Mayor John Tory is revving up the fight against noisy nuisances on Toronto streets.

In a letter obtained by the Star, Tory formally requested that the city’s licensing and standards chief look at excessive noise from cars and motorcycles in a review of Toronto’s noise bylaw.

“It is my view that over the past year in particular, this has become a much more widespread problem affecting quality of life for residents and visitors alike,” he wrote to Tracey Cook, executive director of municipal licensing and standards.

“It is disturbing people in their homes, during the day and at night, it is disrupting business and it is having a negative impact on tourists, all in the apparent cause of feeding the egos of inconsiderate people.”

The bylaw review is currently underway by city staff and is due to be completed by the third quarter of 2019, with a report to council’s licensing and standards committee.

In his letter, Tory requests that staff look at best practices from other cities in Canada and the United Kingdom, which include new and improved technology and higher fines for non-compliance.

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“I know the City of Edmonton is examining the use of red light camera-type technology to capture the licence plates of vehicles which make excessive noise,” he wrote.

“Other cities have put electronic signs into place which offer a decibel level readout. London, England has established substantial fines for excessive vehicle and motorcycle noise.”

Tory also requested that staff look into having bylaw officers take on a “greater role” in enforcing excessive noise rules, rather than relying on “busy” police officers.

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“This is a problem which has spread to different areas of the city, from the downtown communities close to the lakeshore and the Gardiner (Expressway), to various areas adjacent to Bloor St. and to tourist areas like Yorkville,” Tory wrote.

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According to the City of Toronto website, the current bylaw prohibits noise at times when it is likely to disturb others, and complaints are generally regarding construction, loud music or barking dogs.

Municipal work and work in emergency situations are exempted by the bylaw.

“Even in a busy city there have to be limits and ways to enforce them,” Tory wrote. “As one resident recently said to me: ‘We don’t want to become the city that never sleeps.’ I agree.”

Ilya Bañares is a breaking news reporter, working out of the Star’s radio room in Toronto. Follow him on Twitter: @ilyaoverseas

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