The use of power tools: a matter of neighbourly respect!
Noise pollution is the cause of many neighbourhood conflicts, whether it is caused by individuals or professional activities. Often, the people making the noise and dust do not realize its adverse effects and the discomfort they inflict on others. Maintaining a peaceful environment is about respect and is everyone’s responsibility. By-law BEAC-033 outlines the rules and regulations in place regarding noise and nuisances.
Construction or vehicle repair
Under By-Law BEAC-033, the use of noisy equipment and electric or gas powered tools used for construction, renovation, or repair of buildings or vehicles is only permitted during the following hours:
- Monday to Friday: between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m.
- Saturday: between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m.
It is FORBIDDEN to execute these activities on Sunday and statutory holidays
Garden maintenance
Under this by-law, different hours to do garden maintenance causing noise on weekends are provided. On those days, use of a chain-saw, lawn mower, grass trimmer, hedge trimmer or other similar devices is permitted as follows:
- Monday to Friday: between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m.
- Saturday: between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m.
- Sunday and statutory holidays: between noon and 4 p.m.
Leaf Blowers
The use or operation of a leaf blower is prohibited from June 1 to September 30, subject to a fine.
It is permitted from October 1 to May 31 as follows:
- Monday to Friday: between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m.
- Saturday: between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m.
- Sunday and statutory holidays: between noon and 4 p.m.
Air quality
It is forbidden at all times to produce dust or particles into the air by cutting concrete, cement, brick, stone or unistone and by sandblasting in a manner that disturbs the neighbourhood.
Noise and good neighbourliness on statutory holidays
In accordance with By-law BEAC-033, we remind you that certain construction and motor vehicle repair works are not permitted on Sundays and statutory holidays. Please note that yard work is only permitted between noon and 4:00 p.m. on these days.
Outdoor fires
It is prohibited to light and maintain any exterior fire or bonfire on any public or private property or to use an outdoor wood burning fireplace or exterior wood stove.
Nuisance amendment regarding leaf blowers
An amendment to By-law BEAC-033 regarding nuisances was adopted by Council in 2018.
This amendment prohibits the use of leaf blowers from June 1 to September 30 and has been in effect as of 2019.
The pertinent documentation relating to this amendment can be consulted below:
- Rapport d'analyse d'un sondage téléphonique mené auprès des citoyens de la Ville de Beaconsfield - Léger (in French only)
- 14 environmental studies and documents
- Government of Canada - Particulate matter 2.5 and 10
- Government of Canada - Fuels and air pollution
- Government of Canada - Air pollutant emissions from transportation, off-road vehicles and mobile equipment
- World health organization - Ambient (outdoor) air quality and health
- Agglomération de Montréal - Inventaire 2010 des émissions de gaz à effet de serre corporatives(in French only)
- Directrice santé publique de Montréal - bruit environnemental (in French only)
- Directrice santé publique de Montréal - pollution atmosphérique (in French only)
- Town of Lincoln Board of Health - Leaf blowers and health (en anglais seulement)
- Jamie L. Banks, PhD, MS, Robert McConnell, Environmental Engineer - National emissions from lawn and garden equipment (en anglais seulement)
- Edmunds - emissions test : car vs. truck vs. leaf blower (en anglais seulement)
- Confédération suisse - Ce qu'il faut savoir sur les souffleurs et aspirateurs de feuilles mortes (in French only)
- Évaluation des risques de la pollution urbaine sur la santé en Ile-de-France (in French only)
- Un point sur la législation en France (in French only)
- Medieco - Souffler des feuilles n'est pas anodin pour la santé! (in French only)