Acoustic Design Requirements in Toronto

NBCC + OBC + Toronto Green Standard compliance guide for Toronto architects and acoustic consultants.

Toronto Green Standard (TGS) v4 has specific acoustic requirements for Tier 1 (mandatory) and Tier 2 (voluntary) developments.

Primary Standard

NBCC + OBC + Toronto Green Standard

Certification Body

CAA (Canadian Acoustical Association)

RT60 Targets for Toronto

Room TypeRT60 TargetStandard
Classroom≤ 0.6sANSI S12.60
Office (open plan)≤ 0.8sWELL v2
Residential unitSTC 50 (OBC)OBC/NBCC

Common Building Types in Toronto Requiring Acoustic Design

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High-rise residential condominiums

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Mixed-use developments

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Office towers

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Mid-rise wood frame (6 storeys)

Acoustic Consultants in Toronto

Firms commonly working on acoustic design in Toronto include Aercoustics, HGC Engineering, Jade Acoustics, Valcoustics, and RWDI. AcousPlan does not endorse specific firms \u2014 this list reflects commonly encountered practices in the Toronto market. For projects requiring professional acoustic assessment, we recommend engaging a consultant accredited by CAA (Canadian Acoustical Association).

Frequently Asked Questions: Toronto Acoustics

What does the Toronto Green Standard require for acoustics?▾
TGS v4 Tier 1 (mandatory for all new developments) requires: STC 55 between dwelling units (exceeding OBC minimum of STC 50), background noise levels meeting ASHRAE guidelines, and noise assessments for developments on major roads. Tier 2 (incentivised through development charge refunds) requires: STC 60 between units, enhanced facade performance, and mechanical noise control exceeding ASHRAE criteria.
How does Toronto handle noise from condos near highways?▾
The City of Toronto requires a Noise Impact Study for all residential developments within 100m of highways, railways, or transit corridors. The study must demonstrate that interior noise levels meet MOE NPC-300 guidelines (45 dB LAeq daytime, 40 dB LAeq night-time for bedrooms). This often requires enhanced facade assemblies with STC 35-45 depending on exposure, and may require air conditioning instead of operable windows.
What STC rating does the Ontario Building Code require?▾
The Ontario Building Code (OBC) Section 9.11 requires STC 50 for separating walls and floor/ceiling assemblies between dwelling units. Toronto Green Standard Tier 1 exceeds this at STC 55. For wood-frame construction (now permitted up to 12 storeys in Ontario), careful attention to flanking transmission is essential as field performance of wood-frame assemblies typically falls 3-7 STC points below laboratory ratings.
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