Nuisance Party and Noise Bylaws changed to address risky gatherings

The City has made changes to the Nuisance Party and Noise Bylaw, due to the increased risks posed by nuisance behaviour during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a release published Thursday, Aug 20, 2020.

The addition of Administrative Monetary Penalties (AMPs) allow fines for contravening the Nuisance Party and Noise Bylaws to be issued and resolved directly through the City of Kingston.

“Normally, nuisance behaviours can be disruptive for community members, but with the COVID-19 pandemic, gatherings that result in a nuisance complaint could pose a greater risk to the community,” says Kyle Compeau, Manager of Licensing and Enforcement for the City. “This adjusted process will allow bylaw officers to respond expediently by providing an immediate, tangible deterrent to nuisance behaviour.”

According to the release, this new approach was determined in close consultation and collaboration with Kingston Police and KFL&A Public Health, and will provide an alternative to nuisance behaviour enforcement across the City. AMPs will help alleviate pressure on the provincial process, which has formerly processed fines for the Nuisance Party and Noise Bylaw and has suspended operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The AMP process also includes due process provisions, including a right of appeal to an independent hearings officer, says the City.

Kingston Police and Municipal Enforcement Officers will still be able to issue fines through the standard process, meaning that a fine under the Nuisance Party Bylaw could still result in a Part One Court Summons.

“As always, the priority is to ensure bylaw compliance through education. We want to ensure that residents are aware of how this change affects them,” says Dan Hazell, Supervisor of Licensing and Enforcement for the City. “If you have any questions about AMPs, don’t hesitate to speak with a member of our team.”

To learn more about the new AMP process, visit the bylaw website at https://www.cityofkingston.ca/city-hall/bylaws/noise-bylaw