Construction noise

For Kāpiti to be a great place to work and live, demolition, construction and redevelopment work needs to occur. This activity needs to be controlled by Council to make sure any noise generated is at a reasonable level and occurs at a reasonable time.

Construction work includes the erection, installation, repair, maintenance and demolition of almost anything. It includes site preparation and earthmoving, and the use of any plant or tools.

The construction and maintenance noise rules do not apply when the noise is associated with normal residential household activities like home handyman work undertaken intermittently and at reasonable times.
This exemption does not apply to contractor and commercial activities, like work on construction sites and projects.
We assess all construction and maintenance noise complaints on a case-by-case basis.

Contractors in residential areas

If you're thinking of having any noisy construction or demolition work done in a residential area, follow these best practices to help keep good community relations:

• All workers on construction sites must respect residents' right to live or work nearby without unnecessary or excessive noise.
• Any noisy operations should be carried out when they'll cause least disturbance to residents. If this is unavoidable, you'll need to notify affected residents about the day and time of operation and give them an onsite contact phone number if they have any special circumstances you need to know about.
• Minimise the volume of onsite radios and stereos.

Construction work and noise control

If we're asked to investigate the noise from a construction site, our staff will assess if the noise is reasonable and within allowable levels, and that the construction work is being done within permitted times. 

If the noise is considered excessive, our noise control officer will direct the occupier or person responsible for causing the excessive noise to immediately reduce it to a reasonable level. A written Direction to Abate Excessive Noise may be issued which will be in effect for 72 hours. If there is a repeat incident of reported excessive noise within the 72-hour period, our staff, with the help from the Police, have the right to:

• seize/remove whatever is making the noise
• take away any working parts
• lock up or seal off the object making the noise
• take any other steps necessary to reduce noise
• issue a notice of non-compliance with Direction to Abate Excessive Noise and infringement fee.

Permitted noise levels for residential areas

The section below shows permitted noise levels from construction work within residential areas.

Monday to Friday

Monday to Saturday

Monday to Friday

Sunday and Public Holidays

The specific noise limits are contained in NZS 6803:1999 Acoustics – Construction Noise.

Contractors should check their resource consent for any extra conditions such as restrictions on hours of operation.

The following are examples of noise levels measured in decibels (dBA):

• 140 dBA pneumatic rock breaker
• 120 dBA compactor
• 110 dBA fork lift truck
• 105 dBA 20 tonne dump truck
• 95 dBA oxyacetylene welder
• 80 dBA electric drill (1 metre)
• 75 dBA loud radio
• 60 dBA department store.

Emergency construction work

Council may grant permission for construction work to take place outside of the above times or levels if emergency works are necessary, or if work cannot be completed during normal working hours due to public safety or traffic hazards.

If you have special permission to work outside the permitted hours, it is advisable to notify residents who may be affected by noise about the times and days of operation and give them an onsite contact telephone number.