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

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

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

**Short answer:** Saanich's Noise Suppression Bylaw bans noise that disturbs the neighbourhood at any hour; it sets no fixed quiet hours for ordinary noise. Permitted building work is exempt from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. except Sundays. A bylaw notice is $300. Call Bylaw Enforcement at 250-475-5456.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (District of Saanich, https://www.saanich.ca)  
**Cost:** Bylaw notice $300 for disturbing the neighbourhood ($250 if paid within 14 days); $200 for a noisy animal or dog. Municipal ticket $300 within 30 days, $350 after ($200/$250 for animals). A court conviction carries a fine of at least $150.  
**How long:** The general ban applies at any hour.  
**Where:**
- Phone: Saanich Bylaw Enforcement, 250-475-5456 (Monday to Friday, normal working hours)
- Phone: Saanich Police non-emergency (evenings and weekends), 250-475-4321
- Phone: Saanich Public Works (late-night crews or contractors), 250-475-5599
- Phone: CRD Bylaw and Animal Care Services (barking dogs), 250-478-0624
- Phone: Saanich Business Licence (home business noise), 250-475-5401

## Key facts

- **General rule:** No one may make a noise or sound, on a street or anywhere in Saanich, that disturbs or tends to disturb the quiet, peace, rest, enjoyment, comfort or convenience of the neighbourhood or people nearby. Owners and occupiers must not let others do so on their property. Keeping an animal or bird that makes frequent or loud noise is also banned; a dog barking or howling for more than ten minutes is an objectionable noise.
  - Source: [Noise Suppression Bylaw, 1993, No. 7059, ss. 2(a), 3, 4, 5](https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Local~Government/Documents/Bylaws~and~Policies/noisesuppresionbylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "No person shall make or cause to be made any noise or sound in or on a highway or" … "disturbs or tends to disturb the quiet, peace, rest, enjoyment, comfort or" … "in excess of ten minutes is, in the opinion of Council, an objectionable noise"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Quiet hours:** None set. Saanich's Noise Suppression Bylaw sets no fixed quiet hours for ordinary noise.
- **Construction hours:** Building work (erection, demolition, construction, alteration, repair or excavation) with a valid building permit, and street or lane excavation, is exempt from the bylaw between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. every day except Sunday. At other times only urgent work essential to public health, safety or protection is exempt.
  - Source: [Noise Suppression Bylaw, 1993, No. 7059, s. 11(e)](https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Local~Government/Documents/Bylaws~and~Policies/noisesuppresionbylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "provided a valid building permit has been obtained, or the excavating of any street, highway or lane" … "between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. on each day except Sunday" … "if such work is essential to" … "the health, safety or protection of the public"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Other limits:** Heat pumps and pool/hot-tub pumps in a quiet zone: max 50 decibels 7 a.m.-10 p.m., 45 decibels 10 p.m.-7 a.m. Shopping centres: 58 decibels 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Also banned: motor boats without a muffler, personal watercraft on Prospect Lake, engine brakes (except emergencies). Exempt: lawnmowers 8 a.m.-9 p.m., deliveries 6 or 7 a.m.-9 p.m. (not Sundays or statutory holidays), reasonable farm noise 7 a.m.-9 p.m.
  - Source: [Noise Suppression Bylaw, 1993, No. 7059, ss. 6, 6.1, 7, 7.1, 8, 11](https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Local~Government/Documents/Bylaws~and~Policies/noisesuppresionbylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "in excess of 50 decibels between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. on any day" … "or in excess of 45 decibels between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. of the following day" … "No person shall make noise by operating a personal water craft on Prospect Lake" … "exceeds 58 decibels measured at a point of reception in a Quiet Zone" … "The use of a lawnmower between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. on any day"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Who to call, business hours:** Bylaw Enforcement, 250-475-5456, Monday to Friday during normal working hours (bylaw@saanich.ca). Barking dogs and other animal noise: CRD Bylaw and Animal Care Services, 250-478-0624. Home business noise: Saanich Business Licence, 250-475-5401.
  - Source: [Bylaw Enforcement FAQ, Bylaw enforcement FAQ](https://www.saanich.ca/EN/main/local-government/bylaw-services/bylaw-enforcement-faq.html)
  - Official wording: "if the noise is occurring Monday-Friday during normal working hours please contact Bylaw Enforcement at 250-475-5456" … "Please contact CRD Bylaw and Animal Care Services at 250-478-0624" … "Please contact Saanich Business License at 250-475-5401"
  - Source: [Complaint Process, Complaint process](https://www.saanich.ca/EN/main/local-government/bylaw-services/complaint-process.html)
  - Official wording: "- To register a general bylaw complaint, please: - call 250-475-5456, - email bylaw@saanich.ca or - complete the Report a Problem form. - To register a parking complaint, please:"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Who to call, after hours:** Saanich Police non-emergency line, 250-475-4321, for noise in the evening or on weekends. Noise from a boat on Beaver, Elk or Prospect Lake: same number. Late-night work by Public Works crews or contractors: Saanich Public Works, 250-475-5599.
  - Source: [Bylaw Enforcement FAQ, Bylaw enforcement FAQ](https://www.saanich.ca/EN/main/local-government/bylaw-services/bylaw-enforcement-faq.html)
  - Official wording: "If the noise is occurring during evening or weekend hours please contact the Saanich Police non-emergency number at 250-475-4321" … "Please contact Saanich Public Works at 250-475-5599"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** Bylaw notice: $300 for disturbing the neighbourhood or letting a property cause disturbances ($250 if paid within 14 days); $200 for a noisy animal or dog. Municipal ticket: $300 within 30 days, $350 after; $200/$250 for animals. A court conviction carries a fine of at least $150.
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw, 2018, No. 9525, Schedule 12](https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Local~Government/Documents/Bylaws~and~Policies/bylawnoticeenforcementbylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Surcharge Discount Disturbing the neighbourhood 2 (a), 2 (b) $300.00 $50.00 $50.00 n/a Owning/Occupying property 3 $300.00 $50.00 $50.00 n/a" … "Keeping noisy animal 4 $200.00 $50.00 $50.00 n/a Keeping noisy dog 5 $200.00 $50.00 $50.00 n/a Operating boat without a muffler 6 (b) $300.00 $50.00 $50.00 n/a"
  - Source: [Ticket Bylaw, 2010, No. 9029, Schedule 12](https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Local~Government/Documents/Bylaws~and~Policies/ticket-bylaw-2010-no-9029.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Disturbing the neighbourhood 2 (a), 2 (b) $300.00 $350.00" … "Keeping noisy dog 5 $200.00 $250.00"
  - Source: [Noise Suppression Bylaw, 1993, No. 7059, s. 15](https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Local~Government/Documents/Bylaws~and~Policies/noisesuppresionbylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "to a fine of not less than $150"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Noise Suppression Bylaw, 1993, No. 7059
  - Source: [Noise Suppression Bylaw, 1993, No. 7059, title](https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Local~Government/Documents/Bylaws~and~Policies/noisesuppresionbylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "NOISE SUPPRESSION BYLAW, 1993, NO. 7059"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Under the [Noise Suppression Bylaw, 1993, No. 7059](https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Local~Government/Documents/Bylaws~and~Policies/noisesuppresionbylaw.pdf), no one may make a noise or sound, on a street or anywhere in Saanich, that disturbs or tends to disturb the quiet, peace, rest, enjoyment, comfort or convenience of the neighbourhood or people nearby. Owners and occupiers must not let others do so on their property. Keeping an animal or bird that makes frequent or loud noise is also banned; a dog barking or howling for more than ten minutes is an objectionable noise.

The bylaw sets no fixed quiet hours for ordinary noise. The general ban applies at any hour.

**Construction.** Building work (erection, demolition, construction, alteration, repair or excavation) with a valid building permit, and street or lane excavation, is exempt from the bylaw between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. every day except Sunday. At other times only urgent work essential to public health, safety or protection is exempt. Statutory holidays are not mentioned.

**Other limits.** Heat pumps and pool or hot-tub pumps in a quiet zone: 50 decibels from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., 45 decibels from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. Also banned: motor boats without a muffler, personal watercraft on Prospect Lake, and engine brakes (except in emergencies). Exempt: lawnmowers from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.; reasonable farm noise from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

## Steps

1. Daytime: call Bylaw Enforcement at 250-475-5456 (Monday to Friday) or email bylaw@saanich.ca.
2. Evenings and weekends: call the Saanich Police non-emergency line, 250-475-4321. This includes boat noise on Beaver, Elk or Prospect Lake.
3. Barking dogs and other animal noise: CRD Bylaw and Animal Care Services, 250-478-0624.

## Good to know

- Disturbing the neighbourhood is a bylaw notice of $300 ($250 if paid within 14 days) or a municipal ticket of $300 within 30 days and $350 after. A noisy animal or dog is $200 as a bylaw notice, or $200/$250 as a ticket.
- A court conviction carries a fine of at least $150.

## Official forms and pages

- [Noise Suppression Bylaw, 1993, No. 7059 (PDF)](https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Local~Government/Documents/Bylaws~and~Policies/noisesuppresionbylaw.pdf)
- [Bylaw Enforcement FAQ, District of Saanich](https://www.saanich.ca/EN/main/local-government/bylaw-services/bylaw-enforcement-faq.html)
- [Complaint Process, District of Saanich](https://www.saanich.ca/EN/main/local-government/bylaw-services/complaint-process.html)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw, 2018, No. 9525 (PDF)](https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Local~Government/Documents/Bylaws~and~Policies/bylawnoticeenforcementbylaw.pdf)
- [Ticket Bylaw, 2010, No. 9029 (PDF)](https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Local~Government/Documents/Bylaws~and~Policies/ticket-bylaw-2010-no-9029.pdf)

## Related questions

- [Saanich bylaw fines and how tickets work](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/saanich/bylaw-fines.md)
- [How many dogs or cats you can keep in Saanich](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/saanich/how-many-pets.md)
- [Saanich building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/saanich/building-permit.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)
- [Oak Bay](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/oak-bay/noise-rules.md)
- [Esquimalt](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/esquimalt/noise-rules.md)
- [Victoria](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/victoria/noise-rules.md)
- [View Royal](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/view-royal/noise-rules.md)
- [Central Saanich](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/central-saanich/noise-rules.md)
- [Colwood](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/colwood/noise-rules.md)

## Sources

- [Noise Suppression Bylaw, 1993, No. 7059 (PDF)](https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Local~Government/Documents/Bylaws~and~Policies/noisesuppresionbylaw.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Bylaw Enforcement FAQ, District of Saanich](https://www.saanich.ca/EN/main/local-government/bylaw-services/bylaw-enforcement-faq.html) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Complaint Process, District of Saanich](https://www.saanich.ca/EN/main/local-government/bylaw-services/complaint-process.html) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw, 2018, No. 9525 (PDF)](https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Local~Government/Documents/Bylaws~and~Policies/bylawnoticeenforcementbylaw.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Ticket Bylaw, 2010, No. 9029 (PDF)](https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Local~Government/Documents/Bylaws~and~Policies/ticket-bylaw-2010-no-9029.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 is recorded as not set. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with District of Saanich. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/saanich/noise-rules/_