The following can only be a brief introduction of the legal subject concerned. Before you take any action which may have legal consequence, you should first seek advice from your own lawyer or make an appointment at any District Office to see a volunteer lawyer of the Free Legal Advice Scheme.




(705) NOISE FROM CONSTRUCTION SITES AND FROM PUBLIC PLACES

Voice

Hong Kong is a noisy city but you do NOT have to put up with every kind of irritating noise. There are laws in Hong Kong, which provide control on several types of noise.

Noise from Construction Sites

There are controls on noise from construction sites. Percussive pile driving is prohibited between 7 pm and 7 am and on holidays. During normal daytime, percussive piling may only be carried out for a limited number of hours specified in a Permit displayed at the site for public viewing. Permits are sometimes issued to allow other non-percussive piling construction work to be carried out in the above restricted periods. But if you think some construction sites are making noise illegally, call the police; they are empowered to investigate your complaint and warn or prosecute the offender if appropriate. You can also contact the Environmental Protection Department.

Noise from Public Places

In most public places for recreation, city dwellers in the vicinity are entitled to enjoy themselves in reasonable peace and quietness. It is therefore usually an offence to make disturbing noise with radios, musical instruments, singing and so on in these places. The Police can usually put a stop to noisy behavior, or refer the case to the relevant department to deal with.

False activation of vehicle alarms has been a constant noise nuisance to city dwellers, disrupting many people's sleep. To minimize the disturbance, controls are in place to require that registered owners of vehicles should ensure their vehicle alarms will not sound unless the vehicles are being tampered with, and, after being triggered, will not sound for longer than 5 minutes.

For enquiries, please contact the Local Control Offices or through the EPD's Customer Service Hotline of 2838 3111.

Date of amendment: 22nd February 2013