According to the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA), excessive noise is any noise that is under human control and is so loud or disruptive that it unreasonably interferes with another person’s peace, comfort, or convenience. Noise is judged on whether a reasonable person would find it too disruptive in the circumstances.
Noise can be residential or commercial. See criteria below:
RESIDENTIAL (dealt with by the Enviro Health department)
The noise is short‑term and behaviour‑based coming from homes or people, such as:
This type of noise is usually temporary and controllable immediately. The RMA allows the Noise Control Officer to act on the spot without using sound meters (decibel reading equipment).
COMMERCIAL (dealt with by the Planning department)
The noise is ongoing or operational from businesses or activities, such as:
The noise is often long-term and predictable, it relates to zoning or conditions of consent. This is assessed by the Resource Consent team against the District Plan noise standards.
Note: Construction noise is permitted between 7am and 6pm. A breach to these standards requires a land use consent as a discretionary (restricted) activity. See Construction Noise - District Plan - CODC
You can build outside of these hours if there is not noise involved that could be heard by neighbours/others outside of your property.