Do you love experiencing live music outside?
You need to hear this!

This is an important opportunity for those who love live music to protect their future experiences

You have until October 15th to make your voice heard!

The City of Toronto is conducting a review of its noise bylaw

The City of Toronto’s Municipal Licensing & Standards (MLS) division has been holding public consultations as part of its noise bylaw implementation review.

As part of the review, Amplified Sound and the Noise Exemption Permits needed to host outdoor music are under review. Current potential updates include further reducing already restrictive noise limits.

Based on the bylaw review conducted in 2019, the volume of amplified music heard outdoors is restricted to a maximum of 85 dBA, measured 20m from the source of the sound.

So what is 85 dBA?!

40 dBA quiet room, library

50 - 75 dBA household appliances, refrigerator, air conditioner

70 dBA normal conversation

70 - 85 dBA traffic

90 dBA loud conversation, shouting

110 dBA baby crying

135 dBA noisy squeeze toys

COMMON NOISE LEVELS (RESIDENTIAL)

COMMON NOISE LEVELS
(MUSIC INDUSTRY)

85 dBA busy restaurant

100 dBA school dance

110 dBA disco (nightclub)

110 dBA symphony

112 dBA MP3 player

120 dBA live band, rock concert

125 dBA car stereo

130 dBA symphony percussion

The 85 dBA limit restricts outdoor events by limiting the overall volume of the concerts. In September 2023, the City of Toronto held consultations on “Amplified Sound”, and feedback from these sessions was heavily weighted by residents who live in quiet areas of the city, as well as those who are impacted by poor noise isolation along the King Street West and Ossington corridors. However, the proposed changes will govern ALL music events across the city moving forward.

“The 85 dBA limit is unreasonably low and makes it very difficult for outdoor event organizers to create successful events and festivals.”

Source: TMAC Noise Bylaw Recommendations, 2015

We are being provided an opportunity to express thoughts on what Toronto’s future noise bylaw should look like.
The feedback will be used to recommend updates to the bylaw.

Resources:

CALL TO ACTION

Make your voice heard by telling the City what you think!

Write an email to the City of Toronto Municipal Licensing and Standards feedback (mlsfeedback@toronto.ca)
and Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik  (Councillor_Malik@toronto.ca)

Tell them:

  • Why you love outdoor live music!

  • How it benefits life in the city

  • How it improves our quality of life and experience of the city

  • Enriches the social and cultural fabric of our city

  • Benefits the tourism sector

  • Concerns you have about the impact of the proposed amendments

IMPORTANT! The deadline to send your feedback to the city is OCTOBER 15th. Send your note now!

  • Your name

  • Include your neighbourhood or riding (if you are comforable)

  • Why are you passionate about live music. Why is it important?

  • What are your concerns about the impact of these restrictions on the the future of live music, particularly in an outdoor settings

  • Alternative solutions (provide examples if you can)

WHAT TO INCLUDE:

  • Send an email voicing your concerns about these increasingly restrictive noise bylaws

  • Feel free to add why you love outdoor live music

TAKE ACTION:

Sounds of the City Collective is a small group of music lovers who want to ensure the positive energy that live music brings to Toronto is not lost, and that voices of music lovers are heard by Toronto City Council and MLS.

With support from: