Courses/CELPIP Vocabulary & Collocations Kit/Neighborhood & Services - Safety, Noise & Bylaws

#14. Neighborhood & Services - Safety, Noise & Bylaws

Words (Core Vocabulary)

  • bylaw / regulation / ordinance / enforcement
  • quiet hours / noise complaint / decibel
  • parking bylaw / permit / time limit / ticket / tow
  • smoke-free / vaping / cannabis rules
  • snow/ice removal / sidewalk clearing
  • property maintenance / overgrown vegetation
  • animal services / leash / dog license / off-leash area
  • fire safety / alarm / extinguisher / evacuation
  • construction notice / work hours
  • nuisance / disturbance
  • non-emergency line / emergency (911)

Phrases (Clarify rules, report issues)

  • What are the quiet hours for our neighbourhood?
  • How do I file a noise complaint about late-night music?
  • Do I need a parking permit on this street overnight?
  • Are parks smoke-free? What about vaping or cannabis?
  • When must sidewalks be cleared after a snowfall?
  • Is my dog required to be leashed on this trail?
  • There’s an ongoing disturbanceshould I call the non-emergency line?

Contextual Examples (Natural, everyday)

  • **Hi—**I’d like to confirm quiet hours and construction hours for our block.
  • I received a parking ticket. How do I dispute or pay it?
  • There’s a recurring loud party past midnight—how do I report a noise complaint?
  • We had a false fire alarmis there a process to prevent repeat incidents?

Collocations & Phrases (bold the key words)

Understanding rules

  • review the bylaws
  • confirm quiet hours
  • check parking permits
  • follow smoke-free policies
  • comply with snow removal rules

Reporting & resolution

  • file a noise complaint
  • call the non-emergency line
  • report a parking violation
  • submit evidence (photos/video)
  • appeal a ticket/fine

Pets & property

  • renew a dog license
  • use off-leash areas
  • maintain sidewalks/yard
  • post a construction notice

Canadian Cultural Context (How to sound natural & polite)

  • Quiet hours typically cover late evening to morning; details vary by city—ask to confirm.
  • Winter: residents are often responsible for clearing snow/ice from sidewalks by a set time.
  • Many areas are smoke-free, including playgrounds and building entrances.
  • Use non-emergency numbers for ongoing issues; 911 is for immediate danger.

Extra Mini-Patterns (plug-and-play)

  • Noise: I’d like to file a noise complaint about loud music after midnight at [location].”
  • Parking: Do I need a permit to park overnight on [Street]?”
  • Snow: By what time do sidewalks need to be cleared after a snowfall?”
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