Noise
Find out about permitted noise, how to make a noise complaint and investigations.
Noise
Noise is defined as unwanted sound. It can cause a disturbance and can affect the health and amenity of surrounding residents.
If you have a concern about noise in your neighbourhood, the City recommends you first approach your neighbour to explain how the noise is affecting you. Often your neighbours may not even realise that they are disturbing other residents. Negotiate with your neighbours and keep each other informed of any potentially noisy events such as parties.
The Environmental Protection (Noise) Regulations 1997 specify assigned noise levels that should not be exceeded. These levels vary depending on the time of day and the day of the week, and become strict after 7pm and stricter past 10pm. If you can hear noise from your property at your boundary line past 10pm the levels are almost certainly above the permitted levels and may be impacting your neighbour.
Restrictions
For certain activities, there are exemptions from the noise regulations if they are done in accordance with set conditions. Where noise is emitted outside of the assigned noise levels or not in accordance with these set conditions, it is deemed to be unreasonable.
The below table outlines some of these conditions:
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Noise complaints and investigation
Noise Investigation Request (Form)If you are unsuccessful in resolving the matter with your neighbour, you can lodge a formal complaint for the City's Health Services team to investigate. You will need to complete and return a Noise investigation request form including the noise log sheet. It is recommended that you complete the log sheet with as much detail as possible. This will ensure that the matter can be handled promptly.
Noise Investigation Log Sheet (to be submitted with a completed Noise Investigation Request form)
The City's Health Services can assist with enquiries about the following types of noise sources, and investigate complaints regarding:
Stereo noise and music instruments
Construction noise, commercial and industrial noise
Hand held equipment (including lawn mowers, hammers etc)
Roosters and other noisy birds
Air conditioner units and other equipment noise
Alarms
See also: Barking dogs (investigated by our Rangers team)
The City’s Health Services cannot investigate noise associated with:
Aircraft noise - contact Air Service Australia
Rail noise – contact the Public Transport Authority
Road noise – contact the Department of Transport and Main Roads
Antisocial behaviour*
Certain community events
Loud parties*
*Please contact the Local Police for advice and assistance on 131 444.
Information sheets
For further information on specific noise issues, please see the information sheets below.
Info - Neighbourhood Noise Information Guide - Sheet 1 - Musical Instruments, Loud Music (1)
3.86 MB
Info - Neighbourhood Noise Information Guide - Sheet 2 - Noise Loud Parties
314.45 KB
Info - Neighbourhood Noise Information Guide - Sheet 3 - Roosters, Other Noisy Birds
3.83 MB
Info - Neighbourhood Noise Information Guide - Sheet 4 - Construction Noise
1.08 MB
Info - Neighbourhood Noise Information Guide - Sheet 5 - Air Conditioning
3.88 MB
Info - Neighbourhood Noise Information Guide - Sheet 6 - Specified Equipment Residential
3.89 MB
Info - Neighbourhood Noise Information Guide - Sheet 7 - Alarms
1.09 MB
If you require further information, please contact the City's Health Services on 9394 5000 or via email at info@armadale.wa.gov.au.