--- title: "New Westminster noise bylaw: quiet hours, construction hours and fines" question: "What are the noise rules and quiet hours in New Westminster?" place: New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada place_path: ca/bc/new-westminster category: Bylaws, noise and complaints owner: municipal owner_body: City of New Westminster sources_read: 2026-11-05 review: machine_checked canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/noise-rules/" json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/noise-rules.json" --- # New Westminster noise bylaw: quiet hours, construction hours and fines **Question:** What are the noise rules and quiet hours in New Westminster? **Short answer:** New Westminster's Noise Bylaw bans noise that disturbs neighbours at any hour and sets decibel limits. Night is 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. Construction noise is allowed weekdays 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Report problems to Bylaw Enforcement at 604-527-4657. **Who handles it:** Municipal (City of New Westminster, https://www.newwestcity.ca) **Cost:** Bylaw notice: $200 first offence ($150 if paid within 14 days), $400 repeat; construction noise $250, then $500. Municipal ticket: $1,000. A court fine of up to $2,000 is also possible. **Where:** - Phone: Bylaw Enforcement (City Hall business hours), 604-527-4657 - Email: Bylaw Enforcement, bylawenforcement@newwestcity.ca - Phone: Barking dogs (Animal Services), 604-519-2008 - Phone: New Westminster Police Department non-emergency (after hours, party in progress), 604-525-5411 ## Key facts - **General rule:** No one may make or allow a noise on a highway or property that disturbs, or tends to disturb, the quiet, peace, rest, enjoyment, comfort or convenience of the neighbourhood or people nearby, or that exceeds the bylaw's decibel limits. Owners and occupiers may not permit it. - Source: [Noise Bylaw 6520, 1999 (consolidated May 2, 2019), s. 3-4](https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/6520__1999_Noise.pdf) - Official wording: "make or cause any noise or sound to be made in or on a" … "no owner or occupier of real property shall allow or permit any noise or sound which disturbs" - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 - **Quiet hours:** No single set of quiet hours. The bylaw defines night as 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., when lower decibel limits apply and power equipment (leaf blowers, mowers, trimmers, chippers, pressure washers) may not be operated at all. Daytime is 7:01 a.m. to 9:59 p.m. - Source: [Noise Bylaw 6520, 1999 (consolidated May 2, 2019), s. 2](https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/6520__1999_Noise.pdf) - Official wording: "night means that period from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., local time" … "daytime means that time period from 7:01 a.m. to 9:59 p.m., local time" - Source: [Noise Bylaw 6520, 1999 (consolidated May 2, 2019), s. 8(a)](https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/6520__1999_Noise.pdf) - Official wording: "no person shall operate power equipment in a quiet zone or an activity zone or elsewhere in the Municipality at night" - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 - **Construction hours:** Construction that disturbs the neighbourhood is allowed only weekdays 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., not Sundays or other holidays. A resident building on their own residence may work Sundays and holidays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., if not for profit or gain. - Source: [Construction Noise Bylaw 6063, 1992 (consolidated 2025), s. 3 (Permitted Hours)](https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/Consolidated_Bylaw_6063__1992_Construction_Noise__2025_09_29_consolidation_.pdf) - Official wording: "between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. on weekdays and between 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. on Saturdays" … "but does not include Sundays or other holidays." … "Construction which disturbs the quiet, peace, rest, enjoyment, comfort and convenience of the neighbourhood or persons in the vicinity is not permitted, except during Permitted Hours." - Source: [Construction Noise Bylaw 6063, 1992 (consolidated 2025), s. 8](https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/Consolidated_Bylaw_6063__1992_Construction_Noise__2025_09_29_consolidation_.pdf) - Official wording: "a person carrying out Construction on their residence on a Sunday or other holiday, between the hours of 9:00 a.m." … "provided that such Construction is not being carried out" - Source: [Information Regarding Construction Noise Bylaw 6063, 1992, bulletin](https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/CONSTRUCTION_NOISE_BYLAW_INFORMATION_BULLETIN_2026.pdf) - Official wording: "Construction noise is permitted between 7:00 am and 8:00 pm Monday to Friday and between 9:00 am and 6:00 pm Saturdays." - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 - **Other limits:** Continuous noise: 60 dB day, 55 dB night in activity zones; 55 dB day, 45 dB night in quiet zones (residential, institutional and park zones in Schedule B). Non-continuous: 80 dB day, 75 dB night. Power equipment up to 87 dB. Vehicle amplified sound and car alarms limited. Emergency work exempt. - Source: [Noise Bylaw 6520, 1999 (consolidated May 2, 2019), s. 5](https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/6520__1999_Noise.pdf) - Official wording: "shall not exceed 60 dBs during the daytime and" … "55 dBs at night" … "QUIET ZONES shall include all real property classified by New Westminster Zoning Bylaw under the following classifications (as abbreviated below) or designated by Council from time to time for residential or institutional use" - Source: [Noise Bylaw 6520, 1999 (consolidated May 2, 2019), s. 6](https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/6520__1999_Noise.pdf) - Official wording: "shall not exceed 55 dBs during the daytime and 45" - Source: [Noise Bylaw 6520, 1999 (consolidated May 2, 2019), s. 7](https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/6520__1999_Noise.pdf) - Official wording: "shall not exceed 80 dBs during the daytime or 75 dBs at night." - Source: [Noise Bylaw 6520, 1999 (consolidated May 2, 2019), s. 8(b)](https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/6520__1999_Noise.pdf) - Official wording: "permitted for such operation may reach, but not exceed 87 dBs." - Source: [Noise Bylaw 6520, 1999 (consolidated May 2, 2019), s. 11(a)](https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/6520__1999_Noise.pdf) - Official wording: "the amplified sound of a radio, television, player or other" - Source: [Noise Bylaw 6520, 1999 (consolidated May 2, 2019), s. 13](https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/6520__1999_Noise.pdf) - Official wording: "works of an emergency nature in order to preserve the life or" - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 - **Who to call, business hours:** A Bylaw Officer at 604-527-4657 during City Hall business hours (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.), or by email. Barking dogs: Animal Services, 604-519-2008. - Source: [Noise Bylaw, How do I report](https://www.newwestcity.ca/services/bylaw-enforcement/noise-bylaw) - Official wording: "Call 604-527-4657 during City Hall business hours" - Source: [Frequently Asked Questions, Animal Services, Barking Dogs](https://www.newwestcity.ca/services/animal-services/frequently-asked-questions) - Official wording: "please call us at 604-519-2008" - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 - **Who to call, after hours:** New Westminster Police Department non-emergency line, 604-525-5411, for a noise disturbance after hours or a party in progress. Call 911 if it sounds violent. - Source: [Noise Bylaw, Other](https://www.newwestcity.ca/services/bylaw-enforcement/noise-bylaw) - Official wording: "if you are experiencing a noise disturbance after hours and would like peace restored to the neighbourhood call the New Westminster Police Department non-emergency number at 604-525-5411." - Source: [Noise Bylaw, What can I do](https://www.newwestcity.ca/services/bylaw-enforcement/noise-bylaw) - Official wording: "For situations that sounds violent or that you believe may escalate to violence call 911." - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 - **Fine:** Bylaw notice: noise that disturbs $200 first offence ($150 if paid within 14 days; $225 late), $400 repeat; construction noise $250 first, $500 repeat. Municipal ticket information: $1,000 each. The Noise Bylaw (s. 15) also allows a court fine up to $2,000. - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 7318, 2009 (consolidated July 29, 2026), Sch. A Part 11 / Construction noise, first and repeat offence penalties](https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/Consolidated_Bylaw_7318__2009_Bylaw_Notice_Enforcement__2026_07_29_consolidation_.pdf) - Official wording: "Noise which disturbs - 200.00 150.00 225.00 YES first offence" … "Noise which disturbs - 400.00 350.00 425.00 NO repeat offence" … "Construction noise - first 250.00 200.00 275.00" … "Noise which disturbs" … "Construction Noise Bylaw No. 6063, 1992 A1 A2 A3 A4 A5 A6 A7 Bylaw Section Description Penalty Early Late Compliance No. ($) Payment Payment Agreement Penalty Penalty Available ($) ($) (50% of Penalty) 6063, 1992 4 Construction noise - first 250.00 200.00 275.00 YES offence 6063, 1992 4 Construction noise - 500.00 450.00 525.00 NO repeat offence 6063, 1992 9 Obstructing inspection 500.00 475.00 525.00 NO" - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 7318, 2009 (consolidated July 29, 2026), Sch. A Part 7](https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/Consolidated_Bylaw_7318__2009_Bylaw_Notice_Enforcement__2026_07_29_consolidation_.pdf) - Official wording: "Construction noise - first 250.00 200.00 275.00 YES offence" - Source: [Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw 8077, 2019 (consolidated July 29, 2026), Sch. B Part 11](https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/Consolidated_Bylaw_8077__2019_Municipal_Ticket_Information__2026_07_29_consolidation_(1%29.pdf) - Official wording: "Noise which disturbs 1,000.00" - Source: [Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw 8077, 2019 (consolidated July 29, 2026), Sch. B Part 7](https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/Consolidated_Bylaw_8077__2019_Municipal_Ticket_Information__2026_07_29_consolidation_(1%29.pdf) - Official wording: "Bylaw Section Description Penalty ($) No. 6063, 1992 4 Construction noise 1,000.00 6063, 1992 9 Obstructing inspection 1,000.00 Doc # 2923748 Page 35" - Source: [Noise Bylaw 6520, 1999 (consolidated May 2, 2019), Noise Bylaw section 15, conviction](https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/6520__1999_Noise.pdf) - Official wording: "PENALTY 15. Every person who violates any of the provisions of the Bylaw shall be guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction and shall be liable to a fine not exceeding $2,000.00 and, in default of payment, to imprisonment not exceeding 30 days. DESIGNATION UNDER MUNICIPAL TICKETING BYLAW" - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 - **Bylaw:** Noise Bylaw No. 6520, 1999; Construction Noise Bylaw No. 6063, 1992. - Source: [Noise Bylaw 6520, 1999 (consolidated May 2, 2019), s. 1](https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/6520__1999_Noise.pdf) - Official wording: "This Bylaw may be cited for all purposes as "Noise Bylaw No. 6520, 1999"." - Source: [Construction Noise Bylaw 6063, 1992 (consolidated 2025), s. 1](https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/Consolidated_Bylaw_6063__1992_Construction_Noise__2025_09_29_consolidation_.pdf) - Official wording: "This Bylaw may be cited for all purposes as “New Westminster Construction Noise Bylaw No. 6063, 1992”." - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 ## How it works The [Noise Bylaw 6520]() bans making or allowing noise that disturbs, or tends to disturb, the quiet, peace, rest or comfort of the neighbourhood, or that exceeds the bylaw's decibel limits. Owners and occupiers may not permit it. There is no single set of quiet hours: night is defined as 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., when lower limits apply, and daytime is 7:01 a.m. to 9:59 p.m. Construction noise falls under the separate [Construction Noise Bylaw 6063](). ## Steps 1. If a noise sounds violent, call 911. 2. For a party or other noise in progress after hours, call the police non-emergency line at 604-525-5411. 3. For ongoing problems, call a Bylaw Officer at 604-527-4657 during City Hall business hours (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.), or email bylawenforcement@newwestcity.ca. 4. For a barking dog, call Animal Services at 604-519-2008. ## Good to know - Continuous noise (more than three minutes in any 15): 60 decibels (dB) by day and 55 dB at night in activity zones; 55 dB by day and 45 dB at night in quiet zones, which include residential, institutional and park zones. Non-continuous noise: 80 dB by day and 75 dB at night. - Power equipment (leaf blowers, mowers, trimmers, chippers, pressure washers) may be used 7:01 a.m. to 9:59 p.m. and not at night. It is limited to 87 dB. - Construction noise is allowed only weekdays 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., not Sundays or other holidays. A resident building on their own residence may work Sundays and holidays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., if not for profit or gain. - Vehicle amplified sound and car alarms are limited. Emergency work is exempt. - Barking: continuous sound of 3 minutes or more in any 15 minutes is covered by the Animal Care and Control Bylaw. - Penalties: a bylaw notice is $200 for a first offence ($150 if paid within 14 days) and $400 for a repeat, or $250 and $500 for construction noise. A municipal ticket is $1,000. ## Official forms and pages - [Noise Bylaw page and FAQ](https://www.newwestcity.ca/services/bylaw-enforcement/noise-bylaw) - [Noise Bylaw 6520, 1999 (PDF)](https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/6520__1999_Noise.pdf) - [Construction Noise Bylaw information bulletin (PDF)](https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/CONSTRUCTION_NOISE_BYLAW_INFORMATION_BULLETIN_2026.pdf) ## Related questions - [New Westminster bylaw fines and how tickets work](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/bylaw-fines.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) - [Burnaby](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/noise-rules.md) - [Coquitlam](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coquitlam/noise-rules.md) - [Port Coquitlam](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-coquitlam/noise-rules.md) - [Port Moody](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-moody/noise-rules.md) - [Belcarra](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/belcarra/noise-rules.md) - [Surrey](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/surrey/noise-rules.md) ## Sources - [Noise Bylaw, City of New Westminster](https://www.newwestcity.ca/services/bylaw-enforcement/noise-bylaw) (read 2026-11-05) - [Noise Bylaw 6520, 1999 (consolidated May 2, 2019) (PDF)](https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/6520__1999_Noise.pdf) (read 2026-11-05) - [Construction Noise Bylaw 6063, 1992 (consolidated 2025) (PDF)](https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/Consolidated_Bylaw_6063__1992_Construction_Noise__2025_09_29_consolidation_.pdf) (read 2026-11-05) - [Information Regarding Construction Noise Bylaw 6063, 1992 (PDF)](https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/CONSTRUCTION_NOISE_BYLAW_INFORMATION_BULLETIN_2026.pdf) (read 2026-11-05) - [Frequently Asked Questions, Animal Services](https://www.newwestcity.ca/services/animal-services/frequently-asked-questions) (read 2026-11-05) - [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 7318, 2009 (consolidated July 29, 2026) (PDF)](https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/Consolidated_Bylaw_7318__2009_Bylaw_Notice_Enforcement__2026_07_29_consolidation_.pdf) (read 2026-11-05) - [Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw 8077, 2019 (consolidated July 29, 2026) (PDF)](https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/Consolidated_Bylaw_8077__2019_Municipal_Ticket_Information__2026_07_29_consolidation_(1%29.pdf) (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. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with City of New Westminster. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/noise-rules/_