Loud Noises: Saskatoon City Committee Discusses Event Sound Monitoring
Noise bylaw extensions allow events to run late, as long as they don't exceed 105 decibels measured from 100 feet in front of the stage. A Saskatoon committee discussion about noise at summer events turned into questions around what the city needs to do more to better monitor sound.
Local events that haven’t been around for more than three years, have received several complaints in the past, or have moved locations are required to go in front of the environment, utilities and corporate services committee to ask for a noise bylaw extension. These extensions, which are otherwise handled by city administration, allow events to run beyond daytime hours under specific guidelines, such as not exceeding 105 decibels – measured from 100 feet (30 metres) in front of the stage or location of the speaker system.
Tuesday’s discussion had four events that were looking for an extension: Saskatoon Pride Festival at River Landing Market Square from June 25 to 28, the Outskirts Music Festival Saskatoon at the SaskTel Centre Parking Lot on June 27, Hudson’s Annual Block Party on Fourth Avenue from June 21 to 25, and Rock the River at Rotary Park from Aug. 13 to 15.
How Sound Is Monitored
There weren’t any concerns from committee about granting these extensions, but committee had questions about how noise levels are measured in general. Coun. Jasmin Parker said it’s up to event organizers to monitor noise levels. She asked one of the speakers, Izabeth Rossi with the SaskTel Centre, about how they monitor noise levels. Rossi said they can monitor the decibel levels every minute to ensure they don’t go over the city’s threshold.
Greg Clark, owner of Hudson’s, spoke about some of the changes they’ve made to their event. The block party received 20 noise complaints back in 2021 from nearby hotels; there were no complaints in 2024, and three in 2025. Mayor Cynthia Block asked Clark how they monitor noise. He said they check the decibel levels every 15 minutes.
“A motorcycle driving by would generate more noise than what we are generating,” Clark told the committee. City administration said expectations are clearly outlined to event organizers, and that a staff member might check noise levels at the beginning of the event.
“Why would we choose the start of the event versus later in the evening when things kind of get more rowdy?” Coun. Kathryn MacDonald asked. Administration said they don’t have enough staff to monitor events all night. Event organizers must submit noise level reports to the city, but there are no specific time frames of when they need to be submitted. “How do we ensure that they are accurate?” MacDonald asked, wondering if event organizers could just submit any numbers they wanted.
