Mowing your lawn at 6 a.m. could soon be against the rules.
Collingwood is updating its noise control bylaw to include a schedule for acceptable times to use property maintenance and construction equipment.
Staff were also instructed by council to look into noise control on private property especially related to outdoor speakers.
According to the staff report that accompanied the draft noise bylaw, the bylaw department receives regular calls inquiring about time restrictions on certain activities such as construction. Currently, there is no time restrictions on construction activities.
The current noise bylaw was adopted in 1987.
In 2017, the bylaw enforcement department responded to 39 noise complaints. The Collingwood OPP received 172 noise complaints in the same year. These complaints exclude reports of dogs barking, which are handled under the town’s Responsible Pet Ownership bylaw.
The draft bylaw proposes time restrictions for construction activity and on property owners using maintenance tools such as lawn mowers and leaf blowers.
“Consideration was also given to the leisure and tourism focus of the area and greater restrictions were recommended on weekends and holidays,” states the staff report.
The proposed prohibitions by time schedule is as follows:
Construction activities where construction equipment (air compressors, hydraulic tools, bulldozers, excavators, loaders, pavers, and etc.) is not being used are prohibited except between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday to Friday and between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.
Construction activity where construction equipment is being used is prohibited except between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday to Friday and between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Saturdays. This type of activity will not be permitted on holidays.
Usage of property maintenance tools (includes powered or non-powered tools, lawn mowers, hedge trimmers, whipper-snippers, leaf blowers, chain saws, power washers and power assisted sweepers and vacuums) is prohibited except between the hours of 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. on any day including weekends and holidays.
Operation of speakers and other sound amplification equipment outdoors, including at events will only be permitted between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. Sunday to Thursday, and between 8 a.m. and 11 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and holidays.
The proposed bylaw also includes restrictions on discharging a firearm at a shooting facility. It will only be allowed Monday and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m to 7 p.m. and on Sundays or holidays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Snow removal is exempt from the noise control bylaw and proposed schedule, as are town events, operations, services and activities.
Normal farm practice is also exempt due to existing legislation in the Farming and Food Production Protection Act.
Town staff is hosting a public open house March 21 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. to receive feedback on the draft bylaw and report back to council following the public session. The information contained in the draft bylaw has not yet been approved by council.
