City proposes changes to noise bylaw
Posted Apr 17, 2012 07:19:58 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
OTTAWA – The City is proposing changes to its noise bylaw which could see tenants and landlords slapped with a fine if the noise bylaw is broken. The Ottawa Citizen reports that under the current regulations, bylaw officers issue fines to individuals who they suspect are being noisy and not anyone else.
The city thinks making changes to the regulations could result in a quieter city, a more effective way of responding to complaints, and an easier way of keeping track of those who continuously break the noise bylaw.
The neighbourhood of Sandy Hill is responsible for thousands of noise complaints per year, and Coun. Mathieu Fleury whose ward incorporates Sandy Hill, said it is hard for bylaw officers to determine the exact individuals causing the noise violations. He added that issuing a fine to the landlord or leaseholder would make that person responsible for the whole group and could lessen the frequency of loud parties.
Moreover, the new changes would allow bylaw officers to respond to the party, determine if it violated the noise bylaw, and return the next day with the fine.
Fines for being noisy can range from $305 to $5000 and can be caused from loud music, ringing bells, blowing horns, to loud yelling which disturbs the neighbourhood.
A public meeting will be held on Apr. 24, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in council chambers at City Hall to determine if changes to the legislation will be made.
