CARSTAIRS - Council has approved several updates to the town’s noise bylaw, changes that include new prohibition times for construction activities on weekends and holidays.
The move came by way of motion at the recent regularly scheduled meeting, held in person and on Zoom.
The updated construction noise section now reads, “No person shall create or have cause to create a sound from any machine, tools or equipment which may be heard beyond the boundaries of the site on which an activity is being carried on in a residential area between the hours of 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. on weekdays or 9 p.m. and 8 a.m. on Saturday, Sunday and holidays, and the provision of the section does not apply to any work carried out by the town or by a contractor carrying out the instructions of the town.”
The changes also include several modifications to the definitions section of the bylaw, including vehicle now defined as “passenger vehicle, petroleum power scooters and bicycles, motorcycles, light commercial vehicles and heavy commercial vehicles.”
Animal noises are defined as “any noise produced by an animal in the possession of a resident or visitor.”
The general noise prohibition now reads, “No person shall make, continue making, cause or allow to be made or continued any loud, unnecessary or unusual noise that annoys, disturbs, injures, endangers, or detracts from the comfort, general health, peace, safety of other persons within the town. This does not apply to accidental occurrences.
“Animal noise shall be limited to the guidelines set out in the general noise prohibition.”
Regarding commercial and industrial noise, the update bylaw now reads, “Where an open area is approved for parking, owners will create no more noise than is reasonably necessary.”
Council also made a small amendment to the dog control bylaw’s provision regarding the reclaiming of animals.
The updated section now reads, “The owner of any impounded dog shall reclaim the dog from the town by paying the fees set out in the rates and fees bylaw, and/or the fees of the holding facility, and if a dog is not registered, the owner shall register the dog.”
