The Wellington region will moved to Orange Level on Friday 3 December.
Read morePlease access our enquiry form below.
Bin Enquiry FormUnder the Resource Management Act 1991 (PDF 163 kb) everyone is responsible for the noise that they make, and the noise must not be unreasonable or excessive.
The usual types of complaints that we deal with are:
We can send out a Noise Officer to assess the noise. If the officer decides that it's excessive, we can issue a noise direction that means the noise maker needs to reduce the volume straight away.
Noise from construction or DIY work is allowed to be louder than usual, but only during set times on specific days of the week.
The rules for hours of construction work are:
Days | Times | Examples |
Monday to Friday | 6.30am to 7.30am | Set up/prepare for work – no noisy construction |
Monday to Friday | 7.30am to 6.00pm | Construction work permitted |
Monday to Friday | 6.00pm to 8.00pm | Work can continue but no noisy construction |
Saturday | 7.30am to 6.00pm | Construction work permitted |
Sunday & Public Holidays | At all times | No noisy construction allowed |
Many people see the weekend as an opportunity to carry out construction work, but Sundays and public holidays should be avoided. This is because workers are entitled to a day of relative rest from work-life stresses.
It's difficult to relax when loud construction is taking place with hammering or heavy machinery, or if people are using equipment like circular saws, electric planes, chainsaws and grinders. You should talk to your neighbours and/or any affected people about noisy construction work before you start.
Construction noise information sheet (PDF 169 kb)
Usually noise complaints about an industrial or commercial business's usual activities will need to be monitored with a Sound Level Meter by an Environmental Health Officer. The Lower Hutt District Plan details the noise performance standards for industrial and commercial activity across Lower Hutt.
Here's who to contact for other types of noise complaints:
Barking dogs are dealt with by our Animal Services team. Find out how to complain about an animal.
Heat pumps have the potential to exceed what's considered to be a reasonable noise level and create a nuisance, particularly at night-time and when they're located close to a property boundary. Take special care when you're deciding on a location for your heat pump.
For vehicles being driven on a road, contact your local Police station or check the Police website.
Noise control for protecting employees and visitors is dealt with by WorkSafe New Zealand.
Try talking to the noise maker first (eg. if it's a neighbour) to see if you can resolve the noise problem.
To make a noise complaint:
Information sheet on Noise Control (PDF 337KB)