City living inevitably brings residents in close contact with their neighbours. This means that everyone has to respect the rights of others to tranquility. On July 10, 2003, in the interest of maintaining public peace, well-being, comfort or tranquility or the neqighbourhood's peace and quiet, Gatineau's Municipal Council adopted by-law 44-2003 on respecting noise in the territory of the city of Gatineau.

Power tools

• It is prohibited to use a chainsaw, lawnmower, snowblower, power tool or any similar tool between 11 p.m. and the following 7 a.m.
• It is prohibited to use, operate or run a machine, vehicle, power tool or any equipment between 11 p.m. and the following 7 a.m.

Sound system

• It is prohibited to use a sound system if it can be heard outside the building in which it is located.
• It is prohibited to use a vehicle on or in which there is a sound system that can be heard outside the vehicle.

Loading

• It is prohibited to load or unload merchandise, materials or anything at a house, business or property between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.

Body work and repairs

• It is prohibited to do any body work or repairs, or to use a compressor, sander, percussion tool or other similarly noisy machine between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. the following morning.

Pumps, compressors and motors

• It is prohibited to operate a pool filter, fan, air conditioner, heat pump, generator or any other type of pump, compressor, motor or residential, commercial or industrial machinery that emits more than 60 dBA in the daytime and 55 dBA at night in a residential area.
• In the case of engines, air conditioners and compressors that are not running continuously, the noise levels referred to in the previous paragraph are 65 dBA in the daytime and 60 dBA at night.
• The use of motor brakes is prohibited throughout Gatineau.

Public announcements

• It is prohibited to market or advertise in the streets by calling out, shouting, ringing a bell or in any way disturbing the public peace, well-being, comfort or tranquility or the neighbourhood's peace and quiet.

Work

• Given the noise irritant (sirens, shock waves, repetitive impact, etc.) they cause, construction, renovation or demolition work within 150 metres of a building used for residential purposes is prohibited at any time other than Mondays to Saturdays between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m., except in the case of emergency work on public infrastructures or work that has been expressly authorized by the Executive Committee.

Control and infractions

Any person who violates any of the provisions of the by-law is guilty of a violation and subject to:

• a minimum fine of $200 for a first violation and a minimum fine of $400 for a repeat offence if the offender is a physical person; and
• a minimum fine of $500 for a first violation and a minimum fine of $1,000 for a repeat offence if the offender is a legal entity.

Information

For additional information about by-law 44-2003 on respecting noise in the territory of the city of Gatineau, call 311.

The information on this page is a summary. It does not replace the terms and conditions or provisions of by-law 44-2003 on respecting noise in the territory of the city of Gatineau.