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Noise standards

Noise is regulated under the Environment Protection Act 1997 and the Environment Protection Regulation 2005. Noise is measured in decibels and how the human ear perceives sound, called dB(A). The Noise Environment Protection Policy [PDF 429KB] and Noise Measurement Manual detail how the EPA administers the Act and Regulation and measures noise.

The ACT is divided into noise zones, each with its own noise standard for day and night-time. The zones are based on the zoning in the Territory Plan.

View the Noise zone map.

Permissible noise

Some common sounds and their dB(A):

  • Angle grinder: 100 dB(A)
  • Food blender: 90 dB(A)
  • Lawn mower: 70 dB(A)
  • Vacuum cleaner: 60 dB(A)
  • Washing machine: 50 dB(A)
  • Leaves rustling: 30 dB(A)

Depending on where you live, these are the acceptable noise standards.

Civic centre and town centres (Belconnen, Gungahlin, Tuggeranong and Woden )

Monday to Thursday:

  • 7 am to 10 pm: 60 dB(A)
  • 10 pm to 7 am: 50 dB(A)

Friday and Saturday:

  • 7 am to midnight: 60 dB(A)
  • Midnight to 7 am: 50 dB(A)

Sunday and public holidays:

  • 8 am to 10 pm: 60 dB(A)
  • 10 pm to 8 am: 50 dB(A)

Group centres such as Griffith, Kippax, Kingston and Erindale

Monday to Thursday:

  • 7 am to 10 pm: 55 dB(A)
  • 10 pm to 7 am: 45 dB(A)

Friday and Saturday:

  • 7 am to 11 pm: 55 dB(A)
  • 11 pm to 7 am: 45 dB(A)

Sunday and public holidays:

  • 8 pm to 10 pm: 55 dB(A)
  • All other hours: 45 dB(A)

Smaller local centres such as Lyneham, Farrer, Richardson and Evatt

Monday to Saturday:

  • 7 am to 10 pm: 50 dB(A)
  • 10 pm to 7 am: 35 dB(A)

Sunday and public holidays:

  • 8 am to 10 pm: 50 dB(A)
  • All other hours: 35 dB(A)

Residential areas

Monday to Saturday:

  • 7 am to 10 pm: 45 dB(A)
  • 10 pm to 7 am: 35 dB(A)

Sunday and public holidays:

  • 8 am to 10 pm: 45 dB(A)
  • All other hours: 35 dB(A)

Acceptable noise above the standard

Some activities make noise above the permitted standards as they are typical and accepted parts of life.

These activities may be conducted in residential areas if they comply with certain conditions.

Government-managed activities like garbage collection, grass mowing and street sweeping happen on a schedule.

Garbage collection in residential areas

This activity may exceed noise standards on any day between 5 am and 10 pm.

Warming up of motor vehicle engines

This activity may exceed noise standards at any time on any day, but for no longer than 5 minutes unless specified in the vehicle’s operating manual.

Building intruder alarm

This activity may exceed noise standards on any day for no longer than:

  • 5 minutes if installed after December 1997
  • 10 minutes if installed before December 1997.

Motor vehicle intruder alarm

This activity may exceed noise standards on any day for no longer than:

  • 45 seconds for vehicles manufactured after September 1997
  • 90 seconds for vehicles manufactured before September 1997.

New Year’s Eve parties

This activity may exceed noise standards from 6 pm on 31 December to 12:30 am on 1 January.

The noise must not exceed 60 dB(A) at the property boundary.

Garden maintenance including lawnmowers and garden equipment

This activity may exceed noise standards from:

  • Monday to Saturday: 7 am to 8 pm
  • Sunday and public holidays: 8 am to 8 pm

The equipment must be maintained according to the manufacturer’s specifications.

Maintenance or repair work including the use of power tools

This activity may exceed noise standards from:

  • Monday to Saturday: 7 am to 8 pm
  • Sunday and public holidays: 8 am to 8 pm

Noise exceeding the standard may only be emitted for up to 40 hours in any 8-week period.

The equipment must be maintained according to the manufacturer’s specifications.

Building work in residential areas

If completed in less than 2 weeks, this activity may exceed noise standards from:

  • Monday to Saturday: 7 am to 8 pm
  • Sunday and public holidays: 8 am to 8 pm

If work takes more than 2 weeks, this activity may exceed noise standards from:

  • Monday to Saturday: 7 am to 6 pm

No noise exceeding the standards is allowed on Sunday and public holidays.

Building work in industrial, city and town centre areas

This activity may exceed noise standards on any day between 6 am and 8 pm.

Different noise standards may apply for certain activities if a residence:

  • borders non-residential land, for example a residential block adjacent to local shops
  • is located on non-residential land.

Commercial garbage collection

This activity may exceed noise standards:

  • in industrial areas at any time on any day
  • in city and town centre areas on any day between 2 am and 10 pm
  • in Manuka and Kingston group centres between 5 am and 10 pm
  • in all other group centres between 6 am and 10 pm

Different noise standards may apply for certain activities if a residence:

  • borders non-residential land, for example a residential block adjacent to local shops
  • is located on non-residential land.

Managing noise

We all have responsibilities to be mindful of the comfort and safety of everyone in the community.

Read about residential noise.

Industry and business have obligations when it comes to noise from their activity or their customers.

Read about business and workplace noise.