Having a party or an event? It could be a violation of Ottawa's Noise By-law (No. 2017-255) to make loud noises or emit reproduction sounds that disturb your neighbours:
This includes:
- Loud music
- Musical instruments
- Radios
- Televisions
- Stereos
- Computers
- Shouting
During the daytime, between 7 am and 11 pm, any noise must be kept below the decibel limits set in the Noise By-law (No. 2017-255). Overnight, between 11 pm and 7 am, any noise that disturbs someone may be considered a violation.
Report a loud noise complaint.
An Ottawa By-law officer will be in touch to help you with your complaint.
Please refer to the City of Ottawa's Ottawa Noise By-law (No. 2017-255) for more information.
A constantly barking dog can be loud and can disturb you or your neighbours. It could also be a violation of Ottawa's Animal Care and Control By-law (No. 2003-77).
Pet owners must prevent their pet from constant barking or causing other noise that disturbs people and the neighbourhood.
Report a noise complaint about barking dogs.
An Ottawa by-law officer will be in touch to help you with your complaint.
Please refer to the Ottawa's Animal Care and Control By-law (No. 2003-77) for more information.
Construction
As per the City of Ottawa's Noise By-law (No. 2017-255); it is a violation for construction sites or heavy equipment to operate in any structure, highway or building:
- Monday to Saturday: before 7 am and after 10 pm
- Sunday and statutory holidays: before 9 am and after 10 pm
Limits are also placed on the demolition and construction of buildings in established residential neighbourhoods. Infill construction is not permitted:
- Monday to Saturday: before 7 am and after 8 pm
- Sunday and statutory holidays: before 9 am and after 10 pm
Report a noise complaint about construction sites or machinery.
An Ottawa By-law officer will be in touch to help you with your complaint. Note: The Director of By-law Services may grant an exemption for construction work.
Equipment in your neighbourhood that cannot be operated too loudly include:
- Chainsaws
- Power lawn mowers
- Leaf blowers
- Power tools
- Air conditioners
- Compressors
- Exhaust systems
- Filtration systems
- Other noisy power tools
This type of power equipment should not be operated:
- Monday to Friday: before 7 am and after 9 pm
- Saturday, Sunday and statutory holidays: before 9 am and after 9 pm
Report a machine that’s too noisy in your neighbourhood.
In all cases an Ottawa By-law officer will be in touch to help you with your complaint.
Please refer to the City of Ottawa’s Noise By-law (No. 2017-255) for more information.
If you hear a house alarm or are concerned about someone’s safety, call 911.
If a car alarm in your neighbourhood sounds for more than five minutes, it could be a violation of Ottawa’s Noise By-Law 2017-255.
Snow removal and vehicle back up alarms are not considered car alarms.
Note: When you report a noise complaint about a car alarm, you will need to provide the car’s license plate number.
Report a noise complaint about car alarms.
An Ottawa by-law officer will be in touch to help you with your complaint.
Please refer to the Ottawa Noise By-law for more information
Garbage vehicles
It is a violation of Ottawa’s Noise By-law 2017-255 to operate garbage collection vehicles or heavy delivery vehicles:
- Weekdays: Between 11 pm and 7 am
- Sundays and holidays: Between 11 pm and 9 am
City waste collection and waste collection in the downtown area as illustrated in Schedule B of the Noise By-law are exempted.
Report a noise complaint about garbage collection.
An Ottawa by-law officer with be in touch to help with your complaint.
Please refer to the Ottawa Noise By-law for more information.
Delivery vehicles
It is a violation of Ottawa’s Noise By-law 2017-255 to operate heavy delivery vehicles:
- Between 11 pm and 7 am
Deliveries in the downtown area illustrated in Schedule B of the Noise By-law are exempted.
Report a noise complaint about delivery vehicles.
An Ottawa by-law officer with be in touch to help with your complaint.
Please refer to the Ottawa Noise By-law for more information.
The City of Ottawa has no jurisdiction over aircraft noise. Please contact the Ottawa International Airport 24-hour noise complaint service at 613-248-2023.
The Fireworks By-law (By-law No. 2003-237) regulates the sale and use of fireworks within the City.
- Individuals can only discharge their fireworks on private property on Victoria Day and Canada Day and the day before and after those days.
- Firecrackers may not be sold or discharged at anytime. A firecracker is a pyrotechnic device that explodes when ignited and does not make any subsequent display or visible effect after the explosion.
Snow Removal and Snow Clearing
Snow Removal and Snow Clearing are exempt from the Noise By-law # 2017-255. The provisions of this by-law shall not apply to snow clearing or snow removal activities. This includes plowing, salting, and removing snow banks.
This means that snow removal/clearing may take place 24/7 on private or public property by residents or contractors.