The Ontario government has extended construction hours for essential construction projects, such as projects related to the health care sector amid COVID-19, to 24 hours a day.

With this, the government has passed O. Reg 131/20, which limits Section 451.1 of the Municipal Act by lifting noise by-laws to permit construction work to continue outside a normal workday/work week. The decision to work during the hours that normally would be prohibited under a noise by-law is up to the construction company.

This will apply to:

• Construction projects and services in a municipality associated with the healthcare sector, including new facilities, expansions, renovations, and conversion of spaces that could be repurposed for heathcare space, at any time of the day or night

• Any other construction activity in a municipality may operate between the hours of 6am and 10pm.

Local governments will not be required to make any amendments to their municipal by-laws.

For more information, please see below:

Ontario Newsroom: Ontario Accelerates Essential Construction Projects During COVID-19

O. Reg. 131/20: Limitation under Section 451.1 of the Act – Noise By-laws in Connection with Construction