Report unreasonable noise

Everyone has the right to a peaceful neighbourhood. It is an offence to make unreasonable noise in a residential area.

Residential noise

Living in a residential area means you can expect a reasonable level of noise from neighbours carrying out usual activities.

Residential noise can come from inside or outside the house, and can include:

parties and music
people talking loudly or yelling
vehicles
musical instruments
radios and televisions
air conditioners
outdoor electrical tools.

Unreasonable noise

Residential noise becomes unreasonable when:

it occurs during prohibited times, and
a person can hear it from a habitable room in a residence.

It is an offence to make unreasonable noise in a residential area.

The Environment Protection Authority Victorian (EPA) restricts loud noise before 7am and after 9pm on weekdays, and before 9am and after 11pm on weekends.

Visit the EPA website for more information on what kind of noise is unreasonable in a residential area.

Who responds to noise complaints

Local council officers can respond to noise complaints. When assessing whether noise is unreasonable, factors may include:

how loud the noise is
what the noise sounds like
when and how often the noise occurs
where the noise can be heard from.

General noise complaints can be managed by your local council.

Police should be notified only if there is immediate danger or a person is threatening or aggressive. In those circumstances, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.

You cannot make a noise complaint through the Police Assistance Line or Online Reporting tool.

Loud neighbours

Noise from your neighbours can include yelling, late-night parties, and loud appliances or music.

Police and local council officers can direct the person responsible to stop the noise for up to 72 hours. If the noise persists after this direction, police can issue an on-the-spot fine.

To address unreasonable noise from your neighbours, you can choose from several options.
Speak to your neighbour
Speak to your neighbour and explain that the noise is disturbing you. They may not be aware there is a problem.
Only do this if it is safe to do so.
Read our tips on how to safely resolve conflict with a neighbour.
Make a noise complaint to your local council
You can report unreasonable noise in your neighbourhood to your local council.
Make a noise complaint to police
For unreasonable noise issues outside of local council business hours, or if there is an urgent matter, call Triple Zero (000).
This could include loud and disturbing parties, if you believe someone is in danger, or if your neighbour is threatening or aggressive.

Domestic pets

Local councils manage regulations around domestic pets. These include excessive noise, such as barking dogs.

Contact your local council to raise any animal-related complaints. They can advise on your options to help resolve the issue.

Loud cars and vehicle noise

Noise from vehicles is common, especially in residential areas. A legally driven, unmodified vehicle is unlikely to create unreasonable noise.

Illegally modified vehicles may make excessive exhaust or stereo noise. Excessive noise from these vehicles may be unreasonable and can be reported.

Dangerous and erratic hoon driving can also create unreasonable noise, as well as being a risk to community safety.

Examples of loud vehicle noise include:

car exhausts from modified cars
engines revving
loud stereos.

When reporting loud car or vehicle noise, take note of the:
- vehicle registration, make and model
- gender and age of the driver
- time and date of the incident.
You cannot report loud vehicles or dangerous and erratic driving through the Online Reporting tool.
Report a loud vehicle that passed by
If you have taken the details of a loud vehicle as it passes by your residence, make a report online to CrimeStoppers. Include any photos or video footage with your report.
Visit Crime Stoppers to learn more about their road safety campaign, See it, Share it.
Report a loud vehicle currently in your residence
If loud cars are currently driving in and around your neighbourhood, or the offender is present, call Triple Zero (000).
To report a vehicle being driven dangerously anywhere on the roads, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.
You can report a dangerous driver even if they have already passed you by. Dangerous driving can include:
- hoon driving
- speeding
- erratic driving
- drag racing.
Record as many details of the incident as you can, such as:
- the car make, model, and number plate
- the road they are on
- the direction they are heading
- the type of dangerous driving (eg. speeding, swerving, underage driving)
- a description of the driver, if you can see them.

Commercial noise

Commercial, industrial and entertainment venue noise can also affect neighbouring properties and their residents.

Make a commercial noise complaint through the following channels.
A shop or small business
For noise from shops or small businesses, contact your local council.
Industrial sites and buildings
If the noise is coming from an industrial site or building, contact the Environment Protection Authority (EPA). The EPA can investigate complaints and enforce noise requirements for industry.
Entertainment venues
Entertainment venues operate under permit conditions that may include approved operating hours and noise requirements. Concerns about noise from entertainment venues can be reported to the EPA.
For urgent noise issues outside business hours, contact Triple Zero (000).

Quick guide on where to report unreasonable noise

Refer to the guide below on where to report unreasonable noise.

Type of noise	Examples	Who you can report to
Residential noise and residential construction noise	Air Conditioners Pool Pumps House Parties Stereo Systems Residential construction and demolition activities	Your local council Triple Zero (000) (after local council business hours)
Commercial or industrial noise	Restaurants Gyms Supermarkets Manufacturing Utilities Commercial construction	EPA Your local council
Music from entertainment venues	Theatres and concert halls Sporting events Stadiums and festival grounds Pubs, clubs and bars	EPA Your local council Triple Zero (000) (after local council business hours, or in an emergency) Liquor Control Victoria (licensed premises like pubs, clubs and bars)
Major projects or state government activities	Major infrastructure projects eg major road projects State government managed land use e.g public schools or prisons Noise from wind turbines	EPA

Home and property safety Crime prevention

Updated 23 October 2026