Excessive Noise

The act of making, causing, producing or permitting excessive noise that disturbs the quiet, peace, rest, enjoyment or comfort of the neighbourhood is considered to be a nuisance in the Town of Hampstead, according to By-law 795 Concerning Nuisances (and its amendments).

Some of the provisions of this by-law are listed below.

Noise Restriction Hours
It is forbidden to engage in construction work of any nature whatsoever that has the effect of emitting noise outdoors at the following times:
  • Before 7:00 am and after 7:00 pm, Monday to Friday inclusively;
  • Before 9:00 am and after 6:00 pm on Saturdays and Sundays;
  • On holidays when most residents are not working. These days are listed in Annex 1-B of Bylaw 795, available by clicking here.
It is forbidden to use gas powered landscaping equipment - such as leaf blowers with gas powered motors (not including snow blowers and motor vehicles with mufflers) - at the following times:
  • Before 7:00 am and after 9:00 pm, Monday to Friday inclusively;
  • Before 9:00 am and after 6:00 pm on Saturdays and Sundays;
  • On holidays when most residents are not working. These days are listed in Annex 1-B of Bylaw 795, available by clicking here.
No person shall operate, or cause to be operated, any power equipment at the following times:
  • From 9:00 pm of one day to 7:00 am of the next day.
Any noise produced by a heat pump, heating equipment, air conditioner, ventilation equipment, swimming pool filtration equipment, or similar apparatus which exceeds 55 db(A) at any point outside of the property line of the lot where such equipment or apparatus is installed.
  • Enforceable at all times
No person shall operate, or cause to be operated, any sound reproduction device in a manner which disturbs the peace and quiet of the neighbourhood at the following times:
  • From Monday to Friday between the hours of 11:00 pm of one day and 7:00 am of the next day
  • Before 9:00 am on weekends.
No person shall operate, or cause to be operated, any sound reproduction device on any street or other public place in a manner that disturbs the peace and quiet of persons on said street or public place.
  • Enforceable at all times
Except in the case where prior written permission has been given by the Town, shows or musical works, instrumental or vocal, inside or outside a building, including those coming from a sound reproduction device or live artist, it is forbidden to emit, or permit or allow the emission of noise higher than a decibel reading of 85 db (A), from a distance of 8 feet.
  • Enforceable at all times
No person shall deliver any construction materials or merchandise from a vehicle to the owner or tenant of any property at the following times:
  • From 9:00 pm of one day to 7:00 am of the next day.
No person shall load or unload a transport vehicle at the following times:
  • From 9:00 pm of one day to 7:00 am of the next day.

These regulations are enforced by Hampstead's Public Security department. Violators of these regulations are liable to a fine. In the case of a first offence, this fine shall not be less than $150 (plus costs). In the case of a second or subsequent offence, thefine shall not be less than $300 (plus costs).

Any legal entity that violates these regulations is liable to a fine of between $300 and $1,000 for a first offence (plus costs), and a fine of between $600 and $2,000 for each subsequent offence.