Protection of the Environment Operations (Noise Control) Regulation 2026

In NSW the principal legal mechanisms for managing offensive noise are the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 and the Protection of the Environment Operations (Noise Control) Regulation 2026.

The Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (POEO Act) defines offensive noise and creates noise-related offences. The Noise Control Regulation supplements the POEO Act by providing specific tools and requirements for managing noise from motor vehicles, marine vessels and common neighbourhood noise sources such as air conditioners, intruder alarms, amplified music and power tools.

The Noise Control Regulation was updated in 2026 following a review of the 2017 Regulation, maintaining, extending and updating provisions to manage noise from a range of noise sources. Find out more about the changes made in the 2026 Regulation.

The Regulation contains requirements relating to noise as follows:

Motor vehicles

  • prescribes stationary noise limits for the sale and use of motor vehicles, aligned to the Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Regulation 2017
  • restricts the use of motor vehicles away from roads and on residential premises that cause excessive or offensive noise, including the liability of the owner/occupier of private land on which the vehicle is used
  • prohibits the sale or use of a motor vehicle with defective or otherwise non-complying noise reduction equipment, and tampering with or modifying noise reduction equipment
  • specifies requirements for vehicle alarms that may be sold and for the sounding of alarms, horns and the use of vehicle sound systems.

Marine vessels

  • prohibits the emission of offensive noise from a marine vessel, and specifies requirements to maintain noise control equipment
  • specifies that a vessel’s siren, whistle, hooter, horn or bell must not be sounded on navigable waters except for the purposes of navigation
  • prohibits the emission of offensive noise from a musical instrument or sound system on a vessel.

Noisy articles

  • specifies requirements for the sale of building intruder alarms and their operation
  • prescribes restricted hours for the use of certain articles on residential property, including gardening equipment, air conditioners, tools and pumps, when noise can be heard in a residential room of another residence
  • sets out labelling requirements for certain articles, such as grass cutting machines, chainsaws and air compressors
  • restricts the playing of loud musical instruments and operating sound systems that disturb neighbours.

Defective vehicles and vessels

  • provides enforcement mechanisms for defective vehicles and vessels through defective vehicle notices and vessel notices.

Determining noise levels

  • specifies how maximum noise levels for motor vehicles and certain accessories must be determined, and the method of determining the noise level from a shooting range.

Key documents and information