Licensed & Commercial Premises
The activities of licensed and commercial premises in the City of Sydney can result in unwanted noise outside business hours. The City enforces regulations to protect the amenity of the community.
Licensed Premises
Music and crowd noise from restaurants, nightclubs, hotels and other licensed premises in the city can sometimes reach levels that could be considered offensive or a nuisance and unduly affect the lifestyle of residents. All Liquor Licensed premises are obliged to respond quickly and positively to resolve complaints received from neighbouring premises.
Before midnight, noise from these venues is limited by the City of Sydney to five decibels above background noise levels. To the average person, this represents sound levels that are 50 per cent higher than background noise levels. After midnight, noise from these venues must not be audible within any habitable room of a residential premise.
The City of Sydney investigates associated complaints. If you have a complaint relating to noise from a premise and/or their patrons, or as a result of violent or anti-social behaviour by patrons, you can also lodge a complaint with the Liquor Administration Board. To lodge a complaint contact:
NSW Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing
Tel: 02 9995 0725
Website: www.olgr.nsw.gov.au/liquor_lab_complaints.asp
Commercial Premises
Activities at commercial premises - such as service delivery vehicles, forklifts and loading dock operations - have the potential to cause a noise nuisance.
Noise from commercial premises is similarly limited by the City of Sydney to five decibels above background noise levels.
Exhaust Fans and Air Conditioners
The noise from exhaust fans and air conditioners can be particularly intrusive.
Recognising this, the City of Sydney restricts the level of noise emitted from these devices so they are inaudible within other premises after 12 midnight, and no more than five decibels above the background noise level after 7am.
