Bylaw charges from 2026 St. Patrick’s Day unsanctioned street gathering

During the St. Patrick’s Day period (mainly through March 14), City of Waterloo municipal enforcement responded to 72 calls for noise and nuisance.

Penalty Notices issued during the March 14 operational period:

• Nuisance Party ($800) – 7 charges
• Block or interfere with pedestrian or vehicle traffic ($800) – 6 charges
• Noise ($400) – 21 charges
• Public urination ($400) – 3 charges
• Lot maintenance/property standards – 49 orders issued for clean-up 

“We are disappointed that students and others continued to gather on our streets, creating a nuisance and a community safety concern,” said Grant Curlew, Acting Director, Municipal Enforcement Services. “We are thankful there were no significant injuries, and that crowds were smaller, more contained, and dispersed more quickly than in previous years. Thank you to Waterloo Regional Police Service, our city enforcement staff and all our community partners for their efforts this weekend. We will continue to work with our partners on strategies to address large, unsanctioned gatherings.”

 
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Media contact:
Cari Van Niekerk
Director, Corporate Communications 
cvanniekerk@waterloo.ca