Nanaimo noise bylaw: quiet hours, construction hours and fines
What are the noise rules and quiet hours?
Short answer
In the City of Nanaimo, amplified sound clearly audible in a residential area is a disturbance between 11 p.m. and 9 a.m. Construction is not allowed before 7 a.m. or after 9 p.m., Monday to Saturday (9 a.m. on Sundays and statutory holidays). The ticket is $100.
Key facts
| General rule | No one may make, cause or permit noise or sound, on a highway or elsewhere, in a private or public place, that disturbs or tends to disturb the quiet, peace, rest, enjoyment, comfort or convenience of the neighbourhood or people nearby.Noise Control Bylaw 1994 No. 4750, s. 3 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingNo person shall make, cause or permit to be made any noise or sound in or on a highway or elsewhere, in a private or public place, in the Municipality, which disturbs or tends to disturb the quiet, peace, rest, enjoyment, comfort or convenience of the neighbourhood or of persons in the vicinity. |
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| Quiet hours | Amplified sound (radio, stereo, TV or other sound equipment) clearly audible at a point of reception in a residential area between 11 p.m. and 9 a.m. is listed as a disturbance. Lawnmowers and rototillers not before 7 a.m. or after 9 p.m.; loading, unloading and handling refuse or materials in residential areas not before 7 a.m. or after 9 p.m.Noise Control Bylaw 1994 No. 4750, s. 4(1)(a), (f), (g); Noise Bylaw, web page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingwhere the noise or sound is clearly audible at a point of reception in a residential area between the hours of 11:00 p.m. one day and 9:00 a.m. the following day. Using a lawnmower or rototiller before 7:00 a.m. or after 9:00 p.m. before 7:00 a.m. or after 9:00 p.m. in any residential area. Please note that the playing or operation of any amplified sound at a level or in a manner that unreasonably disturbs your neighbors at any time of the day is also prohibited. |
| Construction hours | Not allowed before 7 a.m. or after 9 p.m., Monday to Saturday, nor before 9 a.m. or after 9 p.m. on Sundays and statutory holidays. Blasting and drilling or compressor work to prepare for blasting: only 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Saturday, never on Sundays or statutory holidays.Noise Control Bylaw 1994 No. 4750, s. 4(1)(e), (h); Noise Bylaw, web page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingbefore 7:00 a.m. or after 9:00 p.m., Monday to Saturday and before 9:00 a.m. or after 9:00 p.m., on Sundays and Statutory before 7:00 a.m. or after 5:00 p.m., Monday to Saturday and at all times on Sundays and Statutory Holidays. before 7:00 am or after 9:00 pm, Monday to Saturday and before 9:00 am or after 9:00 pm on Sundays or Statutory Holidays. |
| Other limits | No decibel limit found. Also listed as disturbances: vehicles (not buses or trucks) audible beyond 150 m; idling a diesel engine, truck or bus over 15 minutes in one place; animals that persistently cry, bark or howl. Exempt: emergency vehicles, warning horns, utilities and government work, church bells, authorized parades and festivals, and certain deliveries or moving. The City says industrial-zone hours are not restricted. Dogs: see Animal Responsibility Bylaw s. 88 (15 minutes in any 60).Noise Control Bylaw 1994 No. 4750, s. 4(1), s. 5; Noise Bylaw, web page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingBeing in the care or control of any vehicle, except for buses and trucks, which creates or emits a noise or sound which is audible beyond 150 metres in any Idling or continuously running of a diesel engine, a truck or bus for more than 15 Harbouring or keeping any animal or bird which persistently cries, barks, or howls. Police, Fire Department or Emergency vehicles when engaged upon a service of The hours of operation of industrial zoned properties are not restricted or regulated |
| Who to call, business hours | Bylaw, Regulation and Security, 250-755-4422, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays; bylaw.info@nanaimo.ca. Barking dogs: Nanaimo Animal Control, 250-616-0233.Noise Bylaw, web page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingplease contact the Bylaw, Regulation and Security at 250-755-4422 to register a complaint between 8 am and 4:30 pm weekdays. Animal related incidents and noise from dogs should be reported to Nanaimo Animal Control Services at 250-616-0233. |
| Who to call, after hours | No after-hours noise line is listed. After-hours calls to 250-755-4422 are assigned to a Bylaw Enforcement Officer for investigation on the next business day. If the noise involves unlawful or criminal activity with risk of harm, call the Nanaimo RCMP at 250-754-2345; in an emergency, call 911.Noise Bylaw, web page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingAfter hours calls will be assigned to a Bylaw Enforcement Officer for investigation on the next business day. contact the Nanaimo RCMP at 250-754-2345. In the case of an emergency, call 911. |
| Fine | $100 (early payment $75, late payment $125) for noise causing disturbance (s. 3). The bylaw's own ticket schedule also sets $100 for objectionable noise (s. 4(2)).Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2012 No. 7159, Schedule A, Schedule A, Noise Control Bylaw; Noise Control Bylaw 1994 No. 4750, Schedule B · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wording3 Noise causing disturbance 100.00 75.00 125.00 Noise causing disturbance 3 $100.00 Objectionable noise 4(2) $100.00 |
| Bylaw | Noise Control Bylaw 1994 No. 4750.Noise Control Bylaw 1994 No. 4750, s. 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingCity of Nanaimo "NOISE CONTROL BYLAW 1994 NO. 4750". |
How it works
The Noise Control Bylaw 1994 No. 4750 bans noise, in a private or public place, that disturbs or tends to disturb the quiet, peace, rest, enjoyment, comfort or convenience of the neighbourhood or people nearby. It also lists specific disturbances with set hours. The bylaw sets no decibel limit.
Good to know
- Amplified sound (radio, stereo, TV or other sound equipment) clearly audible in a residential area is a disturbance between 11 p.m. and 9 a.m.
- Construction is not allowed before 7 a.m. or after 9 p.m., Monday to Saturday, or before 9 a.m. or after 9 p.m. on Sundays and statutory holidays.
- Blasting, and drilling or compressor work to prepare for it, is allowed only 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Saturday, never on Sundays or statutory holidays.
- Lawnmowers and rototillers: not before 7 a.m. or after 9 p.m. Loading, unloading and handling refuse or materials in residential areas: same hours.
- Also listed as disturbances: vehicles (other than buses or trucks) audible beyond 150 m, idling a diesel engine, truck or bus over 15 minutes in one place, and animals that persistently cry, bark or howl. For dogs, the Animal Responsibility Bylaw uses 15 minutes in any 60.
- Exempt: emergency vehicles, warning horns, utilities and government work, church bells, authorized parades and festivals, and certain deliveries or moving. The City says industrial-zone hours are not restricted, and extraordinary construction projects authorized by the Managing Director of Public Works are exempt.
- To complain, call Bylaw Regulation and Security, or Animal Control for barking dogs. No after-hours noise line is listed. If the noise involves unlawful or criminal activity with a risk of harm, call the RCMP at 250-754-2345; in an emergency call 911.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Lantzville · Ladysmith · Parksville · Sechelt · Qualicum Beach · Lake Cowichan
Noise bylaws in British Columbia: quiet hours, construction hours and fines by municipality →
Sources
- Noise Bylaw, City of Nanaimo (read 2026-11-05)
- Noise Control Bylaw 1994 No. 4750 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2012 No. 7159 (PDF), Schedule A (read 2026-11-05)
Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 8 of 8 facts was matched to the official text. How answers are checked.