We’ve all been bothered by loud noises at some point—whether it’s a vehicle revving too loudly or a neighbour starting their leaf blower way too early in the morning. Thankfully, most municipalities have bylaws in place to help keep excessive noise in check.

Noise pollution isn’t just an annoyance—it poses real risks to our health, well-being, and sense of community. In urban areas, vehicles are a major source of noise, especially those equipped with illegal aftermarket exhaust systems that exceed legal sound limits. Other noises, like construction or landscaping equipment, are typically regulated through bylaws. These noise sources tend to be relatively stationary and are generally easier to manage.

While the BC Motor Vehicle Act (MVA)¹ includes rules to limit vehicle noise, enforcing these rules can be difficult. To address this, some communities in Canada and around the world are turning to new technologies, like noise cameras, to monitor and enforce noise limits. These smart tools could be an effective way to reduce harmful vehicle noise and help improve the quality of life for everyone in our communities.

What is noise?

Vehicle noise comes from the engine, brakes, exhaust, tires, and air displacement. While exhaust systems help reduce noise, some people install illegal "aftermarket mufflers" to make vehicles intentionally louder.

The MVA sets vehicle noise limits at:

• 83 dBA for light-duty vehicles

• 88 dBA for gas-powered heavy-duty vehicles

• 91 dBA for motorcycles

• 93 dBA for diesel-powered heavy-duty vehicles

Excessive noise can also be generated by how a vehicle is driven. Excessive engine revving can be a source of acute vehicular noise pollution, with the volume depending on several factors.² Speed is also a factor in noise levels from vehicles - higher speeds = more noise (higher decibel readings).³

Sound is measured in decibels (dB), with A-weighted decibels (dBA) reflecting how humans perceive loudness. For example, breathing is about 10 dBA; conversation is about 60 dBA, 91 dBA is similar to some power tools; a chainsaw or rock concert can reach 110–120 dBA. Every 10 dB increase represents a tenfold rise in intensity, or roughly twice the loudness. Unwanted sound is considered noise.

Summary

So what are we waiting for? While this all may sound good, BC municipalities (except Vancouver) do not have the authority to implement traffic enforcement cameras such as speed or red light cameras. These systems fall under provincial jurisdiction and are managed through programs such as the Intersection Safety Camera (ISC) program, a collaboration between the provincial government, ICBC, and law enforcement agencies.

Some municipalities, including Port Moody, have expressed interest in implementing (or testing) technologies like noise and speed cameras to address local traffic concerns. However, they require provincial approval to proceed with such initiatives. Recently, Port Moody Council directed staff to proceed with a noise monitoring pilot. While this pilot will only measure sound levels from vehicle traffic, the data gathered will help inform future decisions and advocacy. 

Efforts have been made through advocacy by the Union of B.C. Municipalities (UBCM) to lobby the provincial government to delegate authority to municipalities, allowing them to implement traffic enforcement cameras independently. Despite these efforts, the province has maintained control over such enforcement tools, limiting municipalities to roles in advocacy and data collection without enforcement capabilities.

Recently, the Ministry of Transportation and Transit responded to the 2024 Port Moody UBCM motion, saying (page 170):

The Motor Vehicle Act and regulations provide for the regulation of excessive vehicle noise in B.C., including the setting of related offences and fines. A motor vehicle, including a motorcycle, is required to have an exhaust system that functions without excessive noise. Furthermore, drivers are prohibited from operating a motor vehicle that has been modified with a muffler or exhaust system that increases exhaust noise.

Peace officers can issue a violation ticket and $109 fine for contraventions. They also have the authority to direct any vehicle to a designated inspection facility if the vehicle appears mechanically unsafe or non-compliant with the Motor Vehicle Act. In addition, municipalities may regulate excessive or unnecessary noise within their municipal boundaries by enacting a bylaw.

Ministry staff are aware of the issue of excessive vehicle noise and are monitoring other jurisdictions where vehicle noise cameras have been tested, such as Calgary and Edmonton. The ministry will continue to monitor this issue to determine the potential effectiveness of this technology for use as an enforcement tool in B.C.

Noise cameras offer an innovative and efficient alternative to our current approach, one that can continuously monitor and identify vehicles in real-time, providing a cost-effective solution to enforcement challenges, but municipalities lack the authority to independently deploy and enforce traffic camera systems without provincial approval.

So what can citizens do?

• Write your city council to show your support for noise monitoring projects.

• Write to your MLA to tell them you support noise cameras to be included in traffic camera legislation and support noise camera pilot projects.

• Share this blog and linked news articles with friends and neighbours.

References

1. Government of BC (2010). Motor Vehicle Act Regulation. B.C. Reg. 26/58, O.C. 1004/58. Available at https://www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca/civix/document/id/loo83/loo83/26_58_04; and see Government of BC (2023). Offence Act: Violation Ticket Administration and Fines Regulation. B.C. Reg. 89/97. O.C. 262/97. Available at https://www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/89_97_04

2. Bhatia, R. (2014). “Noise pollution: Managing the challenge of urban noise.” Earth Journalism Network. Available at https://earthjournalism.net/resources/noise-pollution-managing-the-challenge-of-urban-sounds

3. See for example Tingwall, E. (2015). “The physics of engine notes, or: Why a Toyota V-6 and Porsche flat-six sound so different.” Car and Driver. Available at https://www.caranddriver.com/features/a15107374/this-is-why-various-engine-types-sound-so-different-feature/

Related news articles

• https://vancouver.citynews.ca/2025/01/14/port-moody-noise-cameras-council/

• https://martlet.ca/ubcm-asks-province-to-consider-noise-camera-pilot-project/

• https://www.tricitynews.com/local-news/port-moody-will-look-at-testing-noise-cameras-to-crack-down-on-loud-vehicles-10080493