Noise is part of everyday life, but it shouldn’t disrupt others’ comfort or enjoyment of their home.
If you’re making noise, please be mindful of the time, volume and how long it continues. Excessive noise from residential properties can lead to fines if it unreasonably impacts others.
There are rules around when certain equipment can be used under the Environmental Management and Pollution Control (Noise) Regulations 2016. However, even within these times, noise can still be considered a nuisance depending on the situation.
If noise is bothering you, try these steps first:
- Have a friendly conversation with the person making the noise — they may not realise it’s an issue
- Agree on reasonable times or ways to reduce the impact
- Allow some time for the issue to be resolved
If the issue continues:
- Contact us to lodge a complaint – please note anonymous complaints can be difficult to follow up.
- For noise outside hours, you can contact Tasmania Police 131 444.
See Report a nuisance page for details on how we investigate noise complaints.
Below are the times when certain noisy activities are not permitted.
Music
Noise from music can become a nuisance when it’s too loud, too frequent, or occurs at unreasonable hours, impacting others’ comfort and enjoyment of their home.
For noise outside hours, you can contact Tasmania Police 131 444.
Below are the permissible hours.
| Day | Permissible hours |
|---|---|
| Monday to Thursday | 7am to 10pm |
| Friday | 7am to 12am |
| Saturday | 9am to 12am |
| Sunday and public holidays: | 10am to 10pm |
Machinery
Machinery noise outside of the times below can be reported–this includes machinery such as mobile machinery, forklifts, trucks, power tools, cement mixers etc.
| Day | Permissible hours |
|---|---|
| Monday to Friday | 7am to 6pm |
| Saturday | 8am to 6pm |
| Sunday and public holidays: | 10am to 6pm |
Lawn mowers
Mowing your lawns outside of the below times can results in a noise complaint:
| Day | Permissible hours |
|---|---|
| Monday to Friday | 7am to 8pm |
| Saturday | 9am to 8pm |
| Sunday and public holidays: | 10am to 8pm |
Cars
This includes cars, motorcycles, trucks, boats and outboard motors. Noise from a vehicle entering or leaving a residential property is generally exempt under the noise regulations. This includes normal engine noise and revving associated with moving the vehicle.
If the noise is coming from public road please contact Tas Police 131 444 or State Growth.
| Day | Permissible hours |
|---|---|
| Monday to Friday | 7am to 6pm |
| Saturday | 9am to 6pm |
| Sunday and public holidays: | 10am to 6pm |
Chainsaw
Chainsaw’s can only be used for one day a week (or 7 consecutive days) for domestic garden maintenance in residential location.
If chainsaw use is not on a residential property, it must not be within 300 metres of a residential property unless approved by City of Clarence.
| Day | Permissible hours |
|---|---|
| Monday to Friday | 7am to 6pm |
| Saturday | 9am to 6pm |
| Sunday and public holidays: | 10am to 6pm |
Chickens and rooster noise
Be considerate of your neighbours by preventing noise between 7.00pm-7.00am
People who live in different areas will have different expectations of the types of noise that will occur. In a rural area it would be reasonable to expect that poultry, including a rooster, would be kept by a property owner. However, in a residential area, it could be considered unreasonable.
If noise from a rooster is affecting you, the first step is to speak with your neighbour. They may not realise the noise is causing a problem, and many issues can be resolved through a friendly conversation.
If the issue continues, you can report a noise complaint.. You will need to provide a noise diary to help us assess the situation.
Recreational vehicles
Recreational vehicles (e.g. trail bikes, quad bikes etc.) must not be operated within 500m of residential property.
For recreational vehicle nuisance on private land: Please contact us.
Recreational vehicle nuisance on public land (parks and roads): Please contact Tas Police 131 444. you also can contact Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000.
Recreational dirt bike facilities (motocross tracks) and clubs provide safe, legal places for riders. It is your responsibility to know who manages the land you are riding on and to make sure you are riding legally. For more information on local groups and information please contact:
- Motorcycle Enduro Riders Club
- Southern Junior Dirt Bike Club
- Southern Tasmanian Motor Cycle Association
- Sustainable Timber Tasmania (permits required)
Petrol-Powered Bicycles
These bikes are known as ICE bicycles, as they’re fitted with internal combustion engines. They can travel at high speeds and tend to be dangerous, noisy and a risk to the rider and the broader community.
It is illegal to ride an ICE bicycle on Tasmanian roads (unless registered), bike paths, parks and reserves.
To report illegal bike use
- For non-urgent assistance please contact Tasmania Police 131 444.
- Or submit an anonymous crime report to Crime Stoppers Tasmania: 1800 333 000
- To report nuisance trail bike riding on private land, contact us or 03 6217 9500 or report an issue.
Fixed equipment
Noise problems usually occur when the effects of noise emission from the outdoor parts of fixed equipment (such as heat pumps) are not carefully considered when selecting its location, such as facing it directly at a neighbour’s window.
For more detail, please visit Guidelines for Heat Pumps and Air Conditioners.