Summary#

Calgary City Council defeated Councillor Tyers’s notice of motion, “Noise Permits and Stampede Festival Operations,” on June 23, 2026. It would have directed City staff to propose changes to the Community Standards Bylaw 32M2023 and take other steps on Stampede festival operations. The motion’s stated goal was a balanced and sustainable festival experience; because it was defeated, these directions were not adopted.

• The motion proposed Stampede music-event end times of 1:00 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, with “cool-down” music until 1:30 a.m.; Friday and Saturday events would end by 1:30 a.m.
• An amendment changing the proposed reduction in volume and bass limits from 2.5 to 3 decibels passed 8 to 7. The full motion, as amended, then failed 6 to 9.
• It proposed that City staff work with event organizers and enforcement partners on social disorder and expanded temporary washroom facilities.
• It also proposed post-festival engagement, a review of noise permits and festival operations, and a report with recommendations by the first quarter of 2027.

What it means for you#

• Residents and festival-goers: This motion did not change event hours, noise limits, or sanitation services. It did not direct City staff to carry out its proposed review or engagement.
• Event organizers: The proposed new hours and 3-decibel reductions were not adopted through this decision.
• City staff: The motion did not direct staff to prepare a bylaw amendment or complete the proposed work.

Money#

No cost estimate is provided in the materials.

• The motion proposed more temporary washrooms and urinals, but gave no cost or funding source. Since the motion failed, it did not authorize that work.

What is unclear#

• The materials do not set out the current noise-permit rules or explain how they compare with the motion’s proposed limits.
• The motion did not specify the cost of additional sanitation, engagement, or a review.
• The motion referred to the “period of the Stampede” without defining it in the supplied text.

Case for#

• The proposal appears intended to address noise, social disorder, and impacts on nearby areas while setting specific event end times and volume limits.
• A possible argument for the proposed review is that it could identify clearer, more consistent permit conditions and improve coordination between permit rules and event agreements.
• The proposed stakeholder engagement included residents, businesses, event operators, arts groups, police, and security providers.

Case against#

• The proposed earlier end times on Sunday through Thursday and lower volume and bass limits could have constrained festival operations; the motion did not explain how those limits would affect events.
• The proposal included expanded sanitation and a broad review but gave no cost estimate or detail on how the work would be carried out.
• Nine councillors voted against the motion: Yule, Pantazopoulos, Clark, Dhaliwal, Atkinson, Kelly, Schmidt, Wyness, and Mayor Farkas. The supplied minutes do not give their reasons.