Get a noise by-law exception permit

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  How we define construction

  Construction, as defined in the Noise Control By-law includes, but is not limited to, the following activities:

  • Erection, alteration, repair, relocation, dismantling, demolition, and removal of a building
  • Set-up for a special event (for example, construction of a stage)
  • Structural maintenance
  • Land clearing, earth moving, grading, excavating, and the laying of pipe and conduit (whether above or below ground level)
  • Street building
  • Concrete pouring
  • The installation, alteration, or removal of construction equipment, components, and materials in any form or for any purpose

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  How we define a holiday

  The following days are defined as a holiday in the Noise Control By-law:

  Holiday	2025	2026
  New Year’s Day	January 1	January 1
  Family Day	February 17	February 16
  Good Friday	April 18	April 3
  Easter Monday	April 21	April 6
  Victoria Day	May 19	May 18
  Canada Day	July 1	July 1
  BC Day	August 4	August 3
  Labour Day	September 1	September 7
  National Day for Truth and Reconciliation	September 30	September 30
  Thanksgiving	October 13	October 12
  Remembrance Day	November 11	November 11
  Christmas Day	December 25	December 25
  Boxing Day	December 26	December 26

Steps to getting a noise by-law exception permit

Note We recommend that you apply for your permit as early as possible and at least 3 weeks in advance of your requested exemption date.

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  Step 1: Review the eligibility conditions

  A permit may be granted to your construction project if your project satisfies the following conditions:

  • Your proposed activity cannot proceed safely, or it may cause undue hardship if it's restricted to normal construction hours
  • The volume of traffic in the area requires work to be completed outside of regular hours to manage traffic congestion
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  Step 2: Determine if a notification letter is required

  If your project is within a one block radius of residential properties, you must create a residential notification letter.

  Who the notification letter should go to

  City staff 

  You will need to send us a copy of the notification letter with your application.

  Residents

  You may not distribute the notification letter prior to a noise exception permit being issued. 

  You must deliver the notification letter:

  • To every residence within a one block radius of your project site if the application is approved
  • 48 hours before any work (during exempt hours) begins

  Non-residential properties

  We encourage you to deliver copies of the notification letter to non-residential (for example, commercial or industrial) properties within the one block radius to ensure all your neighbours are aware of the upcoming work. 

  What the notification letter should include

  Your letter should be printed on your company letterhead and must include:

  • Time, date, and location of the proposed work
  • What type of work will be done
  • A specific contact name and number from your company (for residents to contact if they have questions)

  Example letter PDF file  (45 KB)

  Example map of a one block radius for an application received at 1221 Bidwell Street.

  

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  Step 3: Determine if you need a traffic management plan and submit plan

  A traffic management plan is required whenever work impacts a street with painted lines, a bike facility (for example, painted bike lanes or protected bike lanes on the roadway and off-street bikeways), or a sidewalk. The plan must be approved before a noise by-law exception permit will be issued.

  We require five business days to process and make a decision on a traffic management plan application.

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  Step 4: Submit your application and pay fee

  A. Fill out the application form

  Download and complete the application form PDF file (398 KB)

    Please set up an account prior to applying. The email used should be included in the application form. If you don't already have an online account with us, please set one up using our instructional guide PDF file (723 KB).

    If you need to extend your noise by-law exception permit, you must reapply for a new one and pay an additional application fee.

  B. Submit your application

  Submit your application no later than five business days before the date of your proposed activity to qualify for the reduced application fee and ensure we have sufficient time to process your application in time.

  If you do experience an emergency or other unforeseen circumstance, you can submit your application less than five business days before the date of the proposed activity. However, you will be required to pay an increased application fee, and there is no guarantee that your application will be reviewed within the reduced timeline.

  You can submit your application by e-mail to noiseexception@vancouver.ca.

  C. Pay fees

  Shortly after we receive your application, we will email you a link so you can pay your fees online.

  When we receive your application	Permit fee
  5 business days or more before your proposed activity	$244 for each application
  4 business days or less before your proposed activity	$484 for each application

    Noise exception by-law permit fees are non-refundable and are required before an application will be reviewed.

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  Step 5: Application reviewed and a decision is made

  How the application will be reviewed

  All applications will be assessed using the following criteria:

  • The reason a variance is needed
  • Length of time the noise will be occurring
  • How many people the noise will impact
  • Whether the public health, safety, or welfare is negatively impacted
  • Whether the noise impact outweighs the benefit to the public
  • Any relevant noise complaints on record
  • Steps taken to mitigate the noise
  • If the resident notification letter can be delivered 48 hours before work begins

  If your application is approved

  If your application is approved, we will send you a permit that indicates when you can:

  • Proceed with issuing your notification letter
  • Do the work

  If your application is denied

  If your application is denied and you proceed with working outside of permitted construction hours, you may face fines, revocation of all future exceptions, refusal of future permit applications, and/or a stop work order being issued.

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