When Serge Marcovic moved into his Pierrefonds home on the banks of Rivière des Prairies, he figured he'd found a peaceful sanctuary.

"It's one of the nicest bays in Pierrefonds," Marcovic said as he looked at the river from his backyard. "It's a very nice neighbourhood – except for the neighbours across the street."

That would be machinery rental company Locapro Inc., which Marcovic claims is violating borough noise by-laws.

He says the company was a small tool rental business for many years before recently changing ownership, and shifting its business towards the rental of heavier machinery.

"The ins and outs of all those trucks carrying that heavy machinery are causing a lot of noise," he says.

According to borough bylaws Locapro isn't allowed to operate before 7 a.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. on weekends.

Except Marcovic and several of his neighbours signed a petition stating the bylaws are not being respected, and Marcovic even set up a camera on his property to prove it.

He showed On Your Side's Caroline Van Vlaardingen a number of videos showing heavy machinery being moved off the lot before 7 a.m.

Pierrefonds/Roxboro borough mayor Monique Worth says inspectors have visited the site and that "there was no noise reported at that time."

She also admitted the borough does business with the company, to the tune of $23,000 over the past two years.

"It's a local business so we encourage them also," she said, "but it's not the main fact."

When shown some of the photos taken by Marcovic, Worth seemed surprised and said the borough would follow up.

However, the city's stance also takes into account that Marcovic lives on Gouin Blvd., a street used by a lot of heavy vehicle, and that a certain amount of noise is to be expected.

The owner of Locapro, Marco Ruggero, admitted there had been a noise problem, but said it was due to his clients dropping off their rented equipment too early. He says he has taken measures to correct the problem and has also replaced four noisy, diesel trucks.

By his estimation, Ruggero has eliminated 80 per cent of the noise problem and he is allowed to have heavy machinery on his property, even though Marcovic claims the "light industrial" zoning of the property forbids it.

Marcovic feels there is only one viable solution to the problem: for Locapro to move somewhere else.

"Find a better place," he says. "Everyone will be happier."