … "Nighttime" means any time not included within the definition of"
  - Source: [Abbotsford Good Neighbour Guide (2021), Noise](https://www.abbotsford.ca/sites/default/files/2021-02/Abbotsford%20Good%20Neighbour%20Guide.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Quiet time in residential neighbourhoods is between the hours of 10:00pm and 7:00am the"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Construction hours:** Monday to Saturday, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. (not on holidays). Sundays and statutory holidays, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Construction sound may not exceed 85 dBA at the receiver at any time near residential premises. Work in a road is exempt from the 85 dBA cap. An exemption for work outside these hours can be requested from the Chief Building Official at least 10 business days ahead.
  - Source: [Sound Regulation Bylaw, 2017 (No. 2687-2017), consolidated to August 31, 2020, s. 11, 14](https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2017b2687)
  - Official wording: "between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. on any day from Monday to Saturday when such day is not a Holiday;" … "between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. on any Sunday or statutory Holiday." … "of which exceeds 85 dBA on an Approved Sound Meter when measured at the greater of" … "must be submitted to the Chief Building Official at least ten (10) business days before Construction work"
  - Source: [Bylaw Services, FAQ: construction noise](https://www.abbotsford.ca/city-services/bylaw-services)
  - Official wording: "Monday to Saturday: 7:00 am - 9:00 pm" … "Sundays – 9:00 am to 9:00 pm"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Other limits:** Decibel limits by district and time at the receiver (Quiet District: 55 dBA by day, 45 dBA at night); power equipment up to 75 dBA from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Exempt: normal farm practices, emergency vehicles, permitted events, garbage collection. The bylaw sets collection hours as 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday to Saturday; the City's Bylaw Services page says 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Sources differ: Activity Districts (commercial and industrial zones) have higher limits (s. 5). Apartment, strata and rental-unit neighbours: the bylaw exempts noise inside the same real property (s. 13(a)(xii)); the Guide says to report that to the strata or property manager. Barking dogs fall under the FVRD Animal Control bylaw (10 minutes or more, or between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m.).)
  - Source: [Sound Regulation Bylaw, 2017 (No. 2687-2017), consolidated to August 31, 2020, s. 4, 10, 13](https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2017b2687)
  - Official wording: "55 dBA or 70 dBC when received at a Point of Reception in a Quiet" … "45 dBA or 65 dBC when received at a Point of Reception in a Quiet" … "between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., make or cause a Sound that exceeds the Sound level limits set out in Sections 4 and 5." … "If the Equivalent Sound Level does not exceed 75 dBA" … "normal farm practices on a farm operation as defined by and protected" … "(A) between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. on a Monday to Saturday;"
  - Source: [Bylaw Services, FAQ: noise from garbage collection](https://www.abbotsford.ca/city-services/bylaw-services)
  - Official wording: "Monday to Saturday: 6:00 am - 10:00 pm"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Who to call, business hours:** Bylaw Services, 604-864-5512 (bylawservices@abbotsford.ca). Office hours Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; bylaw officers are on duty 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Construction site noise: Business Permits and Licences, 604-864-5525. Report online with the Bylaw Service Request form.
  - Source: [Bylaw Services, FAQ](https://www.abbotsford.ca/city-services/bylaw-services)
  - Official wording: "during the day - Bylaw Services - 604-864-5512" … "Bylaw Office Hours are Monday through Friday 8:30 am - 4:30 pm" … "Bylaw Officer core on duty hours are Monday through Sunday 7:00 am – 8:00 pm" … "Tel: 604-864-5525"
  - Source: [Abbotsford Good Neighbour Guide (2021), Noise](https://www.abbotsford.ca/sites/default/files/2021-02/Abbotsford%20Good%20Neighbour%20Guide.pdf)
  - Official wording: "To report a noise concern during the day: 604-864-5512."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Who to call, after hours:** Abbotsford Police non-emergency line, 604-859-5225, in the evening.
  - Source: [Bylaw Services, FAQ](https://www.abbotsford.ca/city-services/bylaw-services)
  - Official wording: "during the evening - Abbotsford Police: 604-859-5225"
  - Source: [Abbotsford Good Neighbour Guide (2021), Noise](https://www.abbotsford.ca/sites/default/files/2021-02/Abbotsford%20Good%20Neighbour%20Guide.pdf)
  - Official wording: "To report a noise concern from 7pm-7am (AbbyPD non-emergency line): 604-859-5225" … "or text to 222973."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** Bylaw notice: $500 ($50 discount if paid within 14 days of delivery, so $450). Municipal ticket: $1,000 ($500 discount if paid in full by the 30th day after service, so $500).
  - Source: [Bylaw Enforcement Bylaw, 2020 (No. 3017), s. 6(a), 6(b), 17, 18, 28](https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2020bylaw3017)
  - Official wording: "$500 for a bylaw contravention dealt with by bylaw notice;" … "$1 000 for a bylaw contravention dealt with by municipal ticket;" … "is discounted by $50 if the penalty is paid in full within 14 days of the delivery of the bylaw notice." … "is $500 if not paid within 30 days following the date the penalty becomes due and payable." … "is discounted by $500 if the penalty is paid in full by the 30th day from the date on which the ticket is served." … "The Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw, 2007 and Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw, 2007 are"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Sound Regulation Bylaw, 2017 (Bylaw No. 2687-2017); also Good Neighbour Bylaw, 2024 (Bylaw No. 3068-2024), s. 15
  - Source: [Sound Regulation Bylaw, 2017 (No. 2687-2017), consolidated to August 31, 2020, title](https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2017b2687)
  - Official wording: "Sound Regulation Bylaw, 2017" … "Bylaw No. 2687-2017"
  - Source: [Good Neighbour Bylaw, 2024 (No. 3068-2024), consolidated to March 31, 2026, title](https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2024bylaw3068)
  - Official wording: "Good Neighbour Bylaw, 202 4" … "Bylaw No. 3068-2024"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Under the [Sound Regulation Bylaw](<https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2017b2687>), nobody may make noise in a road, park or similar public place that disturbs the quiet, peace, rest, enjoyment, comfort or convenience of people nearby. An owner or occupier must not make or allow a sound that can be easily heard by someone not on the same premises and that disturbs the neighbourhood. This does not apply if the sound level can practically be measured and complies with the bylaw's limits. The [Good Neighbour Bylaw](<https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2024bylaw3068>) s. 15 also bars noise that disturbs the neighbourhood.

## Quiet hours

The bylaw sets no fixed quiet hours for ordinary noise. But radios, instruments, amplified sound, shouting and loud vehicles clearly audible at a residential property between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. are prohibited, even if within the decibel limits. Lower decibel limits apply at night (outside 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. weekdays and Saturdays, and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays and holidays).

## Good to know

- **Construction:** Monday to Saturday, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. (not on holidays); Sundays and statutory holidays, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Near homes, construction sound may not exceed 85 dBA. Work in a road is exempt from that cap. You can request an exemption from the Chief Building Official at least 10 business days ahead.
- **Limits:** for example, a Quiet District allows 55 dBA by day and 45 dBA at night. Power equipment may reach 75 dBA from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- **Exempt:** normal farm practices, emergency vehicles, permitted events and garbage collection. The bylaw sets collection hours as 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday to Saturday; the City's Bylaw Services page says 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., so confirm with the City.
- **Apartments and strata:** the bylaw exempts noise inside the same real property; report that to the strata or property manager.
- **Barking dogs** fall under the FVRD Animal Control bylaw, not this one (call 1-844-495-2273).
- **Fines:** no specific amount is listed for noise, so the general penalty applies: a $500 bylaw notice ($450 if paid within 14 days of delivery) or a $1,000 municipal ticket ($500 if paid in full by the 30th day after service). Section 18 of the Bylaw Enforcement Bylaw sets a late-payment amount of $500 if a bylaw notice is not paid within 30 days after it becomes due.
- Report to Bylaw Services at 604-864-5512 by day, or Abbotsford Police at 604-859-5225 in the evening. The Bylaw Service Request form is online.

## Official forms and pages

- [Sound Regulation Bylaw, 2017 (No. 2687-2017)](https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2017b2687)
- [Bylaw Services FAQ](https://www.abbotsford.ca/city-services/bylaw-services)

## Related questions

- [Abbotsford bylaw fines and how tickets work](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/abbotsford/bylaw-fines.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Noise bylaws in British Columbia: quiet hours, construction hours and fines by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/noise-rules.md)
- [Mission](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/mission/noise-rules.md)
- [Township of Langley](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley-township/noise-rules.md)
- [Chilliwack](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chilliwack/noise-rules.md)
- [Langley City](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley/noise-rules.md)
- [Maple Ridge](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/maple-ridge/noise-rules.md)
- [Pitt Meadows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/pitt-meadows/noise-rules.md)

## Sources

- [Sound Regulation Bylaw, 2017 (No. 2687-2017), consolidated to August 31, 2020](https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2017b2687) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Bylaw Services, City of Abbotsford](https://www.abbotsford.ca/city-services/bylaw-services) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Good Neighbour Bylaw, 2024 (No. 3068-2024), consolidated to March 31, 2026](https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2024bylaw3068) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Bylaw Enforcement Bylaw, 2020 (No. 3017)](https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2020bylaw3017) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Abbotsford Good Neighbour Guide (2021) (PDF)](https://www.abbotsford.ca/sites/default/files/2021-02/Abbotsford%20Good%20Neighbour%20Guide.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)

_Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 8 of 8 facts was matched to the official text. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with City of Abbotsford. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/abbotsford/noise-rules/_