Noise complaints and exemptions

Our noise bylaw is in effect 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Please limit excessive noise and be considerate of your neighbours.

Make a complaint

On this page:

  1. Noise bylaw
  2. Construction noise
  3. Noise complaints
  4. Apply for a noise exemption
  5. Approved exemptions

Noise bylaw

Our noise bylaw is in effect 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The bylaw limits excessive noise, including:

  • yelling
  • loud music, radio or TV
  • other unusual noise

City council may grant events exemption from our noise bylaws. Noise exemptions last until 11 p.m. Check the list of approved noise exemptions.

Read our full noise bylaw.

Construction noise

Construction noise is allowed between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. seven days a week.

Noise complaints

To make a noise complaint, call the Waterloo Regional Police Services non-emergency line at 519-585-8088.

Apply for a noise exemption

Apply for an exemption if you're hosting a small private event, such as a barbecue, wedding, or other gathering, that may create excessive noise. This application is for a single event date. Approval does not automatically extend to additional dates or an entire multi-day event. Please allow seven to 10 days for processing. Based on council policy, noise exemptions can be approved until 11 p.m.

For public events selling alcohol or large scale events, please send us an email to apply for a noise exemption through the director of bylaw enforcement.

Approved exemptions

Open the accordions below to find information about approved noise exemptions.

A noise exemption has been granted to 1001405192 Ontario Inc. for filming operations at:

  • 20 Queen Street South (The Walper Hotel) on Thursday, March 26 beginning at 6 p.m. and ending at 12 a.m.
  • 57 Jubilee Drive (Boathouse DTK) on Friday, March 27 beginning at 12 a.m. and ending at 3 a.m.

Wash Worx, to complete the power washing of sidewalks from April 27 to October 2, 2026 between the hours of 10:00pm to 8:00am based on the following tentative schedule:

  • April 27 to May 15: King Street (Francis St to Cedar St), City Hall/Carl Zehr Square, Moloks/Dumpster Bins (Goudies Ln, Lot 9, Market Ln) - Weather Dependent
  • June 22 to July 10: King Street (Francis St to Frederick St), City Hall/Carl Zehr Square, Moloks/Dumpster Bins (Goudies Ln, Lot 9, Market Ln) – Must be completed before July 10
  • August 10 to August 21: King Street (Francis St to Frederick St), City Hall/Carl Zehr Square, Moloks/Dumpster Bins (Goudies Ln, Lot 9, Market Ln) – Must be completed before August 21
  • Sept 21 to Oct 2: King Street (Francis St to Frederick St), City Hall/Carl Zehr Square, Moloks/Dumpster Bins (Goudies Ln, Lot 9, Market Ln) – Must be completed before October 2

Contact Us

City of Kitchener
200 King Street West,
Kitchener, Ontario
N2G 4G7
Telephone: 519-741-2345
TTY: 1-866-969-9994
Email: info@kitchener.ca

Land acknowledgement

The City of Kitchener is situated on the traditional territory of the Chonnonton, Anishinaabeg, and Haudenosaunee Peoples. We recognize our responsibility to act as stewards for the land and honour the original caretakers who came before us. Our community is enriched by the enduring knowledge and deep-rooted traditions of the diverse First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Peoples who live in Kitchener today.