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Grand Forks noise bylaw: quiet hours, construction hours and fines

What are the noise rules and quiet hours?

Grand Forks, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-05

Short answer

Grand Forks' Noise Control Bylaw No. 1963 bans noise that disturbs the neighbourhood, but sets no general quiet hours. It calls animal noise and amplified music or speech audible outside the property objectionable from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. Construction noise has separate hours, and the bylaw gives two different limits.

Key facts

General ruleNo one may make or allow noise that disturbs the quiet, peace, rest, enjoyment, comfort or convenience of the neighbourhood or people nearby. Owners and occupiers must not let noise from their property disturb others.Noise Control Bylaw No. 1963, 2013, consolidated to 1963-A1, ss. 4.1, 4.2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
No person(s) shall make or cause, or permit to be made or caused, in or on a highway or elsewhere in the City, any noise or sound which disturbs the quiet,
No owner, tenant or occupier of real property shall allow that property to be used so that a noise or sound, which originates from that property, disturbs the quiet,
Quiet hoursNo general quiet hours. The bylaw calls these 'objectionable': animal noise or amplified music or speech audible outside the property, 11 p.m. to 7 a.m.; construction noise, 8 p.m. to 7 a.m.; motorized off-road vehicle noise, 6 p.m. to 10 a.m.Noise Control Bylaw No. 1963, 2013, consolidated to 1963-A1, s. 4.4(a), (b), (e) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
any calls, cries, barks, or other noises made by an animal which are audible outside the property where the animal is kept, between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.;
any amplified music or speech which is audible outside the property where it originates or is reproduced, between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.;
any noise caused by the operation of motorized off-road vehicles is not permitted from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 a.m;
any noise caused or emanating from construction activity, including alterations, demolitions, and excavations between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.;
Construction hoursDisturbing construction noise is allowed Monday to Friday 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.; building erection, demolition, construction, alteration or repair 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (no day stated); Saturdays 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sundays and holidays 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Section 4.4(c) calls construction noise objectionable from 8 p.m.; urgent work by written permit.Sources differ: Section 4.4(c) separately calls construction noise 'objectionable' between 8:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., which overlaps the 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. limits in s. 6.1; the bylaw does not reconcile the two.Noise Control Bylaw No. 1963, 2013, consolidated to 1963-A1, s. 6.1, 6.2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
(a) Monday through Friday, between the hours of 7 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.;
between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.;
(c) Saturdays, between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.;
(d) Sunday and other holidays, between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
may be waived or varied by a permit in writing
(b) the erection, demolition, construction, reconstruction, alteration or repair of
any noise caused or emanating from construction activity, including alterations, demolitions, and excavations between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.;
Other limitsNo decibel limits. Parked diesel vehicle noise over 10 minutes, 11 p.m. to 7 a.m., is objectionable. Exempt: emergency vehicles, City work, snow removal, council-approved events, code-required public address systems, warning horns, lawnmowers and power tools 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., and businesses or industry in zones that allow them if noise is minimized.Noise Control Bylaw No. 1963, 2013, consolidated to 1963-A1, ss. 4.4(d), 5.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
any noise longer than 10 minutes caused or emanating from the operation of a parked or stopped diesel vehicle between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
a lawnmower, power gardening equipment or chainsaw operated between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.;
police, fire, or other emergency vehicles proceeding upon an emergency;
Any business or industry established in accordance with the City of
provided that all precautions are taken according to the latest
Who to call, business hoursCity Hall Bylaw Services: (250) 442-8266 or info@grandforks.ca. City Hall hours are Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.Building Inspections and Bylaw Services, Bylaw Services page; Recycling and Garbage, Hours of Operation · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
The Bylaw Enforcement department supports and reinforces community standards set out within the City
(250) 442-8266
City Hall Offices: Monday - Friday: 9am - 4pm
Who to call, after hoursNot confirmed. Not found in the official sources that were read.
FineMunicipal ticket: $100 for noise that disturbs (s. 4.1), noise from private property (s. 4.2), objectionable noise (s. 4.4), or construction noise in restricted hours (s. 6.1). On court conviction: up to $2,000.Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 2073, Schedule I; Noise Control Bylaw No. 1963, 2013, consolidated to 1963-A1, s. 8.1(a) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Noise which disturbs $100.00
Objectionable noise $100.00
Construction noise during restricted hours $100.00
liable upon summary conviction to a fine not exceeding $2,000.00.
BylawGrand Forks Noise Control Bylaw No. 1963, 2013.Noise Control Bylaw No. 1963, 2013, consolidated to 1963-A1, s. 1.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
“Grand Forks Noise Control Bylaw No. 1963, 2013”

How it works

In the City of Grand Forks, Noise Control Bylaw No. 1963 prohibits noise that disturbs the quiet, peace, rest, enjoyment, comfort or convenience of the neighbourhood or people nearby. Owners and occupiers must not let disturbing noise come from their property. The bylaw sets no decibel limits and no general quiet hours, but calls these "objectionable":

  • Animal noise, or amplified music or speech audible outside the property: 11 p.m. to 7 a.m.
  • Construction noise: 8 p.m. to 7 a.m.
  • Motorized off-road vehicle noise: 6 p.m. to 10 a.m.
  • A parked diesel vehicle running more than 10 minutes: 11 p.m. to 7 a.m.

Construction hours

Section 6.1 allows disturbing construction noise Monday to Friday 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturdays 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sundays and holidays 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Building erection, demolition, construction, alteration or repair is allowed 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Urgent work needs a written permit.

Good to know

  • The two construction limits conflict: section 4.4(c) calls noise objectionable from 8 p.m., while section 6.1 allows work until 9 p.m. or 10 p.m. The bylaw does not reconcile them, so confirm with City Hall.
  • Exempt: emergency vehicles, City work, snow removal, council-approved events, warning horns, and lawnmowers and power tools from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
  • If a violation continues half an hour after first contact, each half hour is a new offence.
  • To report noise, call City Hall at 250-442-8266 or email info@grandforks.ca. No after-hours noise number was found.

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Midway · Rossland · Warfield · Trail · Montrose · Castlegar

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

Sources

  1. Noise Control Bylaw No. 1963, 2013, consolidated to 1963-A1 (PDF), City of Grand Forks (read 2026-11-05)
  2. Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 2073, Schedule I (PDF), City of Grand Forks (read 2026-11-05)
  3. Building Inspections and Bylaw Services, City of Grand Forks (read 2026-11-05)
  4. Recycling and Garbage, City of Grand Forks (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.