Filing a 311 complaint
Get the Word Out
Education is the most effective form of enforcement. When people understand the scientific evidence about the health, environmental, and noise impacts of gas-powered leaf blowers, many choose to switch voluntarily to quieter, energy-efficient electric equipment.
Residents can play an important role by helping to spread awareness throughout the neighbourhood.
Empower your community:
Share information with your neighbours about the health and environmental impacts of gas-powered leaf blowers.
Distribute educational postcards or flyers that explain the benefits of quieter, cleaner alternatives.
Encourage respectful conversations with landscaping contractors and property managers.
Help build neighbourhood support for cleaner, quieter landscaping practices.
Real change begins with neighbours inspiring neighbours. Every conversation and every postcard shared plants the seeds of awareness, empowers others to act, and brings us one step closer to a quieter community.
Leaf Blower Noise Complaints
If you live in:
Ward 10 – Spadina–Fort York
Councillor Ausma Malik
Ward 11 – University–Rosedale
Councillor Dianne Saxe
Ward 12 – Toronto–St. Paul's
Councillor Josh Matlow
Ward 13 – Toronto Centre
Councillor Chris Moise
How to file.
Record a 10-second video of the leaf blower in operation.
Take a screenshot showing video and timestamp.
Email screenshot and video to-
Malcolm Thompson
By-law Enforcement Officer
Noise Enforcement Unit – Central (Wards 10–13)
Municipal Licensing & Standards, City of Toronto
Email: malcolm.thompson@toronto.ca
OR
Submit written complaint to - mlsfeedback@toronto.ca
____________________________________________________________
Suggestion from the City
“The Noise Bylaw includes decibel limits and time restrictions for some types of noise.We encourage residents to exercise a reasonable degree of tolerance and to review the bylaw regulations by type of noise prior to submitting a service request. If you have a concern, consider speaking with those responsible for making the noise to give them anopportunity to correct the issue. If you are a tenant, please speak to your landlord first...” City of Toronto
The current ByLaw
Leaf blower noise is exempt from enforcement during the following hours:
Weekdays: 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Saturdays, Sundays, and statutory holidays: 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
During these daytime hours, complaints about leaf blower noise are not acted upon. Investigations only occur if the equipment is used outside the permitted bylaw hours. Even then, enforcement generally depends on repeated or ongoing noise, not the intensity of a single incident.
After a complaint is filed, it may take seven to ten days for a bylaw enforcement officer to respond.
To complain residents are directed to contact 311@toronto.ca, They are advised to photograph the contractor’s truck and, if possible, record a video of the incident.
This places the burden of enforcement on residents rather than the City. The result is that neighbourhoods are left unprotected.
Homeowners and tenants are told to tolerate noise levels during the day that would otherwise violate the City’s own health-based noise standards.
In practice, Toronto’s bylaw shields polluting, high-noise machines more than it protects people.
If Toronto is serious about protecting public health, reducing noise pollution, and meeting its climate commitments, this enforcement loophole must be closed.
