Problems with noise

Before you make a complaint

If you're having problems with noise, there are steps you can take to fix the issue. If the noise is near your home, speak to the person responsible. Sometimes people don't realise they're making unreasonable noise.

The Environment Protection Authority has information about what noise people can make and when they can make it. Find out more about residential noise restrictions on the Environment Protection Authority website.

If you can’t fix the problem by talking to the person responsible for the noise, you can contact the relevant authority to make a complaint. We explain who to contact based on your noise problem below.

When to contact us

Noise from residential properties

You can contact us if you’re often hearing unreasonable noise from a residential property.

You need to record the noise into a noise diary for at least 2 weeks. At the end of the 2-week period, email your completed noise diary to us at [email protected]. We will then look into your complaint.

Download a Noise diary template (PDF).

How we manage complaints about noise from residential properties

We will review your noise diary and assess if the noise is:

• a nuisance under the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008
• unreasonable under the Environment Protection Act 2017.

We will also visit the location of the alleged noise and collect evidence, such as:

• observations
• statements
• photographs
• sound meter readings.

We will work with the person responsible for the noise to try to fix the problem. This includes suggestions on how to reduce noise to an acceptable level. If the evidence we collect does not show the noise is a nuisance or unreasonable, we'll give you advice on how to settle the matter privately.

Noise from a barking dog

If you hear a dog barking excessively, you need to record the noise for 7 days and include this in a report to us. We have developed a:

• 7-day barking dog diary template
• sample note for contacting a dog owner.

You can find these and more information on our Nuisance animals page.

Building and construction works

Activity on a building site is allowed between:

• Monday to Friday, 7:00 am to 6:00 pm
• Saturday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

These times are in line with the Protection of Council Assets and Control of Building Sites Local Law 2021, which you can download below.

You can contact us if building and construction works are happening outside of these times.

Noise from business deliveries

Deliveries between businesses are allowed between:

• Monday to Thursday, 7:00 am to 10:00 pm
• Friday, 9:00 am to 10:00 pm
• Saturday 9:00 am to 10:00 pm.

These times are in line with clause 49.1.2 of Boroondara's Amenity Local Law, which you can download below.

Businesses must have a permit to deliver outside these times. You can contact us if deliveries are happening outside of these times.

When to contact the Environment Protection Authority Victoria

Noise from commercial and industrial properties

To report noise from commercial or industrial properties, you can contact the Environment Protection Authority Victoria.

When to contact Victoria Police

You can call your local police station on 131 444.

Noise from residential properties

You can contact Victoria Police if:

• the noise is coming from an event, such as a party
• the noise relates to criminal or anti-social activity.

Noise from private entertainment venues

Entertainment venues aren’t allowed to have unreasonable noise between 12:00 am and 8:00 am.

You can contact Victoria Police to report unreasonable noise during these hours.

Noise from security alarms

A car or home security alarm must not be able to be heard beyond the boundary of the house or building.

You can contact Victoria Police to report unreasonable noise during these hours.

More information

• Call us on (03) 9278 4444.
• Visit Environment Protection Authority website for:
  • Residential noise and the law
  • Noise guidance for businesses
  • Noise guidance for businesses: Residential construction
  • Noise guidance for business: Commercial construction