Sooke noise bylaw: quiet hours, construction hours and fines

What are the noise rules and quiet hours in Sooke?

Sooke, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-06

Short answer

Sooke's Noise Control Bylaw bans noise that disturbs the peace of others, but sets no fixed nightly quiet hours. Music or speech equipment audible outside your property is banned from 11:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m. if it disturbs others. Yard equipment may not be used before 8:00 a.m. or after 9:00 p.m.

Key facts

General rule	No one may make or allow noise in a highway or public place, or from their property, that disturbs or is likely to disturb the quiet, peace, rest, enjoyment, comfort or convenience of individuals or the public.Noise Control Bylaw No. 485, s. 3.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording any noise which disturbs or is liable to disturb the quiet, peace, rest, enjoyment, comfort, or convenience of individuals or the public. disturbs or is liable to disturb the quiet, peace, rest,
Quiet hours	No fixed quiet hours for ordinary noise. Music or speech equipment audible outside the property between 11:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. is banned if it disturbs others.Noise Control Bylaw No. 485, s. 3.2(a) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording audible between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. outside the premises on the real property from where
Construction hours	Building or excavation work: Monday to Saturday 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.; Sundays and statutory holidays 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Using construction equipment: Monday to Saturday 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; not at any time on Sundays and statutory holidays. Blasting-related noise has the same hours as equipment.Noise Control Bylaw No. 485, s. 3.2(e), (f), (g) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording i. before 7:00 a.m. or after 9:00 p.m., Monday to Saturday, or ii. before 9:00 a.m. or after 9:00 pm on Sundays and i. before 7:00 a.m. or after 5:00 p.m., Monday to Saturday; or ii. at any time on Sundays and Statutory Holidays.
Other limits	Yard equipment (lawnmowers, chain saws, leaf blowers, etc.) in residential areas: not before 8:00 a.m. or after 9:00 p.m. Loading, unloading or handling containers, products or refuse in residential areas: same hours. Vehicle noise audible beyond 150 m is banned (not buses or trucks). Diesel engines, trucks or buses may not idle over 15 minutes at one place. Animals or birds that persistently cry, bark or howl. Exemptions include emergency vehicles, utility and public works, church bells, and authorized parades or festivities. No decibel limits found.Noise Control Bylaw No. 485, s. 3.2(c), (d), (h), (i), (b); Noise Control Bylaw No. 485, s. 4.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording before 8:00 a.m. or after 9:00 p.m. in any Residential Area. creates or emits a noise that is audible beyond 150 metres in for more than 15 minutes at the same location Harbour or keep any animal or bird which Persistently cries, barks, or howls. Police, fire department, ambulance or other emergency Vehicles when Bells or chimes from religious or public institutions.
Who to call, business hours	District of Sooke Bylaw Services: 250-642-1634 or bylaw@sooke.ca (municipal hall Mon-Fri 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.), or the online Bylaw Concern Reporting Form. Barking or animal noise: CRD Animal Care Services, 250-478-0624, animalservices@crd.bc.ca.Bylaw Education and Enforcement, Learn More; Noise Regulations \| District of Sooke, Animals · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording contact the Bylaw department at 250-642-1634 or bylaw@sooke.ca Bylaw Concern Reporting Form To report an animal-related noise concern, contact CRD Animal Care Services: - Phone: 250-478-0624 - Email: animalservices@crd.bc.ca Exemptions Some types of noise are exempt from the bylaw. Exemptions include noise connected with:
Who to call, after hours	No after-hours noise number is stated. The District says its two Bylaw Enforcement Officers provide 7-day-a-week coverage including evening shifts, and reports go through the online Bylaw Concern Reporting Form. Barking dogs: CRD Animal Care Services, 250-478-0624.Bylaw Education and Enforcement, About Our Team · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Together, this team of two provides 7-day-a-week coverage, including daytime and evening shifts. If you see a bylaw concern, you can report it through our online service portal:
Fine	$200 (municipal ticket) for most noise offences, including noise causing disturbance, amplified noise, animal or bird noise, construction, construction equipment, yard equipment and loading noise (s. 3.1 and 3.2). Obstructing a Bylaw Enforcement Officer: $200.Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 836, Schedule B10 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording 3.1(a) Noise causing disturbance $200.00 3.2(b) Animal or bird noise $200.00 3.2(e) Construction noise causing $200.00
Bylaw	Bylaw No. 485, Noise Control Bylaw, 2011Noise Control Bylaw No. 485, title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Bylaw No. 485, Noise Control Bylaw, 2011

How it works

The Noise Control Bylaw No. 485 says no one may make or allow noise in a highway or public place, or from their property, that disturbs or is likely to disturb the quiet, peace, rest, enjoyment, comfort or convenience of individuals or the public. It sets no fixed quiet hours for ordinary noise. Only amplified sound is time-limited: music or speech equipment audible outside the property between 11:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. is banned if it disturbs others. No decibel limits were found.

Steps

To report ongoing noise:

Use the online Bylaw Concern Reporting Form, or phone Bylaw Services at 250-642-1634 or email bylaw@sooke.ca.
The District asks for a noise log for ongoing noise (template at sooke.ca/noiselog).
For barking or animal noise, contact CRD Animal Care Services at 250-478-0624.

Good to know

Building or excavation work: Monday to Saturday 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.; Sundays and statutory holidays 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Using construction equipment (including chain saws and generators): Monday to Saturday 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; not at all on Sundays and statutory holidays.
Yard equipment (lawnmowers, leaf blowers and so on) in residential areas, and loading or handling containers, products or refuse: not before 8:00 a.m. or after 9:00 p.m.
Vehicle noise audible beyond 150 m is banned (not buses or trucks). Diesel engines, trucks or buses may not idle over 15 minutes at one place. Animals or birds that persistently cry, bark or howl are also covered.
Exemptions include emergency vehicles, utility and public works, church bells, and authorized parades or festivities.
No after-hours noise number is stated. The District says its two Bylaw Enforcement Officers cover 7 days a week, including evening shifts.