Richmond City Council unanimously approved an amendment to its noise regulation bylaw that will prohibit construction noise on Sundays and holidays, save for any work done by the homeowner or tenant.
Community activist Kerry Starchuk raised the issue in April after telling city council’s planning committee her neighbourhood was a “non-stop construction zone.”
Starchuk said she still has concerns but was pleased with the decision by council on Monday, which will allow Richmond to fall in line with several other municipalities in the Metro Vancouver region that apply similar standards.
“The construction noise was beyond normal and needed to be addressed. The Good Neighbour Policy needed to be reviewed. It was just a piece of paper with empty words,” said Starchuk.
Another one of Starchuk’s request was met when council approved the mandatory posting of signage on properties under construction.
Once the bylaw passes a final reading, expected to take place in September, homebuilders must now post the permitted hours for construction noise, the company name, a 24-hour contact number and a City of Richmond phone number for complaints.
City planners reviewed 13 policies in Metro Vancouver, finding that seven do not allow any construction on Sundays and five prohibit such noise on statutory holidays. Only two municipalities allowed construction noise on Sundays. Meanwhile five municipalities enforce some kind of pertinent signage on construction sites.
Ed Warzel, the city’s manager of community bylaws, told city council the Sunday and holiday noise allowances are only for the actual owners and tenants and not for contractors.
“This option would align the City with the municipalities that prohibit construction noise caused by major projects while allowing residents to complete home repairs and small scale construction on weekends,” stated Warzel in his report.
Coun. Bill McNulty said he foresees there could be problems with such an interpretation.
Come September, construction activity will be limited to Monday-Friday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and — for homeowners and tenants exclusively — Sundays and holidays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The bylaw only enforces noise that is over 85 decibels when measured from 15 metres from the source of the sound. Warzel has noted typical construction activities and equipment creates noises of about 50 decibels.
According to the city, residents complained about construction noise 116 times in 2014 and 36 times as of May 19.
However, despite the changes Starchuk points out that the noise issue is but one of many things the city must look at to fall in line with its goal of creating a “livable city.”
“The part that they did not address was unsightly premises, recycling useful material from houses being demolished, single family homes being rebuilt into multi-family residences and illegal hotels,” said Starchuk.
Noise complaints are taken by the city at 604-276-4345 and by Vancouver Coastal Health at 604-233-3147.
