Noise-smart living

Any sound can be considered noise. Usually, noise is a sound people don’t like, and cannot prevent or change, such as traffic noise or a loud neighbour.

Noise might be loud, unpleasant or cause disturbance. Some sounds will be acceptable to some people, but intolerable to others – just as we might disagree on which kinds of music are noise and which aren’t.

You can expect these types of noise in the Central City:

• Rubbish collection.
• People and crowds.
• Construction and traffic.
• Music in homes and at venues.
• Retail and industrial plants, such as restaurant extractor fans.

From time to time, these sounds may be late at night or early in the morning. Crowds and music can be great for those enjoying them but can be stressful or annoying for nearby residents – even disrupting sleep.

It’s not just about volume either, soft sounds – like a squeaky door or a noisy fridge – can still be annoying due to pitch, length, frequency, or time of day.

The volume of sound is measured in decibels (dB(A)). 

• Sounds above 30 dB(A) can interfere with sleep. 
• Sounds above 70 dB(A) can harm hearing over time. 
• Sounds above 130 dB(A) cause physical pain.

Examples:

Along with decibels, it helps to understand the different ways sound can travel or arise.

Refer to this detailed BRANZ bulletin(external link) to learn how sound travels, and how to respond to noise problems. Our soundproofing guide also offers more advice and useful links.

As a rule of thumb, residential areas are louder in the Central City than the suburbs. If you want to live in town, you should explore and test the neighbourhood you’re looking at to see if it will work for you - especially if you're sensitive to noise.

• Investigate the area at different times of the day, both quiet and busy.
• If you're looking at a home, ask the developer, real estate agent, landlord or nearby residents about the area’s noise.
• Have a walk around the area at night, especially on a Friday or Saturday.
• Consider spending a night before you move in, preferably close to your planned home.
• Spend some time out at night, on a balcony, and check the level of noise with doors and windows open.
• Also, investigate any potentially noisy venues and what their opening hours are.

Businesses and activities to watch for in an area

• Trade suppliers,
• vehicle repair shops,
• warehouses,
• Supermarkets (early morning deliveries),
• Service stations with car washes,
• Hospitality and fast-food outlets with extractor fans
• Street cleaning and rubbish collection,
• Busy bus routes, 
• Multiple lane roads with higher speed limits,
• Nightlife,
• Sports fields.

Knowing the sources and levels of noise in a neighbourhood will inform your decision of where to live. If you're in a noisier environment, you should check your home will be acoustically insulated to minimise any effects on you. Our soundproofing guide has more detailed information on how to deal with noise that's disturbing you.

Finally, bear in mind that as the city becomes more developed, city centre noise will increase, especially at night. 

Noise rules in your area

Doing research on the noise limits in an area, and what noisier activities are allowed, will help you understand what noise levels to expect in an area. The Christchurch District Plan sets noise limits based on zoning.

Consult the planning maps(external link) in the Plan to determine an area’s zone, and Chapter 6.1(external link) for the noise rules that apply to the zone.

There are some entertainment precincts in the Central City which permit higher levels of noise. The District Plan also outlines what future development to expect in the area. Contact our Duty Planner by emailing DutyPlanner@ccc.govt.nz for advice about the noise limits and zoning of an area you’re interested in.

The Council also works on improving and tweaking the Plan, on an ongoing basis (including an upcoming Plan Change on the city's noise-related rules). You can keep track of all current Plan Changes online.

Remember that what’s on the ground can differ from what an area is zoned for. Some areas zoned for less noise may still contain late-night entertainment venues or busier streets - which is why it is good to investigate an area yourself before moving in.

If the area you're considering already has or is zoned for potentially noisy uses, we advise you pay extra attention to the soundproofing of any home you look at (see below for more advice). Also consider how sensitive you would be to the effects of noise and whether, if you live here, you can accept, adapt to, or make adjustments to mitigate any effects on you (more advice below).

In the Central City, you will need to pay more attention to the acoustic insulation and design of your potential home, especially if you're near a busier road, public transport route, or late-night venues. The property needs to be insulated well enough for you to relax and enjoy your home and get a full night's sleep.

Building and planning standards

Minimum acoustic insulation requirements are laid out in the New Zealand(external link) Building Code(external link), and Christchurch District Plan(external link).  Most modern developments will meet these standards.  But to be sure, it is best to check with the developer, real estate agent, or landlord. There are cases where a home was built prior to the standards being put in place, or has a resource consent to breach District Plan standards. 

It's worth remembering that these are only minimum standards and you may like to explore 'above code' options if you'd like even better protection from noise - especially if you're close to noisier businesses, or live in an area where new businesses could move in. Minimum standards may not be enough for a relaxing home in noisier parts of the Central City, especially at night.

The Council is currently exploring potential changes to acoustic insulation standards in the District Plan, so they are more fit-for-purpose. The status of proposed plan changes can be viewed online.

What to check for in a home

When you're viewing a Central City property or its plans, you should always keep sound insulation and design in mind. Pay attention to noise levels in the home, and outdoors when looking around the property. 

New dwellings will have thermal insulation and double glazing that will help minimise noise intrusion. In older buildings, though, poorly sealed timber or single-glazed windows are likely to be weak spots for noise intrusion. 

Check sound levels in the home with both open and closed windows. Also check whether the dwelling has an adequate mechanical ventilation system. If windows need to be opened for ventilation, noise will leak into the home. This makes mechanical ventilation just as important as insulation and double glazing in managing unwanted noise. 

Consider how close the home (especially bedrooms and living rooms) is to neighbours, especially any nearby businesses. Be wary of neighbour's external heat pumps, or extractor fans, within about 5 metres of your bedroom window, and look for signs of neighbour's outdoor decks or entertainment areas near your bedrooms. These might disturb you if they are in regular use.

If the home is close to noisier night-time activities, consider how far the home is from the noise. If any bedrooms or key living spaces face in the direction of the noise, sound could leak in, especially through any windows or doors. 

You could ask the agent or landlord what they know about the property's insulation for sound and warmth. If possible, verify any sound insulation specifications with an architect or builder, or consult with an acoustic expert. If the property is new, you'll likely be able to find more details on it via the Duty Planner at the Council.  They can check when it was built, what minimum acoustic standards it had to meet, or any consent information. 

If you do see any potential issues with a home, you can either consider a different home or think about what improvements to make. Older homes can benefit from new double glazing and effective seals, which are available from hardware stores or specialist suppliers (more advice below). 

Here are some suggested steps to mitigate noise issues in a home you're currently living in. If you're renting, you have less flexibility to make any changes to your bedroom or living space and may be dependent on a landlord or property manager to permit any changes you want made. 

Windows/doors

• Identify where any noise is coming from. If money is tight, prioritise vulnerable rooms – your bedroom and any other spaces where you need a quiet environment. 
• Pay extra attention to windows. They are generally weak spots for noise, as they are not completely airtight.
• If noise is coming through the windows or doors, close window and door gaps through rubber weatherstripping(external link). If weatherstripping isn't working, airtight – or close to airtight – seals may be needed. Proprietary seals are available at most hardware stores or from specialist suppliers.  
• If you own an older home, poor seals and single-glazed windows are likely to be weak spots. These homes benefit from new double glazing with effective seals.
• Magnetic or 'clip-on' glazing can also be fitted to existing single-glazed windows, getting similar benefits to double-glazing without needing to remove your window. Magnetic glazing can be even more effective when it comes with acoustic glass or seals. Just be mindful that fully sealed double-glazing systems are likely to be more effective. 
• If you're renting, consult your landlord and assess your tenancy agreement, to see if you can make changes to your rented home. Clarify with the landlord whether you can make permanent or temporary changes. Reach agreement with your landlord to weatherstrip or seal gaps.
• If you have any hollow-core doors, replacing them with solid-core doors will do a better job at blocking sound between rooms in a home. A landlord may be willing to make this change for you.

Furnishing

• If your room has a lot of hard surfaces like timber or tiled floors, and painted GIB walls and ceilings, increasing the number of materials that absorb sound can make a small difference to the level of noise intrusion. Thicker curtains or soft, thick floor surfaces like rugs and carpets can stop some sound from bouncing around the room.
• Acoustic panels/clouds attached to ceilings and walls are pricey but can work well.
• Rearranging the furniture can have a positive effect without you buying anything. One good strategy is to move large, heavy items like dressers or bookcases to outside facing walls. These can act as a barrier for some noise to bounce off.
• A 'white noise' machine, air purifier, or fan can 'mask' unwanted sounds from outside. Even playing these noises from your phone can help. Bear in mind 'white noise' does not work for everyone and is more of a 'stop-gap'.

If you're renting, some of the above suggestions rely on having a landlord who will agree to make changes to your building. While you may get lucky and have a willing landlord, these improvements can be costly for an already-built home. So, your landlord may not be able to meet your needs. 

Landlords are not legally required to acoustically insulate homes to the same extent as thermal insulation requirements. Don't be afraid to leave a rental if it's not meeting your sound needs, if you see better options out there.

In the long run, it could be more prudent to assess rentals before you sign any agreement, and ensure either that outside noise isn't extensive, or the rental/home you're looking at already has the sound insulation it needs.

If you are having noise issues with your neighbour, whether it's a fellow resident or business, it is a good idea to get in touch with them directly.

If problems do arise, it will be a lot easier for you and your neighbour to cooperate and resolve issues if you know each other and have a good relationship. When you first meet, we recommend you:

Share your wants and concerns

Be honest and clear about what sound levels you can handle/expect during the day or night – this will help them keep your needs in mind.

Keep your expectations realistic

While music venues and night-time businesses are aware of noise limits in their area and do their best to meet them, there are many factors which limit what can be done (e.g. patrons entering or exiting a venue, or on-stage noise).

Loud venues can turn their music down, but in many older Central City buildings where sound easily leaks, even softer, reasonable noise can have an unpleasant effect on neighbours. Comprehensive sound insulation can be prohibitively costly.

Be respectful

While there may be potential differences in what you and the other party want, a respectful, cordial relationship is essential for issues to be properly solved.

Consider a connections event

If you as a resident are concerned about noise and wish to engage with night-time businesses, chances are other residents want to do the same.

Arranging a connections event, with businesses and residents, could enable everyone to express their views, come to an agreement, and form strong relationships. The Council may be able to help with an event, get in touch at urbanregeneration@ccc.govt.nz. 

Contact Noise Control

If the above options aren't working for you, and you are still experiencing noise issues with a neighbour, get in touch with Noise Control at 03 941 8999. They can help with certain kinds of excessive noise that are disturbing your home.