Everyone has a responsibility to ensure that
noise
is controlled to a reasonable level. You
can be a good neighbour by:
making sure that your burglar
alarm cuts off after 15 minutes
making sure your car alarm is
installed correctly and isn’t over sensitive or faulty
telling your neighbours in
advance if you’re having a party
telling your neighbours if you
have any planned work on your property that may be noisy for a
considerable period
turn down loud noise at a
reasonable hour at night
don’t start noisy equipment early
in the mornings or late in the evenings
Under the
Resource Management Act, the Council has the power to control excessive
or unreasonable noise. The Council provides a 24 hour, 7 day noise
control service in response to complaints.
Excessive or
unreasonable noise is any noise that is under human control and of such
a nature as to unreasonably interfere with the peace, comfort and
convenience of other people. Examples generally include a loud party,
stereo, band practices, audible alarm or machinery.
There is no
set level for acceptable noise as the level of noise varies according to
the location of your neighbours, time of day, where you live or work,
the presence of sound barriers and the type of noise. The same noise
levels during the day may not be acceptable at night.
You
should report the excessive noise while it’s happening. You can do this
by calling our Customer Services Centre on 09 295 1300 day or night.
After hours, you will be diverted to our Noise Control Centre. The noise
maker is not advised of who made the complaint.
After
receiving a noise complaint, our Noise Control Officer will then visit
the premises to assess the noise and determine whether it is
unreasonable. If there is excessive noise, a verbal or written direction
to reduce the noise to a reasonable level will be issued. In general,
this stops the excessive noise immediately.
If the request to
reduce excessive noise is ignored, the offender will be served with a
notice requiring them to stop the noise for 72 hours. If further
excessive noise complaints are received, the Council may impound stereos
or any other offending equipment to stop the noise.
