Fort St. John noise bylaw: quiet hours, construction hours and fines
What are the noise rules and quiet hours in Fort St. John?
Short answer
Fort St. John's Noise Regulation Bylaw 2507 has no single quiet-hours rule. Amplified sound, shouting and banging are deemed disturbing from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m., animal noise from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m., and construction noise is banned before 7 a.m. and after 10 p.m. A bylaw notice is $100.
Key facts
| General rule | No one may make or allow noise, sound or vibration, in a public place or coming from a property, that disturbs or tends to disturb the quiet, peace, rest, enjoyment, comfort or convenience of people in the neighbourhood.Noise Regulation Bylaw No. 2507, 2019, ss. 3-4 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingdisturbs or tends to disturb the quiet, peace, rest, No person shall use or permit such property to be used so that noise, sound or vibration |
|---|---|
| Quiet hours | 10 p.m. to 8 a.m.: voice amplification, shouting, banging, and sound from radios, TVs, instruments or other sound equipment that can be heard outside are deemed disturbing. 8 p.m. to 8 a.m.: noise from kept animals (except farm operations, shelters, vet clinics, kennels).Noise Regulation Bylaw No. 2507, 2019, s. 5(a)-(c) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingbetween the hours of 10:00 pm and 8:00 am, use of a megaphone, microphone between the hours of 10:00 pm and 8:00 am, noise or sound from a radio between the hours of 8:00 pm and 8:00 am, noise or sounds permitted to be made or caused by any kept or harboured animal |
| Construction hours | Construction noise is not permitted before 7 a.m. or after 10 p.m. on any day other than Sunday or a statutory holiday. On a Sunday or statutory holiday it is not permitted if the contractor is receiving profit or financial compensation. The Director of Planning and Engineering may approve work outside these hours.Noise Regulation Bylaw No. 2507, 2019, s. 6 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingbefore 7:00 am or after 10:00 pm on any day other than Sunday or a statutory on a Sunday or statutory holiday if the contractor is receiving profit or financial Director of Planning and Engineering or his/her alternate may give written |
| Other limits | Horns, alarms or warning devices sounding for 3 minutes or more in any 15 minutes are deemed disturbing (unless a real danger or warning signal). A dog that barks or cries in a way that disturbs the neighbourhood is an offence. Exempt: police, fire and ambulance, City and government work, church bells, code-required alarms, and farm operations under the Right to Farm Act.Noise Regulation Bylaw No. 2507, 2019, ss. 5(d)-(e), 7 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordinga dog whose owner permits or causes the dog to cry or bark in a manner which totaling three (3) minutes or more in any fifteen (15) police, fire or ambulance service personnel the use of bells or chimes for announcing of public worship services |
| Who to call, business hours | City Bylaw Services, 250-787-8150 (or dial 3-1-1), or the City’s Report a Problem form. Complainants must give their name, address and phone number; anonymous complaints are not investigated.Bylaw Services, Reporting a Bylaw Infraction; Bylaw Services Frequently Asked Questions, Anonymous complaints · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingcalling 250-787-8150 or complete the Report a Problem form Anonymous complaints will not be investigated must provide their full name, address and phone number |
| Who to call, after hours | Not confirmed. No after-hours noise contact is stated in the published sources. |
| Fine | Bylaw notice: $100 ($75 within 14 days, $125 on days 31–60). Construction noise outside hours: $100, $250, then $500 for a third offence (early $75/$200/$400). Municipal ticket: $100 ($100/$250/$500 for construction). Two systems, not a conflict; compliance agreement available.Noise Regulation Bylaw No. 2507, 2019, Schedule A · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wording$100 $75 $125 First Offence Second Offence $250 $500 16. The amounts appearing in Column 3 of Schedule A of this Bylaw are the fines set 17. The penalty for a contravention dealt with by bylaw notice in accordance with the |
| Bylaw | Noise Regulation Bylaw No. 2507, 2019Noise Regulation Bylaw No. 2507, 2019, s. 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingNoise Regulation Bylaw No. 2507, 2019 |
How it works
The Noise Regulation Bylaw 2507 bans noise, sound or vibration, in a public place or from a property, that disturbs or tends to disturb the quiet, peace, rest, enjoyment or comfort of people in the neighbourhood. It then names kinds of noise that are deemed disturbing at set hours. It sets no decibel limits.
Steps
- Check the hours below. Noise outside them can still be an offence if it disturbs neighbours.
- If it is safe, talk to the neighbour first.
- Otherwise report it to Bylaw Services at 250-787-8150 (or 3-1-1) or through the Report a Problem form. Give your name, address and phone number; anonymous complaints are not investigated.
Good to know
- 10 p.m. to 8 a.m.: voice amplification, shouting, banging, and sound from radios, TVs, instruments or other sound equipment that can be heard outside.
- 8 p.m. to 8 a.m.: noise from kept animals (farm operations, shelters, vet clinics and kennels excepted). A dog that barks or cries in a way that disturbs the neighbourhood is an offence at any hour.
- A horn, alarm or warning device sounding for 3 minutes or more in any 15 minutes is deemed disturbing, unless it signals real danger.
- Construction noise is not allowed before 7 a.m. or after 10 p.m. on any day other than Sunday or a statutory holiday. On a Sunday or statutory holiday it is not allowed if the contractor is paid. The Director of Planning and Engineering may approve work outside these hours; the contractor must hand-deliver notice to owners within 100 metres three days before.
- Exempt: police, fire and ambulance, City and government work, church bells, code-required alarms, and farm operations under the Right to Farm Act.
- A bylaw notice is $100; a municipal ticket is also $100. The City does not state an after-hours noise line.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Dawson Creek · Pouce Coupe · Chetwynd · Tumbler Ridge · Mackenzie · Prince George
Noise bylaws in British Columbia: quiet hours, construction hours and fines by municipality →
Sources
- Noise Regulation Bylaw No. 2507, 2019 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Bylaw Services, City of Fort St. John (read 2026-11-05)
- Bylaw Services Frequently Asked Questions, City of Fort St. John (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.