Noise is one of the environmental impacts neighbors feel most directly, which is why it is behind many complaints about workshops, factories, construction sites and generators in residential areas. The Implementing Regulation for Noise of the Environment Law sets numeric limits for each type of area, by day and by night, the conditional allowance for construction sites, and when a noise reduction plan can be required. This article presents those limits as stated in the official text, with practical ways to control noise.
Scope of the regulation
The regulation applies to everyone in residential, commercial, industrial and environmentally sensitive areas, roadsides and construction sites. It does not cover noise inside buildings, mosque loudspeakers, military activities, sirens, airports, railways, port operations or national celebrations. The unit is the A-weighted decibel, and the equivalent continuous sound level (LAeq) is measured over a defined period.
Day and night in the regulation
- Daytime: from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Night-time: from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m.
Limits for residential and commercial areas
| Category | Areas | Day (dB) | Night (dB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Low-density residential, tourist sites and parks, surroundings of hospitals, schools, elderly care homes and nurseries, environmentally sensitive areas | 50 | 40 |
| B | Medium-density residential | 55 | 45 |
| C | High-density residential and mixed residential-commercial areas | 60 | 50 |
| D | Commercial areas, including warehouses and financial centers | 65 | 55 |
The regulation defines density by housing units: low from 4 to 8 units per 10,000 square meters, medium from 9 to 14, and high from 15 to 20.
Roadsides and industrial areas
- Main roads and highways (roadside): 70 dB by day and 65 dB at night.
- Industrial areas: 70 dB by day and 65 dB at night, measured at the outer boundary of the activity.
None of these limits may be exceeded without a permit from the National Center for Environmental Compliance (NCEC).
Construction sites: the conditional allowance
Article 7 allows the above limits to be exceeded during construction works (excavation, building, demolition and renovation) only between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m., and only by these maximum corrections depending on the duration of the activity:
| Duration of construction activity | Allowed increase over the limit (dB) |
|---|---|
| Up to 2.5 hours | 10 |
| 2.5 to 8 hours | 5 |
| More than 8 hours | 0 |
In other words, long works get no allowance, and working outside these hours or above these values requires an NCEC permit.
Monitoring, modeling and reduction plans
- Monitoring: anyone whose environmental permit requires noise monitoring must follow NCEC's conditions and keep monitoring data for at least three years.
- Modeling and reduction plans: NCEC may require noise modeling with results on maps and an action plan to reduce noise in three cases: when applying for a construction permit for a new activity, when there is a complaint about an existing activity, or based on inspection or audit results.
- Temporary exceedance permit: applications are decided within 5 working days, extendable by 5, and the permit states its duration, the adjusted limits or hours, and an improvement schedule where applicable.
Practical ways to reduce noise
- At the source: maintain equipment, fit silencers on generators and compressors, choose quieter equipment.
- Along the path: acoustic barriers, directing vents and exhausts away from homes, keeping noisy equipment away from the boundary.
- In operation: schedule noisy work during the day and limit continuous duration on construction sites to benefit from the corrections.
- In documentation: a log of measurements, maintenance, complaints and responses.
Frequently Asked Questions about Environmental Noise
What is the night-time noise limit in residential areas?
From 40 dB in low-density areas and around hospitals and schools to 50 dB in high-density and mixed areas, according to Table 1 of the Noise Regulation.
What are the permitted working hours on construction sites?
The limits may be exceeded by the correction values only from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.; anything else needs an NCEC permit.
We received a noise complaint. What follows?
For a complaint about an existing activity, NCEC may require noise modeling and a reduction action plan, and levels may be monitored to verify compliance.
How long must noise monitoring data be kept?
At least three years for those whose permit requires monitoring, provided to NCEC on request.
How Abak Green helps
We coordinate noise measurements at your site boundary through licensed providers, compare them with the limits for your area, prepare a practical reduction plan when needed, and prepare temporary exceedance permit applications for construction sites that need them. Contact us about noise at your site.
