NOISE CONTROL REGULATIONS IN TERMS OF SECTION 25 OF THE ENVIRONMENT CONSERVATION ACT, 1989 (ACT NO. 73 OF 1989)

The Noise Control Regulations, issued under Section 25 of the Environment Conservation Act, 1989, establish a legal framework for managing noise pollution in South Africa. The regulations define 'disturbing noise' and 'noise nuisance,' grant local authorities broad enforcement powers, and set specific decibel limits for vehicles and buildings in 'controlled areas.' They also prohibit certain noise-generating activities in residential areas during specific times and outline penalties for non-compliance.

• Local authorities are granted extensive powers to enforce noise control, including the right to enter premises without notice for inspections, instruct individuals to discontinue noise, and require noise impact assessments before new buildings are erected or land use is changed.
• The regulations define a 'controlled area' based on specific decibel (dBA) thresholds over set periods: road transport noise exceeding 65 dBA (06:00 to 24:00), aircraft noise with a noisiness index exceeding 65 dBA, or industrial noise exceeding 61 dBA over 24 hours.
• Specific prohibitions are placed on the use of power tools and equipment for construction, drilling, or demolition in residential areas between 18:00 and 06:00 from Monday to Saturday, and at any time on Sundays and specific public holidays including Good Friday, Ascension Day, Day of the Covenant, and Christmas Day.
• The regulations set maximum sound levels for vehicles on public roads. For vehicles with spark ignition (four or more wheels) used for passengers or goods, the limit is 96 dBA after 1992-01-01. For diesel engines without an engine brake, the limit is 105 dBA after 1992-01-01.
• Buildings such as educational, residential, hospital, church, or office structures erected in a controlled area must include acoustic screening to ensure internal noise levels do not exceed 40 dBA when measured with air-conditioning or ventilation systems switched off.
• Violations of regulations regarding general prohibitions, disturbing noise, or noise nuisance can result in a fine of up to R20,000, imprisonment for up to two years, or both. Continuing contraventions may incur an additional fine of up to R250 or 20 days of imprisonment per day.

APA

Centre for Environmental Rights (1992). NOISE CONTROL REGULATIONS IN TERMS OF SECTION 25 OF THE ENVIRONMENT CONSERVATION ACT, 1989 (ACT NO. 73 OF 1989). https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Noise-control-regulations.pdf?x21779

Chicago

Centre for Environmental Rights. NOISE CONTROL REGULATIONS IN TERMS OF SECTION 25 OF THE ENVIRONMENT CONSERVATION ACT, 1989 (ACT NO. 73 OF 1989). 1992. https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Noise-control-regulations.pdf?x21779.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Centre for Environmental Rights |title=NOISE CONTROL REGULATIONS IN TERMS OF SECTION 25 OF THE ENVIRONMENT CONSERVATION ACT, 1989 (ACT NO. 73 OF 1989) |date=10 January 1992 |url=https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Noise-control-regulations.pdf?x21779 |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{centreforenvironmentalrights1992noise, author = {{Centre for Environmental Rights}}, title = {{NOISE CONTROL REGULATIONS IN TERMS OF SECTION 25 OF THE ENVIRONMENT CONSERVATION ACT, 1989 (ACT NO. 73 OF 1989)}}, institution = {Centre for Environmental Rights}, year = {1992}, month = jan, url = {https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Noise-control-regulations.pdf?x21779}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }