City council approved amendments to the Community Standards Bylaw meant to crack down on noisy vehicles.
New limitations restrict vehicle noise to 92 decibels while at idle and 96 decibels while above idle.
By setting acceptable noise level limits, community peace officers are better able to enforce the bylaw, city staff told council.
If someone complains about a neighbour’s vehicle, peace officers can test the sound with a decibel meter instead of relying on a judgment call.
Three options for addressing residential noise concerns were presented to council. The selected option retains the status quo and does not specify which period of the day specific noises or noise levels can occur. This option allows various city and RCMP employees to follow-up on noise complaints, where other options would require response from either municipal police officers or RCMP officers and may be more difficult to enforce.
The Community Standards Bylaw, originally adopted in 2007, was developed as a means of regulating certain activities, including noise, nuisances, unsightly premises, and public disturbances. It has proven successful over the years in improving the aesthetics of the community, says the city.
The proposed amendments are a result of public participation, operational needs and previous direction received from Council.
An amendment involving livestock is intended to fill a gap until a full animal bylaw can be approved by council, anticipated by the end of 2022.
“There is a need to address this specific category now, to help manage the ever-increasing volume of inquiries for residential livestock,” says the city.
“The amendment recommends no livestock to be allowed on a residential site and sets out a penalty for those in breach of the bylaw. This aligns with what the city heard during previous public engagement on keeping animals within our city.