Te haere tonu o ngā raru whakaturituri Ongoing problems with noise

When you call us, we need an accurate description of the noise source location. This helps our control officer locate the noise and make the fairest assessment.

Ongoing excessive noise issues can be difficult to prevent. 

Residential noise complaints - such as those involving people, parties and music - need to be made as and when noise occurs. Action can only be taken when the noise is happening. 

We use Section 16 of the Resource Management Act 1991 to take enforcement action against excessive noise, based on an officer's assessment.

If the noise is assessed as excessive, the Act allows the noise control officer to issue an Excessive Noise Direction (END) notice, which requires excessive noise to stop for eight days. This was extended from 72 hours in August 2025 by an amendment to the Resource Management Act 1991.

If excessive noise happens again within eight days, we may take enforcement action. This could include:

• a $1000 fine for an individual 
• a $2000 fine for a company 
• seizure of the noise-making equipment with police assistance.

After the eight days has elapsed, a new noise complaint will need to be made and, if found excessive again, a new END notice needs to be served.

Further incidences of excessive noise need to be reported as they occur and be re-assessed. In each instance, you need to call us on 09 301 0101 so an officer can be dispatched to assess the noise.

• If they are approachable, try talking to your neighbour. Often noise issues can be solved with a friendly chat.
• If it is a tenanted property, talk to the landlord or property manager. Under the Residential Tenancies Act, a landlord can issue a 14-day notice for tenants that cause disturbance to the neighbourhood.
• If the noise originates from the back of a property, down a driveway, or somewhere where the noise is screened or reflected, our noise control officer may not have heard it from the road. We need an accurate description of the noise source.

Unreasonable noise from industrial, commercial or mechanical sources are generally at a lower decibel level, but more continual than residential party or music noise. 

Examples include:

• a loud bar or nightclub
• construction noise
• a factory or industrial noise
• heat pumps, pool pumps or ventilation fans.

Calibrated sound level meters are used to measure such noises. If found to be unreasonable, the person responsible will be asked to correct the situation. If not remedied, abatement notices can be served and enforcement action taken. This includes infringement fines or possible prosecution.

We assess it under the rules of the Auckland Unitary Plan (PDF 462KB).

In order to best assess the noise, multiple visits may be needed to correctly measure it. Depending on the nature of the noise, a control officer may need to make an appointment to measure the noise from your property.