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Cumberland noise bylaw: quiet hours, construction hours and fines

What are the noise rules and quiet hours in Cumberland?

Cumberland, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-08

Short answer

Cumberland's Noise Control Bylaw bans noise that disturbs the peace at any time and sets no fixed quiet hours. Construction and lawnmowers are covered by set hours: Monday to Saturday 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sundays and holidays 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Report noise to 250-336-2291.

Key facts

General ruleNo person may make, cause or permit noise or sound that disturbs the quiet, peace, rest, enjoyment, comfort or convenience of individuals or the public, or let it come from their property. This covers amplified music or speech, machinery noise and barking dogs.Noise Control Bylaw No. 950, 2012, s. 3 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
make, cause or permit to be made any noise or sound which disturbs or intends to disturb the quiet, peace, rest, enjoyment, comfort or convenience of individuals or the public,
cause or permit any amplified music or amplified speech which disturbs
keep any dog, which by its calls, cries, barks or other noises disturbs
Quiet hoursNone set. The Noise Control Bylaw sets no fixed quiet hours.Read: Noise Control Bylaw No. 950, 2012
Construction hoursConstruction and yard machinery (lawnmowers): Monday to Saturday 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sundays and holidays 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Blasting and site-preparation equipment: Monday to Saturday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sundays and holidays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.Noise Control Bylaw No. 950, 2012, s. 6(a), (b), (d) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
This bylaw does not apply to the following activities during the days and times indicated:
Construction activities:
Monday to Saturday between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m.Sundays and holidays between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Monday to Saturday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.Sundays and holidays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Other limitsNo decibel limits. Exempt: police, fire and emergency vehicles, vehicle warning horns, government and utility service work, and fireworks under a Village permit. The Chief Administrative Officer can grant a written exemption if compliance is impossible or impractical (non-refundable $50 fee, except for not-for-profit purposes).Noise Control Bylaw No. 950, 2012, s. 5, 7, 11(h) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
This bylaw does not apply to
fireworks authorized by a permit issued by the Corporation of the Village of Cumberland,
A person may submit an application for an exemption from the provisions of this bylaw to the Chief Administrative Officer if it is impossible or impractical to comply with this bylaw.
a non-refundable fee of $50, except to an applicant for a not-for-profit purpose.
Who to call, business hoursBylaw Enforcement and Animal Control: 250-336-2291 or bylaw@cumberland.ca; Village Office hours Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Village does not accept anonymous complaints.Bylaw Compliance, Bylaw Compliance page; Contact, Phone and Email Contacts; Office Hours · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
Noise disturbances
To register a complaint with the Village, you may call 250-336-2291 or drop into the Village Office during office hours and complete a complaint form.
The Village does not accept anonymous complaints.
Bylaw Enforcement and Animal Control: bylaw@cumberland.ca
Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Who to call, after hoursNot confirmed. No after-hours noise contact is stated in the published sources.
FineNoise that disturbs: first offence $50 ($25 if paid early); second $100 ($50); third or continued $150 ($75). Machinery noise: $150, $200, $250 (early $75, $100, $125). Barking dog: $50, $100, $150.Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 1053, 2017 (consolidated August 2025), Schedule G · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
Noise which disturbs, first offence 3(a) $50 $25
Noise which disturbs, second offence 3(a) $100 $50
Machinery which disturbs, first offence 3(d) $150 $75
Dog which disturbs, first offence 3(e) $50 $25
BylawNoise Control Bylaw No. 950, 2012Noise Control Bylaw No. 950, 2012, s. 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
This Bylaw shall be cited as ‘The Corporation of the Village of Cumberland Noise Control Bylaw No. 950, 2012.’

How it works

Under the Noise Control Bylaw No. 950, no one in Cumberland may make, cause or permit noise or sound that disturbs the quiet, peace, rest, enjoyment, comfort or convenience of individuals or the public, or let it come from their property. This covers amplified music or speech, machinery noise and barking dogs. The bylaw sets no fixed quiet hours and no decibel limits.

Steps

  1. Call Bylaw Enforcement at 250-336-2291 or email bylaw@cumberland.ca. You can also complete a complaint form at the Village Office. The Village does not accept anonymous complaints.
  2. Office hours are Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. No after-hours noise line is named on the Village pages. The Comox Valley RCMP non-emergency line is 250-338-1321 (call 911 in an emergency).

Good to know

  • Construction and yard machinery (such as lawnmowers) are not covered by the bylaw Monday to Saturday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sundays and holidays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Outside those times the ban on disturbing noise applies.
  • Blasting and site-preparation equipment: Monday to Saturday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sundays and holidays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Loading and unloading near residential areas: Monday to Saturday 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sundays and holidays 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Industrial activities: Monday to Saturday 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sundays and holidays 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Exempt: police, fire and emergency vehicles, vehicle warning horns, government and utility service work, and fireworks under a Village permit.
  • The Chief Administrative Officer can grant a written exemption if compliance is impossible or impractical. The fee is $50 and non-refundable, except for not-for-profit purposes.
  • A conviction in court carries a minimum penalty of $200 under the bylaw.

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Courtenay · Comox · Campbell River · Powell River · Port Alberni · Qualicum Beach

Noise bylaws in British Columbia: quiet hours, construction hours and fines by municipality →

Sources

  1. Noise Control Bylaw No. 950, 2012, Village of Cumberland (read 2026-11-08)
  2. Bylaw Compliance, Village of Cumberland (read 2026-11-08)
  3. Contact, Village of Cumberland (read 2026-11-08)
  4. Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 1053, 2017 (consolidated August 2025) (PDF) (read 2026-11-08)
  5. Police, Village of Cumberland (read 2026-11-08)

Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 6 of 8 facts was matched to the official text; 1 is recorded as not set; 1 could not be confirmed. How answers are checked.