City of Calgary rescinds noise bylaw ticket for Stampede tent as complaints climb

Calgary is experiencing a rise in noise complaints stemming from music tents operating alongside the annual Stampede festival. As of Thursday morning, the city recorded 186 noise-related complaints, a notable increase from the 124 logged during the same period last year.

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Maybe the sound has been directed in a different direction. That has surprised me quite a bit, but I also think it reflects the community and the neighbourhood because we’ve had enough. Last year was just collective suffering.

The Cowboys Music Festival has drawn the most attention, accounting for 124 of the complaints. Other venues like the Badlands Music Festival (37 complaints), Whiskey Rose (six), and National Saloon (one) also contributed to the total, with 18 complaints related to other city events.

Despite the increase in complaints, some residents living near the venues report an improvement. Michael Dettner-Owens, who resides near the Cowboys Music Festival, described this year as "much, much better" than last year's "10 night nightmare," suggesting sound may be directed differently or that community tolerance has shifted.

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We are encouraged by the reduction in decibel levels over the past three nights; however, bass levels remain a challenge. We will be monitoring this venue closely with the goal of achieving compliance through working with operators or through enforcement, if necessary.

City officials are actively monitoring noise levels and assessing compliance with noise exemption permit rules. While one ticket issued to the Badlands Music Festival was rescinded after review, the city's Community Standards chief, Ryan Pleckaitis, noted that bass levels remain a challenge. The city aims to achieve compliance through collaboration with operators or, if necessary, enforcement. Noise exemption rules, including a midnight cutoff for live concerts and specific decibel limits, are in place for events outside the main Stampede grounds.

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The midnight cutoff has worked really well. We can actually go to bed at midnight or a little earlier.