Noise issues
Where noise is regular and loud, it may be considered a problem and we may be able to help you resolve it. There are no set noise levels that people must stick to; it is really a question of what is reasonable behaviour. Each case is different and we must consider facts carefully before we take action.
Types of noise we can investigate
We can look into noise that is unreasonable, persistent or clearly affects your quality of life or stops you sleeping. This includes:
- loud shouting, music, TV's or musical instruments
- household appliances used late at night
- animal noise such as barking dogs and cockerels crowing
- fireworks noise
If the noise regularly disrupts your sleep or daily life, it may be classed as a statutory nuisance. A statutory nuisance is noise that is so loud or persistent that it significantly affects how you live in your home or prevents you from sleeping. If this is happening regularly, you can report it.
Types of noise we cannot investigate
We’re unable to investigate:
- noise where you cannot identify which property it is coming from
- normal household noise, such as:
- footsteps
- doors closing
- children playing
- babies crying
- traffic or aircraft noise
These are normal household noises (sometimes call domestic noise) and cannot be treated as statutory nuisances.
Should I contact my neighbour first?
It is always a good idea to try to resolve the issue before involving us. Choose a good time to speak - when neither of you is feeling stressed or in a hurry. Keep the tone polite and non-accusatory, focus on how the noise makes you feel, rather than what they are doing wrong.
Often people are not aware their noise is travelling or disturbing others, and a polite chat can help set expectations, agree quieter times, or find simple adjustments without needing to involve us.
If you do not feel able to speak directly with your neighbour, you can download our 'Dear Neighbour' letter template and use that instead.
Download our 'Dear Neighbour' letter templateReporting noise issues
If the noise is ongoing or happens regularly, you can report it using the link below.
To help us investigate, it would be useful if you have kept a note of:
- dates and times of the noise
- how long it lasts
- how the noise affects you
- recordings or other evidence
This information may be used as evidence if we take legal action.
Report noise if you live in Broadland or South NorfolkWill the other person know I've reported them?
We may need to contact the person you believe is causing the noise. We will not share your details with them. However, you must provide your contact details when you report the issue. We cannot accept anonymous reports.
Other types of noise
Why dogs bark
Barking is a dogs’ way of communicating. This could be alerting to visitors or reacting to something else.
Most people accept occasional barking, but it can become unacceptable when it happens regularly, is prolonged or happens at inappropriate times. It is possible for dog barking to be a Statutory Nuisance.
How can I resolve a neighbours’ dog barking without involving the Council?
Approach the dog owner calmly. Choose the right time and speak face-to-face at a moment that is not heated and when neither of you is in a hurry. Use friendly language and show concern, rather than blame.
For example, “I just popped round because your dog barks constantly when you leave the house and thought you would want to know / for the last couple of hours, so I wondered if everything is okay?
Not comfortable knocking on the door? You could send an informal note instead e.g.
I hope you are well. Just wanted to give you a quick heads-up. I’ve noticed your dog has been barking quite a bit lately, especially (insert when and for how long).
I totally understand that dogs bark, it’s what they do, but thought you might not know this is happening if you’re out.
If you’d like me to keep an ear out and let you know when it happens, I am happy to help so hopefully, we can reduce it happening so often.
Thank you so much.
How do I get help to deal with a barking dog?
To help us with our investigation, keep a record of when the dog is barking, how long it lasts and the impact this has on you, then use our report noise form at the top of this page.
How do I reduce my dogs’ barking to avoid complaints from neighbours?
- Understand the cause – they could be barking because they are excited, frustrated, bored, or distressed. Check for underlying health conditions first.
- Provide consistent play, exercise, routine, feeding. Toys and puzzles help prevent boredom-driven barking.
- Manage triggers – if your dog barks at passers-by, limit their view of the outside or distract them with treats before they bark.
- Address separation barking. Use calming aids, dog-sitters, or seek behavioural help if they bark when left alone.
Bird scarers are commonly used by farmers to protect their crops. Their use is legal but operators must ensure the equipment does not cause a statutory nuisance and should follow the National Farmers Union (NFU) Bird Scarer Code of Practice.
What is a statutory nuisance?
Noise from a bird scarer may be considered a statutory nuisance when it is used unreasonably and causes significant interference with someone's use or enjoyment of their home. This may include scarers sounding before 7am (or before 6am if sunrise is earlier) and after sunset up to 10pm.
How to avoid causing a statutory nuisance
- Place scarers as far away from residential properties as possible.
- Point them away from homes and use baffles.
- Consider prevailing wind direction.
- Avoid auditory scarers within 200m of sensitive buildings before 7am (or 6am if sunrise is earlier).
- Use reflective or absorbent baffles.
- Avoid using auditory scarers on Sundays.
If you are affected by noise from a bird scarer
If you know who owns the bird scarer, consider speaking with them directly in a calm manner.
If this is unsuccessful or you do not know who owns the equipment, you can report concerns to us using the form in the link on this page.
You may be required to keep a noise diary so we can understand the frequency of the issue and its impact on you.
Cockerels can cause disturbance to your neighbours, particularly when crowing early in the morning or for long periods of time. This advice outlines how we assess noise from cockerels and the steps you can take to minimise disturbance to your neighbours.
How we assess cockerel noise
Noise diary
We may ask the person being disturbed to keep a diary of when the cockerel is crowing. The key factors are the time of the day and how long it lasts.
Monitoring and recording
We may use various types of equipment to record the crowing and this may be used as evidence if action is taken.
Enforcement action
If the noise is a statutory nuisance, an Abatement Notice may be issued under Section 80 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
How to reduce crowing
Housing
- Keep the cockerel/s in a coop at night.
- Use blackened windows to keep the coop dark.
- Keep the cockerels in the coop until a reasonable hour of the day.
Location
- Place the coop or coops as far from neighbouring homes as possible.
Competition
- Multiple cockerels may cause increased crowing.
Cleanliness and vermin control
- Rats and mice may be attracted to leftover food or water.
- Coops and shelters should be cleaned regularly and leftover food removed daily.
- In warm weather, poor cleaning can cause odour nuisance too and we may take action against you if we receive complaints that this is affecting your neighbours.
There are restrictions around when you can use fireworks, at certain times of the day and for certain events. There are laws regarding the use of fireworks at home, and which restrict the type of fireworks that can be bought.
Category 2 and 3 fireworks can only be bought by someone over the age of 18.
Category 4 fireworks are for use only by professionals and are illegal for home use.
You will find some useful information on fireworks and the law.
What is the cut-off time for letting off fireworks?
- 11pm for most days of the year.
- Midnight for November 5th (Guy Fawkes or Bonfire Night).
- 1am for New Years' Eve, Diwali and Chinese New Year.
I am planning a party with fireworks, what should I do?
It is a good idea to let your neighbours know what you are planning to give them time to make arrangements if they have pets, or have family members who do not like loud bangs.
When buying the fireworks, consider buying less noisy or better still, silent fireworks. These are as beautiful and just as enjoyable as traditional fireworks, but do not produce the very loud bangs and whistles.
What if I am disturbed by noise from fireworks?
We can investigate noise from fireworks when they are being used regularly and are very intrusive. However, it can be very difficult to prove where the fireworks are being let-off from. If they are being used as part of a one-off celebration, this would fall outside of the law we use to tackle noise nuisance.
How can I help my dog cope with noise from fireworks?
The loud bangs and whistles and flashing lights of fireworks, can be very frightening for your dog, but there are things you can do to help minimise their stress levels.
Battersea Dogs Home has some very useful information and tips on dogs and fireworks.