Sudbury seeking input on outdated noise bylaws
Many of the laws date back to the pre-amalgamation era, and vary region to region.
The City of Sudbury is updating its noise bylaws.
It's hoping that public input into the process will help streamline the rules governing how officers handle noise complaints.
To do that, the city has posted an online survey asking residents to weigh in on the noise.
Currently, the city has 26 different noise bylaws, dating back to pre-amalgamation days, and some even further.
Darlene Baker, co-ordinator of by-law enforcement with the city, said the current process could be more straightforward.
"[Officers] first have to find out what former municipality the complaint was from, what bylaw and what section of that bylaw is applicable," Baker said, "so definitely it tends to be confusing."
Late night parties are the most common cause for complaints
It's not always an easy task for enforcement officers, especially since they have no way to accurately measure noise.
Barker also thinks establishing some common ground for the laws is necessary.
"Right next door, still in our same Greater city, that [rule] might be different," Barker said, "that's why it's important for us to set one standard for the greater city."
Most complaints concern late-night activities.
"Party sounds. People that have loud parties, Shouting. Dancing, You know, late, late late at night," she said, "that's another very popular one."
Other common complaints include barking dogs, late-night slow plows and early-morning yard work.
The city is also holding public consultation sessions on the noise bylaws.
with files from Marina Von Stackelberg. Edited/packaged by Casey Stranges