Residential noise

Residential noise is noise from a residential premises or property. It's one of the most common sources of noise. It includes noise from:

houses
Airbnbs
worker accommodation
residential properties
any land, buildings or outbuildings used in connection with a residence, such as driveways, sheds and workshops.

Residential noise includes noise from everyday household activities – for example:

air conditioners
lawn mowers and leaf blowers
music
parties or entertaining
power tools used for home repairs or maintenance
stereos or radios
televisions
vehicle idling, maintenance and repair.

Residential noise includes repairs and maintenance to an existing building. It does not include noise from constructing, demolishing or removing a residential building.

Residential noise and the law

The general environmental duty applies to managing residential noise.

Noise must not be unreasonable. Residential noise is unreasonable if:

it happens during prohibited times, and
someone in a habitable room in any other residence can hear it.

A habitable room is any room in the house except:

kitchens
pantries
bathrooms
toilets
laundry rooms
storage areas.

A council officer may still assess residential noise to be unreasonable even if it's within the allowed times. They do this if the noise has qualities that makes it unreasonable – for example, if it has unnecessarily excessive volume.

Prohibited times for residential noise

Regulation 114 of the Environment Protection Regulations 2021(opens in a new window) sets out:

specific sources of residential noise (prescribed items)
times they are not allowed to be heard in your neighbour's home.

Group	Prescribed items	Prohibited times
1	motor vehicles, except when entering or leaving residential premises personal watercraft or vessels, such as boats lawnmowers or other grass-cutting devices equipment with an internal combustion engine not in group 2	weekdays before 7 am and after 8 pm weekends and public holidays before 9 am and after 8 pm
2	electric power tools, chainsaws or circular saws gas or air compressors pneumatic power tools, hammers or other impacting tools or grinding equipment	weekdays before 7 am and after 8 pm weekends and public holidays before 9 am and after 8 pm
3	swimming pool, spa or water pumps (except when used to fill a header tank) home heaters, including central heating, hot water systems or a heat pump, air conditioner or split system used for heating vacuum cleaners	weekdays before 7 am and after 10 pm weekends and public holidays before 9 am and after 10 pm
4	air conditioners, evaporative coolers or split systems used for cooling	weekdays before 7 am and after 11 pm weekends and public holidays before 9 am and after 11 pm. During a heat health warning(opens in a new window), you can use your air conditioner at any time.
5	musical instruments electrical audio goods, including stereos, radios, TVs and public address systems	Monday to Thursday before 7 am and after 10 pm Friday before 7 am and after 11 pm Saturday and public holidays before 9 am and after 11 pm Sunday before 9 am and after 10 pm
6	electrical equipment (including gardening tools) that are: not in group 2, 3, 4 or 5 not for personal care or grooming, or food heating, cooling or preparation.	weekdays before 7 am and after 8 pm weekends and public holidays before 9 am and after 8 pm.

Exceptions to prohibited times

The prohibited times in the Environment Protection Regulations 2021 do not apply when:

you need to use equipment in an emergency
you run your air conditioner during a Department of Health heat health warning(opens in a new window).

A council officer may still assess noise from an air conditioner to be unreasonable even during a heat health warning. They do this if the noise has qualities that make it unreasonable.

Our role in residential noise

We administer residential noise regulations.

We develop guidance for local government to assess residential noise and investigate complaints, including:

We also advise local government on the best way to apply the law.

We do not investigate reports of residential noise – this is the role of your local council. Learn more about Who we work with.

Impact of noise on your health

Noise can be annoying or disturbing. If the noise continues for a long time or is too loud, it can affect your health and wellbeing. Learn more about noise and your health.

Updated 23 May 2025