Residential noise – prohibited times for noise
EPA has released the new Environment Protection (Residential Noise) Regulations 2008. As well as applying the following items and times, there are changes to the way some large scale residential construction is managed. To find out more please see Residential Noise Regulations 2008.
Environment Protection (Residential Noise) Regulations 2008
| Group | Prescribed items | Prohibited times |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | A motor vehicle (except a vehicle moving in or out of premises), lawn mower or other grass cutting device and any equipment or appliance not falling within Group 2 having an internal combustion engine. | Monday to Friday: before 7am and after 8pm.
Weekends and public holidays: before 9am and after 8pm. |
| 2 | An electric power tool, chain or circular saw, gas or air compressor, pneumatic power tool, hammer and any other impacting tool or grinding equipment. | Monday to Friday: before 7am and after 8pm.
Weekends and public holidays: before 9am and after 8pm. |
| 3 | A domestic air conditioner or evaporative cooler, heat pump, swimming pool pump, spa pump, water pump other than a pump being used to fill a header tank, domestic heating equipment (including central heating and hot water systems) and a domestic vacuum cleaner. | Monday to Friday: before 7am and after 10pm.
Weekends and public holidays: before 9am and after 10pm. |
| 4 | A musical instrument and any electrical amplified sound reproducing equipment including a stereo, radio, television and public address system. | Monday to Thursday: before 7am and after 10pm. Friday: before 7am and after 11pm. Saturday and public holidays: before 9am and after 11pm. Sunday: before 9am and after 10pm. |
| 5 | Any electric equipment or appliance not falling within Group 2, Group 3, or Group 4, including electric gardening equipment, but not electric equipment or appliances for personal care or grooming, or for heating, refrigeration or preparation of food. | Monday to Friday: before 7am and after 8pm.
Weekends and public holidays: before 9am and after 8pm. |
Note: The prohibited times apply when the noise can be heard from inside a habitable room of another residential premises.
Any residential noise can still be considered unreasonable outside of the prohibited times.
Frequently asked questions
- What is residential noise?
- Is noise always acceptable outside of the prohibited times?
- Are there standards for daytime residential noise?
- Can activities not listed in the Regulations and voices be unreasonable?
- Are water pumps being used to fill a header tank covered under the Regulations?
- Do the new Regulations apply to water pumps connected to sanitary fixtures?
- Am I able to work on a residential construction site (e.g. home renovation, building houses or apartments) within the prohibited times?
- Who is responsible for helping to manage residential noise issues?
Noise can be defined as “unwanted sound.” What may be pleasurable sound to one person can be noise to another. Over time, noise can cause significant impacts on health and wellbeing – especially when it disturbs sleep.
Residential noise means any noise emitted from the home, land used in connection with the home such as on the nature-strip or in a garage, and noise from houses and apartments under construction. Residential noise is usually most disturbing when it is loud, continues for long periods, or occurs at inappropriate times.
Is noise always acceptable outside of the prohibited times?
No. Noise must not be unreasonable at any time during the day. Noise in the day or evening that continues for too long, or is too loud might be unreasonable. Noise that disturbs neighbours throughout their living and recreation areas is likely to be a problem. All reasonable steps should be taken to reduce and control noise.
Are there standards for daytime residential noise?
Residential noise might be unreasonable depending on its volume, intensity and duration, and the time, place and circumstances in which it is emitted. Noise can be unreasonable based on any of these elements. EPA has noise level guidelines for daytime and evening noise from equipment such as air conditioners and pool pumps. See the Noise Control Guidelines (publication 1254) and Cool Air, Quietly and Efficiently on the noise publications page.
Can activities not listed in the Regulations and voices be unreasonable?
Yes. Such noise might be unreasonable when it is discretionary or could be easily controlled. For example, a group of people talking outdoors late at night, keeping neighbours awake, or noisy maintenance work using tools not listed in the Regulations.
Are water pumps being used to fill a header tank covered under the Regulations?
Yes. A water pump being used to fill a header tank (e.g. collecting river or bore water, or moving water between two tanks) fall under general electric equipment in group five of the Regulations.
Do the new Regulations apply to water pumps connected to sanitary fixtures?
Yes. EPA expects that pumps serving sanitary systems can be used at any time, because routine installation should make them inaudible. If a pump is audible because of inappropriate location or installation, then the Regulations provide a trigger to address the disturbance. This gives flexibility and responsibility to the pump owner and protects others from unreasonable noise.
Am I able to work on a residential construction site (e.g. home renovation, building houses or apartments) within the prohibited times?
Site preparation, such as moving materials before 7am weekdays or 9am weekends, would likely be unreasonable if it was loud enough to disturb neighbours during sensitive times. It is an offence to cause unreasonable noise and penalties can apply under the Environment Protection Act 1970. In some cases, quietly conducted preparation or work such as painting, away from neighbouring bedrooms, might be acceptable. It is suggested that you talk with your neighbours when planning construction work.
Who is responsible for helping to manage residential noise issues?
Often the best approach for dealing with noisy neighbours is to talk to them and work together on a solution to settle the problem. Police or your local council can also assist. Please see Annoyed by Noise for more information.