Noise control

If you have a noisy neighbour, try talking to them first. If you can’t resolve the problem, phone us on 477 4000. We are available 24 hours and an officer will respond to excessive noise (such as music) at the time of the complaint.

At times you may be asked to call back after 30 minutes to confirm that the noise is still happening.

Residential noise complaints - such as those involving parties, and music - need to be lodged when the noise is occurring.

To help the Noise Control Officer locate the noise and make an assessment we need you to provide an accurate description of where the noise is coming from, especially if the noise originates from the back of a property, down a driveway, or somewhere not that obvious.

Under the Resource Management Act 1991 (Section 326) the noise is subjectively assessed by the Noise Control Officer so it is not necessary to use measuring equipment to decide if the noise is excessive. To judge if the noise is excessive or not, they will consider:

• The volume
• The time of day
• The type of noise.

How to prevent a noise complaint when playing music or having a party

There are many steps you can take to reduce noise and show consideration for your neighbours.

​Parties, music, and television

• Let your neighbours know in advance about your upcoming party; consider inviting them to the event and let them know what time the party will go to.
• Minimise noise from your property by keeping doors and windows closed.
• Turn down your music at a reasonable hour at night.
• Deep bass sound travels easily and is a source of many noise complaints so keep the bass control low.
• Register your party with ‘Good One’ Good One Party Register Please note that even if you register your party, the noise rules still apply.

Musical instruments/band practice

• Schedule practice times to avoid the early morning and late evening.
• Keep the volume low and play for short lengths of time.
• Talk to your neighbours and agree to suitable practice times.
• Try to find a non-residential space to practice in, for example, in a commercial zone. Otherwise, it may be possible to soundproof your residential room. We recommend you seek advice from a suitably qualified expert and consult with DCC Building Services to ensure your plans are compliant with the Building Act 2004.

Inner city living

Permitted noise levels are higher in the inner-city area to allow business, commercial and industrial activities to take place. People living in these areas can expect to experience higher noise levels than those in residential or rural zones. Whilst Noise Control will still respond to noise complaints, they may not be able to assist with some noise complaints in these areas.  This can be a complex area so please don’t hesitate to contact Environmental Health to discuss your concerns.

Excessive noise directions (ENDs) and seizures

If the Noise Control Officer decides the noise is too loud, they may issue an Excessive Noise Direction (END) which will last for 8 days. If there are more noise complaints during that time, they will visit the site again to determine if the noise is still excessive and to take further action if necessary. It is therefore important you continue to lodge complaints if the noise continues.

If the Noise Control Officer finds the noise excessive for a second time within the 8 day period, they may seize the noise equipment and/or issue a $1000 fine.  The Police must be present to seize equipment so there may be a delay at busy times.

How to get your seized equipment back

Environmental Health only returns equipment if we are satisfied it will not be used to create further noise problems.

To request your property back, you need to:

• contact us on 477 4000 to arrange an appointment
• complete an Application for Return of Property form
• pay all costs relating to the seizure (call outs, storage, administration, and delivery).

​Bring to your appointment:

• proof of identity, such as a driver’s licence or passport
• the original copy of the seizure notice (so we return the property to the rightful owner).

Seized equipment is not held at the council building so you will need to collect it from another location. Details for this will be provided to you when you come into the council.

Examples of industrial, commercial, or mechanical noise could include:

• A factory or industrial noise
• Heat pumps, pool pumps or ventilation fans

Activities in these zones of the city have noise rules they have to comply with under the District Plan and the Resource Management Act 1991 (Section 16). Noise Control do not typically respond to these types of noise complaints, so it is recommended you contact Environmental Health to discuss any concerns. If there is a noise issue an Environmental Health Officer may need to conduct noise measurements to establish whether there is a breach of the permitted noise levels.

The noise measurements will need to comply with New Zealand Noise Standards so an Environmental Health Officer may need to access your property and set up noise measuring equipment. Several visits may be needed depending on the nature of the noise and to ensure conditions are suitable for noise monitoring. Phones and basic sound level meters do not meet the New Zealand Noise Standards.

If the noise is found to be unreasonable or in breach of the District Plan rules, the operator responsible for the activity will be asked to reduce the noise to a reasonable level. If this is ignored, an abatement notice can be issued, and enforcement action taken.

Noise associated with construction (and demolition) is controlled under the Construction Noise Standards (NZS6803) which set limits for noise at certain times of the day. These standards allow for most forms of construction noise during daytime hours (7.30am – 6.00pm). In commercial and industrial areas noisy work may also be permitted at night.

Some construction projects may also have a resource consent which can allow for different noise levels or working hours. There may be times when work at night is unavoidable, e.g., emergencies like burst water mains or road works where traffic would be too problematic during the daytime.

The construction noise rules do not apply when the noise is associated with normal residential household activities like home handy work, undertaken intermittently and at reasonable times.

This can be a complex area so please don’t hesitate to contact Environmental Health to discuss your concerns.

There are times when our Noise Control service cannot assist, such as:

• When unplanned emergency works, like burst water mains, require immediate attention.
• Noise between tenants with the same landlord. This is covered by the Residential Tenancies Act 1996.
• Moving vehicles like cars, trains, boats/ships, and aircraft. Noise from ships moored at the Port are covered by Port Otago.
• Events such as concerts that are approved via resource consents.
• Barking dogs. Animal Services can respond to these complaints for you.

Noise from other animals such as poultry is covered by the Keeping of Animals Bylaw Keeping of Animals Bylaw. Environmental Health can respond to these complaints for you.