Large-scale residential construction in residential zones include construction of apartments and mixed-use development, or multiple dwellings on a subdivision. 

The Environment Protection (Residential Noise) Regulations 2018 (the Regulations) apply to large-scale residential construction in a residential zone. 

Prohibited times under the Regulations

The Regulations prohibit noise from construction equipment, on weekdays – before 7 am and after 8 pm. On weekends – before 9 am and after 8 pm. This is if a neighbouring resident can hear it in their home. However continuous, noisy work throughout these non-prohibited times can still be unreasonable.

Our advice for normal working hours

Our advice is to follow normal working hours to manage construction noise and help to prevent unreasonable noise. These are: 

• weekdays – 7 am to 6 pm  
• Saturday – 9 am to 1 pm. 

A later Saturday finishing time may be acceptable for sites with a 9 am start. The local council can manage decisions on these issues, with EPA’s advice where required. 

Other noise requirements

There are other noise requirements that apply to large-scale residential construction activities, including management roles and measures to reduce noise. For more information, see Civil construction, building and demolition guide (publication 1834), this guide helps you manage noise from residential developments.

Councils enforce residential construction site noise guidelines. They do this through permits and local laws, or as a reference in compliance decisions under the Environment Protection Act 1970.  

Large-scale multi-storey residential construction in non-residential zones are residential or mixed-use buildings under construction that are:

• at least four storeys above ground, or two storeys below ground  
• in a non-residential zone such as business zones and special purpose zones, but not a mixed-use zone.  

Large-scale multi-storey residential construction in non-residential zones is exempt from the Environment Protection (Residential Noise) Regulations 2018. However, if part of the building is being renovated and another part of the building is occupied, the exemption doesn’t apply. Instead, these sites are like commercial construction and the Civil construction, building and demolition guide (publication 1834) applies. This guide describes how to manage noise so it is not unreasonable under s48A of the Environment Protection Act 1970.

Our advice for normal working hours

The normal working hours for large residential construction in non-residential areas are: 

• weekdays – 7 am to 6 pm  
• Saturday – 7 am to 1 pm.

Environment Protection (Residential Noise) Regulations 2018 (the Regulations) apply to construction of houses and small unit developments. 

Prohibited times under the Regulations

The Regulations prohibit noise from construction equipment, on weekdays – before 7 am and after 8 pm. On weekends – before 9 am and after 8 pm. This is if a neighbour can hear it in their home. However continuous, noisy work throughout these non-prohibited times can still be unreasonable.  

Our advice for normal working hours

Our advice is to follow normal working hours to manage construction noise and help to prevent unreasonable noise. These are: 

• weekdays – 7 am to 6 pm  
• Saturday – 9 am to 1 pm. 

More ways to prevent unreasonable noise

Other ways to prevent unreasonable noise when building individual houses or small unit developments include managing: 

• work hours – avoid doing noisy work, seven days a week. Where projects need longer work hours, schedule quieter work for between 6 pm and 8 pm or on weekends 
• site preparation – avoid early morning site preparation works, such as moving materials, before 7 am weekdays or 9 am weekends  
• noisier work – arrange for short-term, noisier activities to occur later in the workday, not early in the morning. Give regular short breaks, or a longer break during the workday 
• morning truck movements and concrete pours – manage deliveries so they occur within normal working hours. If vehicles arrive shortly before the normal work times, turn the engines off
• behaviour – loud talking early in the morning can disturb neighbours as much as the work itself. Keep voices to a minimum before 7 am weekdays and 9 am weekends.