City council’s community and protective services committee approved today changes to the noise bylaw which would see leaseholders and property owners fined for violations and not just their guests.
Under the current bylaw, only those actually making the noise are fined but the proposed bylaw would state, “No person shall cause or permit any unusual noise or noise likely to disturb the inhabitants of the City.”
At a public meeting last month, many residents praised the proposed changes but also felt it still was not enough.
Many wanted to see absentee landlords held responsible for noise as the amendments state only landlords living on the property can be held accountable. There was also a call for stricter enforcement of street noise and more education on the part of universities to prevent students from creating excess noise. These opinions were echoed again today at the committee meeting.
In addition to the bylaw amendments, the committee made a motion to have staff report on making permanent a pilot project that would see bylaw officers work until 3:30 a.m. as opposed to 2:00 a.m. Another motion was for bylaw officials to apply to the province to increase the current fine for noise violations.
The amendments will go before city council on June 13.