Noise & nuisance across Nova Scotia
What are the quiet hours? What noise is allowed?
38 of 49 municipalities in Nova Scotia have an adopted bylaw on noise & nuisance on file. Each row links the municipality's answer page and, where transcribed, the full text of the document.
| Municipality | Adopted document | Key facts | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annapolis County municipality |
Bylaw 8 — Noise | quiet hours: Prohibited on week days and Saturdays before 7:00 a.m. or after 11:00 p.m.; on a Sunday or Holiday before 9:00 a.m. and after 11:00 p.m. · exemptions: Emergency services, government duties, organized holidays/events, agriculture, forestry, fishing, construction with permit, off-highway vehicles. · fines: $200.00-$1,000 | 2026-09-27 |
| Annapolis Royal Town |
Orderly and Peaceful Conduct By-law (noise/nuisance) | quiet hours: 11:00pm to 7:00am (9:00 a.m. on Sundays/Statutory Holidays): 55dBA at point of reception · exemptions: Emergency measures; Canada Day/Natal Day/New Year's/religious holidays; church bells; HVAC; generators during outages; park/parade activities until 11pm · fines: $200-$1,000 or up to 30 days imprisonment | 2026-09-27 |
| Antigonish County municipality |
A By-Law Respecting the Control of Noise | quiet hours: 70 dBA or more prohibited before 7:00 am or after 10:00 pm; 90 dBA or more at any time · construction hours: Construction prohibited Mon-Fri before 7:00am/after 9:30pm; Sat before 8:00am/after 7:00pm; Sun/Holidays before 9:00am/after 7:00pm · exemptions: Emergency response personnel; Canada Day/New Year's/religious activities; church bells; municipal/utility work 7am-10pm; park/recreation activities 5am-midnight | 2026-09-27 |
| Antigonish Town |
Noise Control By-Law
+1 more |
quiet hours: 7:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.: 65 dBA; 10:00 p.m.-7:00 a.m.: 55 dBA · construction hours: Construction noise permitted between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. for which a Building Permit has been issued · exemptions: Town/Province/Canada/utility employees; snow removal; athletic/recreation/school activities 7am-11pm; religious activities 7am-11pm; Highland Games and Exhibition 8am-2am; Frosh Week 8am-11pm | 2026-09-27 |
| Argyle District municipality |
By-Law #9A: Noise | construction hours: Construction prohibited Mon-Fri before 7:00am/after 9:00pm; Sat & Sun before 8:00am/after 9:00pm; Statutory Holiday/Remembrance Day before 9:00am/after 9:00pm · exemptions: Emergency response personnel; festive/religious activities; church bells; municipal/utility work 7am-9pm; park/recreation activities 7am-11pm; designated off-highway vehicle sites; generators during outages · fines: Not less than $200 and not more than $2,000 and up to 7 days imprisonment in default | 2026-09-27 |
| Barrington District municipality |
By-Law No. 09 — Noise By-Law | quiet hours: Daytime 7:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.: exceeding 75 dBA; night-time 10:00 p.m.-7:00 a.m.: exceeding 65 dBA (may be considered) · construction hours: Construction prohibited Mon-Fri before 7:00am/after 10:00pm; Sat before 8:00am/after 10:00pm; Sun/Holiday/Remembrance Day before 9:00am/after 10:00pm · exemptions: Emergency response personnel; festive/religious activities; church bells; municipal/utility work 7am-10pm; park/recreation activities 8am-midnight; designated recreational vehicle/boat sites | 2026-09-27 |
| Berwick Town |
Motor Vehicle Bylaw (No. 90) | fines: Not less than $25.00 and not more than $100.00 and up to 10 days imprisonment in default | 2026-09-27 |
| Cape Breton Regional municipality |
Noise By-law No. N-100 | quiet hours: Weekdays after 9:30 p.m. until 7:00 a.m.; Sat after 7:00 p.m. until 8:00 a.m.; Sun/holidays after 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 a.m. (Schedule A Time A) · construction hours: Construction equipment use prohibited 12:00 a.m.-6:00 a.m. (Time C); domestic power tools per Time A (weekdays 7:00 a.m.-9:30 p.m.) · exemptions: Emergency measures; municipal festivals/parades until 1:00 a.m.; bells/calls to worship; permitted pit/quarry activities; municipal equipment | 2026-09-27 |
| Clare District municipality |
By-Law No. 9 — Noise | quiet hours: Schedule A Part 2 activities prohibited before 7:00 a.m. and after 11:00 p.m. if audible at a point of reception · construction hours: Construction and operation of construction equipment prohibited before 7:00 a.m. and after 11:00 p.m. (Schedule A Part 2) · exemptions: Emergency response; traditional/festive/religious activities; calls to worship; municipality/utility work 7am-9pm; organized park recreation 7am-11pm; off-highway vehicles at designated sites; generators during outages | 2026-09-27 |
| Colchester County municipality |
Neighbourhood Nuisance By-law — Chapter 2
adopted 2024-05-30 |
construction hours: Heavy-equipment construction within 150m of a dwelling prohibited outside: Weekdays 7:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.; Saturday 8:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.; Sunday and holidays 9:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. (unless CAO exemption) · exemptions: Emergency response/vehicles; businesses operating lawfully and appropriately; lawful recreation; community events · fines: First offence $300-$10,000; second $700-$10,000; third or subsequent $1,000-$10,000 (or imprisonment up to 1 year) | 2026-09-27 |
| Cumberland County municipality |
By-Law to Amend the Noise By-Law 23-01
+1 more adopted 2023-05-24 |
exemptions: Replaces s. 6(3): noise caused by the Municipality, Government of Canada, Province of Nova Scotia, Nova Scotia Power Inc., and telecommunication companies and their contractors/employees acting in the reasonable execution of their duties · quiet hours: Schedule A Part 4 activities (power tools for domestic purposes, chainsaws, yelling/shouting/screaming) prohibited before 6:00 a.m. and after 10:00 p.m.; fireworks prohibited before 6:00 p.m. and after Midnight (Part 3) · exemptions: Emergency response; essential-services repair; festive/religious activities (Canada Day, New Year's Eve, religious holidays); calls to worship; municipality/utility work; lawful commercial/forestry/fishing/agriculture/permitted construction; organized park recreation (except 1am-6am); sanctioned community events | 2026-09-27 |
| Digby District municipality |
Orderly and Peaceful Conduct Bylaw (Noise Bylaw) | quiet hours: in excess of 55 dBA before 7:00 am or after 10:00 pm; 65 dBA at other times · construction hours: Mon-Fri before 7:00 a.m./after 10:00 p.m.; Sat before 8:00 a.m./after 10:00 p.m.; Sun, Statutory Holiday or Remembrance Day before 9:00 a.m./after 9:00 p.m. · exemptions: emergency measures; Canada Day, New Year's Eve, Natal Day, religious holidays; bells at worship/schools; municipal utility work | 2026-09-27 |
| Digby Town |
The Noise By-Law No. 2014-01
adopted 2014-07-07 |
quiet hours: in excess of 55 dBA before 7:00 a.m. or after 11:00 p.m.; 65 dBA at other times · construction hours: Mon-Fri before 7:00 a.m./after 11:00 p.m.; Sat before 8:00 a.m./after 11:00 p.m.; Sun, Statutory Holiday or Remembrance Day before 9:00 a.m./after 9:00 p.m. · exemptions: emergency response personnel; Canada Day, New Year's Eve, religious holidays; calls to worship; municipal/utility work 7:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m. | 2026-09-27 |
| East Hants District municipality |
Community Standards Bylaw P-100 (amended by P-100-1)
adopted 2021-03-24 |
quiet hours: Nighttime: from 9:30 P.M. (Weekday) or 8:30 P.M. (Weekend/Holiday/Remembrance Day) to 7:00 A.M. (Weekday) or 9:00 A.M. (Weekend/Holiday/Remembrance Day) · construction hours: Construction prohibited during Nighttime; permitted during Daytime in Residential Developments (Daytime 7:00 A.M.-9:30 P.M. weekday, 9:00 A.M.-8:30 P.M. weekend) · exemptions: agricultural practices; emergency vehicles; street/utility work; activities authorized by Canada/NS; activity on a water body; reasonable commercial noise on properly zoned property | 2026-09-27 |
| Guysborough District municipality |
Noise Control By-Law #16
adopted 2011-10-26 |
quiet hours: 11:00 pm - 6:00 am · construction hours: 7:00 am and 9:00 pm · exemptions: Employees, snow removal, sports, religious, parades, emergency services, agricultural activities, vehicle noise. | 2026-09-27 |
| Halifax Regional municipality |
By-law N-200 Respecting Noise
adopted 1999-09-14 |
quiet hours: For activities assigned Schedule A Time A, restrictions are weekdays before 7 a.m. and after 9:30 p.m.; Saturdays before 8 a.m. and after 7 p.m.; and Sundays, statutory or civic holidays and Remembrance Day before 9 a.m. and after 7 p.m. This is not the schedule for every type of noise. · daytime noise: No. Section 3 prohibits activities that unreasonably disturb or tend to disturb the peace and tranquillity of a neighbourhood, without restricting that general prohibition to nighttime. · construction hours: The residential construction schedule (Time E) restricts work before 7 a.m. or after 8 p.m. weekdays, before 8 a.m. or after 7 p.m. Saturdays, and before 9 a.m. or after 7 p.m. Sundays and listed holidays. Rock breaking uses Time F: weekdays 8 a.m.–6 p.m. only. Concrete pouring and finishing use the separate Time G schedule. Approved exemptions may change these limits. | 2026-09-27 |
| Inverness County municipality |
By-Law 41 — Noise Control
adopted 1997-02-10 |
quiet hours: A general nightly quiet-hours range is not established in the captured bylaw. Section 3 instead requires a licence for covered amplified sound audible on a street or in another dwelling. The Clerk may license operation between 9 a.m. and 1 a.m. the next day and impose additional restrictions. · daytime noise: Daytime is not automatically unrestricted. The amplified-sound licensing provisions apply, and section 5 addresses unnecessary vehicle noise without specifying a time window. · exemptions: Section 6 identifies on-duty police, fire and municipal personnel, work for the municipality, specified bells and warning devices, and certain community or licensed events. The event exception is limited to the clauses identified in that section. | 2026-09-27 |
| Kentville Town |
Bylaw 201 — Noise
adopted 2025-11-24 |
quiet hours: 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. (no activity likely to generate noise unreasonably disturbing peace) · exemptions: emergency response/search & rescue; traditional, festive or religious activity; calls to worship; organized athletic/recreational activities; Town/Province/utility work; refrigeration trucks on commercial/industrial land; industrial operations · fines: not less than $500 and not more than $2,000; $500 payment in lieu | 2026-09-27 |
| Kings County municipality |
By-law 84 — Noise Control | quiet hours: Residential 45 dBA 7:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. / 55 dBA 10:00 p.m.-7:00 a.m.; Commercial/Institutional 65 dBA day / 55 dBA night · construction hours: Construction activities permitted between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. where a Building Permit has been issued · exemptions: municipal/government/NS Power/Maritime Tel employees on duty; emergency measures; agricultural activities by a farm operation; snow removal for health facilities; athletic/recreational/religious/community activities 7 a.m.-11 p.m. | 2026-09-27 |
| Lockeport Town |
Prevention of Disorder By-Law
+1 more |
fines: not exceeding one hundred dollars or imprisonment for two months · fines: not less than [garbled] and not more than $100.00 | 2026-09-27 |
| Lunenburg District municipality |
By-law No. 050 — Neighbourhood Nuisance By-law
adopted 2025-05-21 |
exemptions: Emergency response; forestry, secondary wood processing, agricultural operations, normal farm practices; lawful businesses, recreation, community events · fines: $300 first / $700 second / $1000 third+ | 2026-09-27 |
| Lunenburg Town |
Noise By-law No. 1155
adopted 2025-06-24 |
quiet hours: Quiet Hours 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.; Permitted Hours 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. · construction hours: Construction/registered business operations permitted 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. · exemptions: Emergency services; religious/festive activities; government/utility ops; community events; pedestrian signals; garbage collection 6am-10pm; waterfront ops; emergency generators | 2026-09-27 |
| Mahone Bay Town |
Noise By-law
adopted 2024-07-17 |
quiet hours: 70 dBA permitted 7:00am-10:00pm; 55 dBA 10:00pm-7:00am (measured at 15.25m) · exemptions: Emergency response personnel/vehicles; festive/religious activities; Town/utility/government work; athletic/recreational events; community festivals; pedestrian signals; garbage trucks; transport trucks; electric tools · fines: not less than $250 and not more than $1,000 per day | 2026-09-27 |
| Middleton Town |
Noise By-Law (No. 209)
adopted 2023-12-18 |
quiet hours: Greater than 70 dBA prohibited before 7:00am or after 11:00pm; greater than 90 dBA at other times · exemptions: Emergency response personnel/vehicles; Town/government/utility employees 7am-10pm; organized athletic/recreational/festival activities; pedestrian signals; religious worship; traditional/festive celebrations · fines: Fine(s) as defined in the Fees and Fines Policy | 2026-09-27 |
| New Glasgow Town |
Noise Bylaw | quiet hours: Daytime 07:00-22:00; Schedule A Part 2 quiet periods e.g. weekdays before 7:00 a.m. and after 9:30 p.m. · construction hours: Construction exempt between 07:00 and 20:00 with a building permit · exemptions: Town/Province/Canada/NS Power/utility employees; snow removal; emergency personnel; daytime athletic/religious activities; permitted parades/festivals | 2026-09-27 |
| Oxford Town |
Noise By-Law | quiet hours: Sound measurable in excess of 70 dBA before 7:00 a.m. or after 10:00 p.m.; 90 dBA at other times · exemptions: Emergency response personnel; Municipality/Canada/NS/NS Power/telecom; organized athletic/recreational activities 5:00 a.m.-midnight; religious calls to worship; festivals/parades | 2026-09-27 |
| Pictou Town |
Noise Control By-Law
adopted 2013-06-05 |
quiet hours: Daytime 07:00-22:00; sound limit 65 dBA daytime and 55 dBA nighttime measured at 100 feet · construction hours: Construction exempt between 07:00 and 20:00 with a building permit · exemptions: Town/Province/Canada/NS Power/utility employees; snow removal; emergency personnel; daytime athletic/religious activities; agricultural farm activities; federally regulated transportation | 2026-09-27 |
| Port Hawkesbury Town |
Noise Control By-Law | quiet hours: 65 dBA between 7:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.; 55 dBA between 10:00 p.m.-7:00 a.m. · construction hours: Construction exempt between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. for which a building permit has been issued · exemptions: Town/Canada/NS/NS Power/railway/telecom employees; snow removal; athletic/recreational/school activities 7 a.m.-11 p.m.; religious activities 7 a.m.-11 p.m.; emergency services; agricultural activities | 2026-09-27 |
| Queens Regional municipality |
By-law No. 7 - Prohibiting Certain Noises
adopted 2022-01-25 |
quiet hours: 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. (no noise unreasonably disturbing peace and tranquility of a neighbourhood) · exemptions: Emergency response; traditional/festive/religious activities; calls to worship/bells; organized athletic/recreational activities; municipal/utility crews; industrial operations · fines: $500-$10,000; imprisonment up to 60 days in default; $350 voluntary payment within 14 days | 2026-09-27 |
| Richmond County municipality |
By-Law 065 — Noise Control | quiet hours: No activity disturbing peace between 12 AM (midnight) and 7 AM; sound systems audible in another dwelling unit prohibited · construction hours: Construction exempt between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. for which a building permit has been issued · exemptions: Municipality/Canada/NS/NS Power/telecom employees; snow removal for health facility access; athletic/recreational/school activities 7 a.m.-12 a.m.; religious activities 7 a.m.-12 a.m.; emergency measures; agricultural activities | 2026-09-27 |
| Shelburne Town |
Noise Control By-law
adopted 2025-04-07 |
quiet hours: 10 pm - 7 am (Schedule B activities proscribed) · construction hours: Town/utility employees and contractors exempt between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. · exemptions: Emergency response personnel; municipal/government/utility workers; organized recreation, festivals, religious activities; refrigeration trucks | 2026-09-27 |
| Stellarton Town |
Noise Control By-Law #54
adopted 2020-03-09 |
quiet hours: Nighttime (22:00-07:00) limit 65 dBA at 100 ft; Daytime (07:00-22:00) limit 75 dBA at 100 ft · construction hours: Construction exempt 07:00-20:00 with building permit · exemptions: Town/government/utility employees; snow removal; emergency response; daytime athletic/recreation/school and religious activities; agriculture; permitted parades/festivals | 2026-09-27 |
| Stewiacke Town |
Noise Bylaw No. 72 | quiet hours: Mon-Thu before 6:00 a.m./after 12:00 a.m.; Fri-Sat before 7:00 a.m./after 2:00 a.m.; Sun/holiday/Remembrance Day before 8:00 a.m./after 12:00 a.m. (Schedule A Part 2) · construction hours: Town/government/utility workers exempt between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. · exemptions: Emergency response personnel; municipal/government/utility workers; organized recreation, festivals, religious activities; refrigeration trucks; off-highway vehicles | 2026-09-27 |
| Trenton Town |
By-Law No. 2024-01: Noise Control | quiet hours: 11:00pm to 7:00am - noise unreasonably disturbing peace/tranquility prohibited · construction hours: Construction and construction equipment exempt 7:00am-9:00pm with required permits · exemptions: Town/government/utility employees; snow removal; athletic/recreation/school; religious activities; Trenton FunFest/Town events; industrial park operations; permitted fireworks | 2026-09-27 |
| Truro Town |
Noise Control Bylaw No. 430 | quiet hours: 10:00pm-7:00am 55 dBA; 7:00am-10:00pm 65 dBA · construction hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (with Building Permit) · exemptions: Town/utility employees on duty; lawn mowing, snow removal; athletic/religious/community activities 7am-11pm; agricultural activities | 2026-09-27 |
| Wolfville Town |
Bylaw 64 - Prevention of Excessive Noise Bylaw
+1 more |
quiet hours: 10:00 pm - 7:00 am 55 dBA; 7:00 am -10:00 pm 65 dBA · construction hours: 7:00 am and 8:00 pm · exemptions: Town/utility employees on duty; snow removal; athletic/religious/community activities and Acadia Welcome Week 7am-11pm; emergency services | 2026-09-27 |
| Yarmouth District municipality |
Noise By-law N-050-03 | quiet hours: 7:00 pm - 7:00 am (next day) >65 dBA; 7:00 am - 7:00 pm >75 dBA (measured at not less than 100 feet) · exemptions: Parade/procession/event with permit; licensed sound under this by-law; police/fire/ambulance/emergency vehicle answering emergency call · fines: not less than $100.00 and not exceeding $1,000.00; voluntary payment $50 first/$100 second/$150 subsequent | 2026-09-27 |
| Yarmouth Town |
Noise Control Bylaw (TOY 22)
adopted 2023-03-09 |
quiet hours: 11:00 pm - 6:00 am 55 dBA; 6:00 am - 11:00 pm 65 dBA (measured no less than 30 meters from source) · construction hours: 7:00 am and 9:00 pm (with Building Permit) · exemptions: Town/utility employees on duty; snow removal; athletic/religious/community activities 6am-11pm; emergency services; commercial farm agricultural activities | 2026-09-27 |
Nothing on file for noise & nuisance
Absence here is explicit, not a gap: each municipality below was checked, and its status says why there is no document.
Checked, nothing adopted (3) — Bridgewater (2026-09-27), Victoria (2026-09-27), West Hants (2026-09-27).
Other bylaws on file, none on this topic (8) — Amherst, Chester, Clark's Harbour, Mulgrave, Pictou, Shelburne, St. Mary's, Westville.