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How to prevent a noise complaint

There are many steps you can take to reduce noise and show consideration for your neighbours. Contact us to find out the noise levels permitted for your property.

Parties, music and television

Let your neighbours know in advance about your upcoming party or invite them to the event.
Minimise noise from your property by keeping doors and windows closed.
Turn down noise at a reasonable hour at night.
Keep the bass control low. Deep bass sound travels easily and is a source of many noise complaints.

Musical instruments

Amplified instruments or drums can be annoying for neighbours.

Schedule practice times to avoid the early morning or late evening.
Keep the volume low and play for reasonable lengths of time.
Liaise with neighbours to agree on suitable practice times.
Practicing in a residential area is possible if you're in a room with sound insulation. If not, try to find a non-residential space to practice in, for example, in a commercial or industrial zone.

Animals

See Report excessive dog barking and How to control barking for information on dog barking noise.
Roosters cannot be kept in urban areas due to noise concerns from crowing.

Gardening and DIY work

Use noisy power tools at a reasonable time of day, between 7am to 10pm Monday to Saturday, and 9am to 6pm on Sundays.
Tell your neighbours of planned work on your property that may be noisy.

Lawn mowing

Lawn mowing is acceptable during daylight hours. You should not start prior to 7am or after 10pm.

Heat pumps, air conditioning units and pool pumps

The Auckland Unitary Plan (PDF 462KB) defines the noise standards pumps/units will need to comply with, on both residential and commercial properties

Avoid installing pumps close to neighbouring bedrooms and living areas.
See Install a heat pump for guidance on avoiding noise complaints.

Alarms

Make sure your burglar alarm stops ringing after 15 minutes . Check your reserve batteries are fully charged.
Install and maintain your car and burglar alarm correctly so they are not overly sensitive or faulty.

Home-based businesses

When operating a business at home on a residential property, the activity should:

be carried out in accordance the Auckland Unitary Plan
be within a building on the site and should operate within residential noise limits
involve noise insulation if regular tool and machinery use is involved.

Other businesses

The Auckland Unitary Plan (PDF 462KB) defines the noise standards businesses are expected to comply with - and these can vary between zones.
Excessive or unreasonable noise is generally unacceptable at any time.

Concerts

Every concert has specific criteria to be adhered to. This includes resource consent conditions or conditions in the Auckland Unitary Plan.
Outdoor concerts are generally permitted providing they meet certain noise standards and specified finishing times.
Noise from these events is often monitored.

Buskers

Busking is permitted in public places as long as the busker holds a current Auckland Council street performance licence.
You can play any instrument, use a public address system or amplified sound devices on any day between 7am and 9pm, as long as you comply with the conditions of the Trading and Events in Public Places Bylaw 2015.
Sound performances in areas designated by us can have extended hours.
You must comply with our instructions on site and must move or cease performing if requested by a nearby building occupant.

As a guideline, sound levels from any street performance act should not:

disturb customers or staff of a nearby businesses
be greater than the usual background noise when heard from 30m away (horizontal or vertical) away.