What can I do if my Ottawa neighbour's reno is keeping me up?

If your neighbour's renovation noise is keeping you up at night, Ottawa has clear bylaws that protect you — and there are practical steps you can take starting tonight.

Ottawa's Noise Bylaw (By-law 2017-255) sets specific quiet hours for construction and renovation work. Permitted construction noise hours are 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM on weekdays, and 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM on weekends and holidays. Any work happening outside those hours — jackhammering at 6 AM, power tools at 11 PM — is a bylaw violation you can report immediately.

Your first step is to call Ottawa By-law and Regulatory Services at 613-580-2400. They operate 24/7 and can dispatch a bylaw officer to issue a warning or fine to the property. You can also report online at ottawa.ca through their service request portal. Keep a log of dates, times, and the type of noise — this documentation strengthens your complaint if the issue becomes ongoing.

Before escalating, it's worth having a calm conversation with your neighbour if you feel comfortable doing so. Most homeowners and contractors aren't aware they're causing a serious disruption, and a polite heads-up often resolves things quickly. If the contractor is a professional outfit, they should absolutely know the bylaw rules — that's basic job site etiquette.

If the work looks unpermitted, that's a separate issue worth flagging. Unpermitted renovations can be reported to Ottawa Building Code Services at 613-580-2424. Signs of unpermitted work include no posted permit on the property, structural changes, or additions happening without any inspector visits. Unpermitted work is a problem not just for noise — it creates real liability and resale issues for your neighbour down the road.

For your own sanity in the short term: earplugs, a white noise machine, or noise-cancelling headphones can help while the bylaw process plays out. Most renovation projects are temporary, and a bylaw complaint usually gets quick results.

If you're ever the one planning a renovation and want to be a considerate neighbour — working with a licensed, professional contractor like Justyn Rook Contracting means the job gets done efficiently, on schedule, and always within permitted hours. Feel free to reach out if you have questions about planning your own project the right way.