Noise Complaints & Nuisance Neighbours in Ontario

Municipal Noise Bylaws

Every Ontario municipality has a noise bylaw that restricts loud activity during specific hours. Common restrictions include:

Call your local municipality's bylaw enforcement line (not 911, unless there's a safety risk). Officers can issue a Notice of Violation and fines. Keep a log of incidents with dates and times to support your complaint.

Tenants: LTB Remedies for Noise

If you are a tenant and the noise is coming from another unit in the same building, you have rights under the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA):

• Complain to your landlord in writing. The landlord has an obligation to maintain reasonable enjoyment of the premises. Send a written complaint and keep a copy.
• T2 Application (Rights Interference): If the landlord ignores the problem, file a T2 Application at the LTB. You can claim a rent abatement and an order requiring the landlord to address the issue.
• T3 Application (Rent Reduction): If a service or facility has been substantially impaired (e.g., noise from ongoing construction reducing quiet enjoyment), apply for a rent reduction.

Noisy Neighbour is Also a Tenant?

If the noisy party is a fellow tenant, your landlord can serve the noisy tenant an N5 Notice to Terminate for interfering with reasonable enjoyment. If the behaviour continues, the landlord can apply to the LTB to evict the noisy tenant.

If the landlord refuses to act, your T2 application holds the landlord responsible — not the individual tenant.

Homeowners: Civil Nuisance Claims

If you own your home and a neighbour's noise or activity substantially interferes with your enjoyment of your property, you may have a claim in private nuisance under common law. To succeed:

• The interference must be unreasonable and substantial — not just a minor annoyance
• The noise or activity must be recurring, not a one-time event
• You must show actual harm: loss of sleep, inability to use your outdoor space, health impact

Remedies include a court injunction (stopping the behaviour) and damages. For claims under $35,000, Small Claims Court is the most affordable route.

Condominium Noise Issues

In a condo, the Condominium Act and the corporation's Rules and Declaration govern noise. File a complaint with the condo board in writing. If the board fails to act, you can escalate to the Condominium Authority Tribunal (CAT), which handles noise and nuisance disputes between owners and corporations online.