Duncan noise bylaw: quiet hours, construction hours and fines
What are the noise rules and quiet hours in Duncan?
Short answer
In the City of Duncan, the Good Neighbour Bylaw bans any noise that disturbs the peace. There are no general quiet hours, but construction is allowed only 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturdays, and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sundays and holidays.
Key facts
| General rule | No one may make, or let be made, any noise or sound that disturbs or is liable to disturb the quiet, peace, rest, enjoyment, comfort or convenience of people, or that exceeds the bylaw's sound levels. Owners and occupiers must not let their property be used that way. Following the specific rules is no defence if the noise still disturbs.Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 3156, 2017, s. 5.1.1, 5.1.2, 5.1.3 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingdisturbs or is liable to disturb the quiet, peace, rest, enjoyment, comfort, or convenience of individuals or the public Despite compliance with Part 5.2, a person may be found in violation of sections 5.1.1 or 5.1.2. |
|---|---|
| Quiet hours | No general quiet hours. Lower sound limits apply at "Night": 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. (to 8 a.m. on Sundays and holidays). Continuous sound: 55 dBA by day, 45 dBA at night. Other sound: 80 dBA by day, 65 dBA at night.Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 3156, 2017, s. 2 (Night), s. 5.2.9, 5.2.10 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingMeans the period of time from 8:00 pm on one day to 7:00 am on the next day (a) during the Day 55 dBA (b) during the Night 45 dBA (a) during the Day 80 dBA (b) during the Night 65 dBA |
| Construction hours | Allowed weekdays (not holidays) 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturdays 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sundays and holidays 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Construction noise must also not exceed 85 dBA at the nearest receiving point or 15.2 m.Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 3156, 2017, s. 5.2.2, 5.3.2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingConstruction Noise: (a) before 7:00 am or after 8:00 pm on a weekday that is not a holiday; (b) before 8:00 am or after 8:00 pm on a Saturday; and (c) before 9:00 am or after 7:00 pm on a Sunday, or a holiday. exceeds 85 dBA on an approved sound meter |
| Other limits | Leaf blowers: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends and holidays. Power equipment (mowers etc.): 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays and holidays. Animal noise over 15 minutes in an hour, outdoor public address systems, loud vehicle noise and amplified sound in vehicles are prohibited.Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 3156, 2017, s. 5.2.1, 5.2.3, 5.2.7, 5.2.8 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingLeaf Blower Noise: (a) before 8:00 am or after 8:00 pm on a weekday that is not a holiday; and (b) before 9:00 am or after 5:00 pm on a Saturday, Sunday or holiday. Power Equipment Noise: (a) before 8:00 am or after 8:00 pm on a weekday that is not a holiday; (b) before 8:00 am or after 8:00 pm on a Saturday; and (c) before 9:00 am or after 5:00 pm on a Sunday, or a holiday. Any noises or sounds resulting from the operation of a public address system outside of a building or structure. the occurrence of which extends for fifteen (15) minutes or more within 1 hour |
| Who to call, business hours | Report through the City's online Issue Reporting Form; a Bylaw Enforcement Officer typically responds within three business days. For urgent matters call City Hall at 250-746-6126. Barking dogs: Coastal Animal Control Services, 250-748-3395.Bylaw Enforcement, How to Make a Complaint; Animal Control · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingcomplaints can be registered through the City’s Issue Reporting Form where the infraction will be logged and responded to by a Bylaw Enforcement Officer (typically within three business days) For urgent matters where public health or safety could be jeopardized, please contact the office at 250-746-6126. Barking dogs - Neglected or stray dogs Coastal Animal Control Services is located at 2202 Herd Road Phone: (T:250-748-3395) |
| Who to call, after hours | Not confirmed. No after-hours noise contact is stated in the published sources. |
| Fine | Bylaw notice: noise that disturbs the public or exceeds the sound level $100 ($75 if paid within 14 days, $125 after 28 days); prohibited construction noise $150 ($112.50 early, $187.50 late). Municipal ticket: outdoor public address system noise $1,000.Bylaw Offence Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 3200 (PDF, consolidated June 8, 2026), Schedule A, Good Neighbour Bylaw s. 5.1.1, 5.2.2; Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 3189, 2018, Schedule B, Good Neighbour Bylaw · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingMaking noise that disturbs the public $100.00 $75.00 $125.00 YES Prohibited construction noise $150.00 $112.50 $187.50 YES Prohibited noise from a public address system 5.2.8 $1,000.00 |
| Bylaw | Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 3156, 2017Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 3156, 2017, s. 1 (Title) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingThis Bylaw may be cited as the “Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 3156, 2017.” |
How it works
Part 5 of the Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 3156 forbids any noise that disturbs or is liable to disturb the quiet, peace, rest, enjoyment or comfort of others, or that exceeds the bylaw's sound levels. Following the specific rules is no defence if the noise still disturbs. The bylaw sets no fixed quiet hours; lower sound limits apply at night (8 p.m. to 7 a.m., or to 8 a.m. on Sundays and holidays).
Good to know
- Construction: weekdays (not holidays) 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturdays 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sundays and holidays 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. It must also stay at or under 85 dBA at the nearest receiving point or 15.2 metres. Loading and unloading goods, waste or garbage follows the same hours.
- Leaf blowers: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends and holidays.
- Power equipment such as mowers: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Saturday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays and holidays.
- Sound levels: continuous sound (3 minutes or more in any 15) 55 dBA by day and 45 dBA at night; other sound 80 dBA by day and 65 dBA at night.
- Also prohibited: animal noise over 15 minutes in an hour, radios, stereos and alarms audible for 15 minutes in an hour, loud vehicle noise, and outdoor public address systems.
- Exemptions: for construction that cannot meet the hours, apply in writing to the Chief Administrative Officer at least 10 business days before work starts. Emergency vehicles and repairs, City work and permitted public events are excluded.
- Reporting: use the City's Issue Reporting Form; an officer typically responds within three business days. For urgent matters call City Hall. For barking dogs call Coastal Animal Control Services. No after-hours noise line is stated.
- Fines: a bylaw notice (Bylaw No. 3200) is $100 for noise that disturbs the public or exceeds the sound level ($75 if paid within 14 days, $125 after 28 days) and $150 for prohibited construction noise ($112.50 early, $187.50 late). A municipal ticket (Bylaw No. 3189) is $1,000 for outdoor public address noise.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
North Cowichan · Ladysmith · North Saanich · Lake Cowichan · Sidney · Central Saanich
Noise bylaws in British Columbia: quiet hours, construction hours and fines by municipality →
Sources
- Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 3156, 2017 (PDF), City of Duncan (read 2026-11-05)
- Bylaw Offence Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 3200 (PDF, consolidated June 8, 2026), City of Duncan (read 2026-11-05)
- Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 3189, 2018 (PDF), City of Duncan (read 2026-11-05)
- Bylaw Enforcement, City of Duncan (read 2026-11-05)
- Animal Control, City of Duncan (read 2026-11-05)
Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 7 of 8 facts was matched to the official text; 1 could not be confirmed. How answers are checked.