Environmental Health

Noise Control Services

Noise, simply stated, is any unwanted sound. We respond to complaints about noise in the community when the noise interferes with your peace, comfort and convenience.

The noise control provisions under the Resource Management Act 1991 and District Plan are designed to:

• Protect the public from excessive or unreasonable noise.
• Protect the rights of people and industry.
• Set out obligations for all of us to keep noise to a reasonable level.

Noise in your neighbourhood

Everybody should expect some degree of noise in their neighbourhood from time to time. We do not regulate everyday activities such as mowing lawns, building construction, road repairs etc. While such noise may be a nuisance to you temporarily, provided the hours of operation are reasonable, we may not necessarily respond to such complaints.
There are specific situations where noise is not covered by the Resource Management Act 1991 but controlled by other agencies. These include:

• Barking dogs - contact Animal Control, Timaru District Council, Phone: 6877200
• Noisy vehicles on the road - contact the Traffic Safety Branch of the New Zealand Police
• Noise within a work place - contact the Department of Labour

Sometimes there is noise that may be annoying but is considered reasonable. Below we have explained the categories so you can decide whether you need to ring us or perhaps wait for a while to see if the problem resolves.

• Unreasonable noise
• Excessive noise
• HOW to avoid complaints
• responding to noise complaints

Unreasonable noise

This is noise associated with commercial or industrial activities. It usually cannot be reduced or abated immediately without interfering with the business at hand. For example, a noisy machine cannot simply be turned off as it may affect product output, or interfere with health and safety.

Our city is divided into zones depending on their general characteristics. Each zone is allocated noise levels within which all businesses/activities must operate. For example, industrial zones are allocated higher noise limits in comparison to residential zones. These noise levels are stated in the District Plan and require monitoring with sound level equipment. 

Excessive noise

This is noise created by domestic activities such as:

• Musical instruments.
• Electrical appliances.
• Machinery, however powered.
• Person or groups of people.
• Explosion or vibration.  

These types of noise-producing activities can easily be reduced or stopped immediately. The vast majority of noise complaints fall into this category.

The assessment of excessive noise is subjective, that is to say a Noise Control Officer will simply listen to the noise level and decided whether it is excessive. Several factors are taken into consideration when assessing the noise.  Noise measuring equipment is not required to assess excessive noise.

If a complaint has been lodged and a noise source is considered to be excessive, we will request the person responsible for making the noise to reduce it to a more reasonable level. This request is initially given verbally but can also be given by way of a written notice called an Excessive Noise Direction, this remains in force for 72 hours.

If the noise is not immediately reduced or becomes excessive again within the 72-hour period, we may enter the property, with Police assistance, and seize the noise making equipment.

This will result in a permanent abatement notice being issued on the property. This notice remains on the property until the property owner makes a written request for removal of notice or until an appeal is lodged and decided on by the courts.

Impounded equipment will  be returned when the applicant has paid all costs that have incurred in the seizing, transporting and storage of the equipment.

How to Avoid Complaints

The vast majority of noise complaints in the community involve neighbours playing loud music or having noisy parties, particularly during the night and at weekends. Fortunately, most cases can be easily remedied with a little neighbourly consideration.

If you're planning a party or like playing music loud, here are a few handy hints that may stop your neighbours becoming irritated and lodging a noise complaint:

• Tell your neighbours you are having a party well in advance and give them some idea of what time it is likely to finish. People tend to be more tolerant if they know around what time the noise is likely to stop. You could even invite them!
  

• Keep your music equipment inside and keep doors and windows closed. Ask your guests to keep their noise down when entering and leaving your home.

• If you want to enjoy your garden with the radio or other music, keep the radio close to you and keep the level down. Don't blast the music out through open windows while you sit at the bottom of your garden!

• Check in with your neighbours before band practice especially in residential areas.  Keep the sessions short and restrict them to daylight hours.

Responding to Noise Complaints

All excessive noise complaints are actioned by a contracted security company. Written reports are completed for every complaint investigated. These reports contain confidential information for any enquiries or follow up action that may be necessary.