County advances updated noise bylaw framework following public feedback

Casandra Turnbull

Managing Editor

A proposed update to the County of Brant's Noise Control Bylaw is one step closer to adoption after an engagement summary outlining public feedback was received as a consent item by the Administration and Operations Committee on July 21.

The report, which will now move to council for approval, summarizes feedback collected during a month-long public engagement campaign held in May. The findings will help guide council's consideration of revisions to the bylaw, which is expected to adopt a hybrid approach combining qualitative assessments of unreasonable noise with quantitative decibel limits for recurring issues such as amplified sound and certain residential equipment. 

According to the report, participants were not calling for either significantly stricter regulations or unrestricted flexibility. Instead, staff found there was broad support for a practical approach that protects residents from recurring disturbances while recognizing that some noise is a normal part of community life. 

The County received 234 survey responses during the engagement, including 210 from residents, four from business owners and 12 from individuals who identified as both residents and business owners. Eight responses from individuals outside the County of Brant were excluded from the analysis. 

Among residents, noise was identified as a meaningful community issue. Nearly 44 per cent reported experiencing disruptive noise daily, while another 18.6 per cent experienced it weekly. Loud music (32.2 per cent), barking dogs (31.7 per cent), construction activity (21 per cent) and fireworks (17.1 per cent) ranked among the most common sources of concern. 

While most respondents were aware of the current bylaw, many indicated they wanted clearer information about what types of noise are regulated, how complaints are investigated, how enforcement decisions are made and who residents should contact when issues arise. 

The survey also highlighted concerns about enforcement. Although many respondents reported experiencing disruptive noise regularly, only 31.9 per cent had ever filed a complaint with the County. Of those who had, 56.7 per cent said they were not satisfied with the response they received. 

Residents generally supported the County's proposed hybrid approach. Nearly 80 per cent agreed that general noise disturbances should be assessed based on how likely they are to disturb others, while 61.4 per cent supported introducing decibel limits for recurring noise issues. When asked how those recurring issues should be regulated, 42.6 per cent favoured a combination of decibel limits and qualitative standards, while another 22 per cent preferred decibel limits alone. 

The report found strong support for preserving community events despite concerns about noise.

More than two-thirds (67.6 per cent) supported festivals, concerts and cultural activities that include amplified sound, with many respondents distinguishing between occasional event-related noise and ongoing disturbances. Comments suggested impacts from events could be managed through reasonable limits, advance notice and thoughtful planning. 

Open-ended responses reflected that balance.

One resident wrote, "It should be a legitimate complaint. A dog barking for 8 hours continuously is different than a dog barking for 15 minutes."

Others emphasized the importance of preserving local events, with one respondent writing, "Such festivals like Applefest, are vital for a community," while another added, "Socially, we need music and festivals. Community events usually bring joy to a community. We must not discourage people from coming together." 

Business owners, meanwhile, focused less on enforcement and more on maintaining flexibility for operations and community events.

Among business-only respondents, 75 per cent indicated their operations generate noise that could be affected by the bylaw. However, business respondents generally viewed noise as less significant than residents did, with 75 per cent reporting disruptive noise only rarely and saying it does not negatively affect their day-to-day operations. 

The engagement report concludes that while residents and businesses approached the issue from different perspectives, both groups agreed future bylaw revisions should be clear, fair, practical and consistently enforced.The findings will now be considered by council as it reviews potential updates to the County of Brant's Noise Control Bylaw.