Plateau proposes noise bylaw changes to balance nightlife and residents’ needs

Following the City of Montreal’s Nightlife Policy adopted last October, the Plateau is proposing changes to its noise bylaw in an effort to better balance nightlife with residents’ needs.

The proposed rules introduce a new way of measuring how much a venue’s sound stands out from the usual background noise in the neighbourhood—a method called spectral emergence.

However, some critics say the changes may not provide new protections and could introduce new risks and fines instead.

Max Honigmann of MTL 24/24, a non-profit that advocates for Montreal’s nightlife, says the city’s approach is a step in the right direction but still misses the mark. He argues the bylaw would not have prevented the closure of La Tulipe and could leave other cultural venues just as vulnerable.

“It can help venues understand what they need to do and how to use their sound systems,” Honigmann said. “But at the same time, one of the big flaws is that police still retain full, arbitrary power to decide whether a noise complaint is disturbing the peace—even if it’s just one person making the complaint.”

Under the proposed changes, venues would be allowed up to 4 decibels above ambient levels between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m., as measured at a resident’s home—either indoors or on outdoor spaces like terraces or balconies. During that same time frame, the permitted noise limit on a residential terrace in Plateau-Mont-Royal is set at 60 decibels.

However, on a typical Saturday afternoon, ambient noise is already around 70 decibels. In those conditions, even with a 4-decibel allowance, the bylaw becomes difficult to apply.

CityNews reached out to the city of Montreal for comment but have not heard back yet.

Honigmann suggests implementing an “agent of change” principle, where newcomers to a neighbourhood—such as new venues or multi-residential developments—are expected to adapt to the existing soundscape.

“Cohabitation should be a two-way street,” he said. “It shouldn’t be that all the pressure falls on one side.”