---
title: "Kitimat noise bylaw: quiet hours, construction hours and fines"
question: "What are the noise rules and quiet hours in Kitimat?"
place: Kitimat, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/kitimat
category: Bylaws, noise and complaints
owner: municipal
sources_read: 2026-11-06
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kitimat/noise-rules/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kitimat/noise-rules.json"
---

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

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

**Short answer:** In Kitimat's residential areas, yelling and shouting are prohibited from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., and tools and motors from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. (9 p.m. to 7 a.m. in June, July and August). Lawn mowers are barred from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. The Code sets no decibel limit.

**Who handles it:** Municipal  
**Cost:** No cost to follow. Prohibited noise at the times and places in the bylaw, or excessive barking: a bylaw notice is $250 ($200 if paid within 14 days; $350 late). Prohibited sounds listed in the general rule: $100 ($50 early; $150 late). A municipal ticket is $1,000 ($500 if paid within 30 days).  
**How long:** Not stated.  
**Where:**
- In person: Municipal Hall (bylaw complaints), 270 City Centre, Kitimat, BC V8C 2H7 (Office hours are not stated in the documents we read.)
- Phone: Municipal Hall (bylaw complaints), 250-632-8900

## Key facts

- **General rule:** Council declares certain acts objectionable noise: racing a motorized conveyance, squealing tires or racing an engine, running an engine or construction equipment in a residential area without working mufflers, and using a motorized conveyance other than on a driveway, road or parking lot.
  - Source: [Kitimat Municipal Code, consolidated 2026-02, s. 9.12.1.2](https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/kmc-consolidated-2026-02.pdf)
  - Official wording: "to result in sounds which are objectionable or" … "race a motorized conveyance except in a legally regulated" … "operate a motor vehicle in such a way that the tires squeal"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Quiet hours:** In a residential area, yelling, shouting, hooting or whistling is prohibited from 7 p.m. one day to 7 a.m. the next day, if clearly audible at a point of reception. Operating any tool, household appliance, motor or other device is prohibited 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. (9 p.m. to 7 a.m. in June, July and August), except snow removal or cutting grass. Lawn mowers: 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. all year. Loading, unloading or handling containers, products or refuse: 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. all year, unless necessary for essential services or moving household effects.
  - Source: [Kitimat Municipal Code, consolidated 2026-02, s. 9.12.1.3 table](https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/kmc-consolidated-2026-02.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Yelling, shouting, hooting," … "1900 one day to" … "700 next day" … "The operation of a lawn mower" … "2100 one day to" … "Loading, unloading, delivering,"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Construction hours:** Operating construction, maintenance or other equipment in a residential area is prohibited from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. (9 p.m. to 7 a.m. in June, July and August), except snow removal or maintaining essential services. The Code does not set different hours for Saturdays, Sundays or holidays.
  - Source: [Kitimat Municipal Code, consolidated 2026-02, s. 9.12.1.3 table](https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/kmc-consolidated-2026-02.pdf)
  - Official wording: "The operation of construction," … "maintenance or other" … "equipment except when used" … "for snow removal or the" … "maintenance of essential" … "services."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Other limits:** No decibel limits. Persistent barking or similar animal noise, playing instruments, and amplified sound are prohibited at all times in a residential area if clearly audible at a point of reception. Exceptions: emergency measures, traditional festive and religious activities and sanctioned community events, and work approved by the Municipal Engineer.
  - Source: [Kitimat Municipal Code, consolidated 2026-02, s. 9.12.1.3-4](https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/kmc-consolidated-2026-02.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Persistent, repeated or regular" … "The playing of a musical" … "instrument or the operation of" … "At all times" … "sounds associated with traditional festive and religious" … "any activities directed or approved to be performed by the"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Who to call, business hours:** Make a written complaint on the District's Bylaw Enforcement Complaint Form (phone 250-632-8900). Complaints are sent to a Bylaw Enforcement Officer.
  - Source: [Bylaw Enforcement Complaint Form, Bylaw Enforcement Complaint Form, header; Procedures 2](https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/bylaw-enforcement-complaint-form.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Ph. 250-632-8900 Fax: 250-632-4995" … "Forward to Bylaw Enforcement Officer when completed" … "Bylaw enforcement investigation will be commenced on submission of written complaints."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Who to call, after hours:** Not confirmed. Not found in the official sources that were read.
- **Fine:** Bylaw notice: $250 ($200 if paid within 14 days; $350 late) for prohibited noise at the times and places in 9.12.1.3 and for excessive barking; $100 ($50 early; $150 late) for prohibited sounds in 9.12.1.2. Municipal ticket: $1,000 ($500 if paid within 30 days).
  - Source: [Municipal Ticket Information System, Part 1 Division 3 of the Kitimat Municipal Code, Part 9 table](https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/part1-div3-municipalticket-20241202.pdf)
  - Official wording: "an obstruction to traffic 9.10.1.2 $100 Creating Noise Disturbance 9.12.1.2(a)-(d) $100 Creating Noise Disturbance 9.12.1.3 $100"
  - Source: [Municipal Enforcement Bylaw No. 2086, 2026, council agenda copy of May 19, 2026, Schedules A and B, rows 73, 191, 192](https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/2026-05-19-reg.pdf)
  - Official wording: "191 Prohibited Sound 9.12.1.2(a) - (d) $ 100.00 $ 50.00 $ 150.00" … "192 Prohibited noise per Schedule [A/B/C] clearly audible at point of reception 9.12.1.3 $ 250.00 $ 200.00 $ 350.00" … "73 Excessive barking or howling 5.5.5.1 $ 250.00 $ 200.00 $ 350.00" … "191 Prohibited Sound 9.12.1.2(a) - (d) $1,000.00 $500.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Kitimat Municipal Code, Part 9, Division 12 - Environmental Control, Subdivision 1 - Noise
  - Source: [Kitimat Municipal Code, consolidated 2026-02, s. 9.12.1](https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/kmc-consolidated-2026-02.pdf)
  - Official wording: "PART 9 - PLANNING Division 12 - Environmental Control Subdivision 1 - Noise 9.12.1. Interpretation 1. In this Subdivision:"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Part 9, Division 12 (Noise) of the [Kitimat Municipal Code](https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/kmc-consolidated-2026-02.pdf) bans certain noise in residential areas if it is clearly audible at a point of reception.

- Yelling, shouting, hooting or whistling: 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.
- Operating any tool, household appliance, motor or other device, and construction, maintenance or other equipment: 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., or 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. in June, July and August. Snow removal and cutting grass are excepted from the tool rule.
- Lawn mowers: 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. all year.
- Loading, unloading or handling containers, products or refuse: 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. all year, unless needed for essential services or moving household effects.
- Persistent barking or similar animal noise, playing instruments, and amplified sound: prohibited at all times in a residential area.

The Code also declares certain acts objectionable, such as racing a motorized conveyance, squealing tires, and running an engine without a working muffler. The Code does not set different hours for weekends or holidays, and it has no decibel limits.

## Steps

1. Try talking to the neighbour first if you feel comfortable.
2. Otherwise fill out the District's Bylaw Enforcement Complaint Form, or call 250-632-8900. Written complaints are sent to a Bylaw Enforcement Officer.

## Good to know

- Exceptions: emergency measures, traditional festive and religious activities, sanctioned community events, and work approved by the Municipal Engineer.
- Prohibited noise or excessive barking: a bylaw notice is $250 ($200 if paid within 14 days; $350 late); a municipal ticket is $1,000 ($500 if paid within 30 days).
- No after-hours noise contact was found.

## Official forms and pages

- [Bylaw Enforcement Complaint Form, District of Kitimat (PDF)](https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/bylaw-enforcement-complaint-form.pdf)
- [Kitimat Municipal Code, consolidated 2026-02 (PDF)](https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/kmc-consolidated-2026-02.pdf)

## Related questions

- [Kitimat bylaw fines and how tickets work](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kitimat/bylaw-fines.md)
- [Kitimat dog leash rules and off-leash areas](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kitimat/dog-leash-rules.md)
- [Kitimat backyard chickens, bees and livestock rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kitimat/backyard-chickens.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)
- [Terrace](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/terrace/noise-rules.md)
- [Port Edward](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-edward/noise-rules.md)
- [Prince Rupert](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/prince-rupert/noise-rules.md)
- [Telkwa](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/telkwa/noise-rules.md)
- [Smithers](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/smithers/noise-rules.md)
- [Granisle](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/granisle/noise-rules.md)

## Sources

- [Kitimat Municipal Code, consolidated 2026-02 (PDF)](https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/kmc-consolidated-2026-02.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Municipal Enforcement Bylaw No. 2086, 2026, council agenda copy of May 19, 2026 (PDF)](https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/2026-05-19-reg.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Municipal Ticket Information System, Part 1 Division 3 of the Kitimat Municipal Code (PDF)](https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/part1-div3-municipalticket-20241202.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Bylaw Enforcement Complaint Form, District of Kitimat (PDF)](https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/bylaw-enforcement-complaint-form.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)

_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. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with any government. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kitimat/noise-rules/_