Making a Noise Pollution Complaint
Dublin City Council investigates noise pollution complaints and takes enforcement action if necessary to deal with breaches of noise control legislation.
To make a complaint about any of the issues below, please use our Noise Pollution Complaint online form.
Noise from construction sites
Construction sites, by their very nature, can create a great deal of noise, with some activities, e.g. pile driving, causing particular disturbance. In the event of an investigation by the Air Quality Monitoring and Noise Control Unit, our aim will be to see if the works on site comply with the principles of best practice with regard to minimising noise.
The permissible hours of operation of a building site unless otherwise approved within Dublin City are:
Monday to Friday 07.00 to 18.00
Saturday 08.00 to 14.00
Sundays and Public Holidays no noisy work on site.
These hours are often specifically conditioned at the planning permission stage, and therefore are enforced by the Planning Enforcement Section of Dublin City Council. In the event that a planning condition has not been applied regarding hours of operation, the Air Quality Monitoring and Noise Control Unit will deal with the complaint.
Noise from commercial premises
This includes plant noise, extractor fans, refrigeration compressors, air handling units etc.
Music noise from public houses / nightclubs
We investigate complaints regarding noise nuisance caused by the playing of amplified music at public houses / nightclubs. Generally this type of complaint arises when a licensed premises is playing music to an intrusive level, until late at night.
Noise arising from outdoor music events
Monitoring is usually carried out by the Air Quality Monitoring and Noise Control Unit at outdoor events. Results are usually available through the Planning Decisions Section contact through Customer Services or for smaller events (with attendance of less than 5000 persons), please contact the Environmental Health Officers.
Noise from security alarms
If an alarm is being repeatedly activated, a warning letter can be sent to the premises causing the nuisance but no access can be gained to the property to disable an activated alarm.
Intruder alarm systems should be designed, installed and maintained in compliance with Irish Standard EN50131/1:2006 A nominated key-holder or neighbour should have access to the property in case of activation. Guidelines on how to prevent noise nuisance from activated alarms are detailed in the Intruder Alarm Systems document, downloadable below.
Please note that this list is not exhaustive. Contact Customers Services to find out if your complaint falls under our remit.
Click below to download a copy of the National Protocol for Dealing with Noise Complaints for Local Authorities.