Preventing noise nuisance at events and licensed premises

If you are a licence holder or an event organiser providing entertainment, you have a legal duty not to cause a nuisance to residents of neighbouring premises from activities at your premises or event.

This advice and information is for:

It provides simple non-technical noise guidance and would also be relevant to the venue owner.

If you intend to hold a large-scale event or are thinking of installing a sound system to provide regular entertainment you may need to obtain specialist advice.

Causes of noise nuisance

Entertainment events are likely to have a noise impact on the surrounding area from sources such as, amplified music, loud bass levels, public announcement systems, crowd noise and equipment noise.

Noise which creates an excessive and unreasonable disturbance to neighbouring premises in the area can cause a 'nuisance'.

If you are organising entertainment or an event in an outside area where there are residential properties nearby, or in a quiet rural location, you should take action to put suitable noise management controls in place.

Plan to limit noise

During the events planning stage, consider the likely sources of noise from your event and the reasonable measures you will take to prevent noise nuisance.

Noise management controls to consider and put in place as necessary:

Communication
  • For amplified entertainment in outdoor areas or marquee, notify neighbours in advance of the event, with timings, including event end time and on-site contact number for event
  • Place notices at the entrances and exits to remind customers to leave quietly
Where amplified music is planned
  • Consider that in rural locations background noise levels can be very quiet so entertainment sound can be audible over greater distances, especially bass sounds 
  • Design layout of event to take account of close, noise sensitive premises. Face speakers away, locate stage area for least noise to neighbours
  • Keep any music or associated event noise (such as music levels including bass levels and public address systems) to a level that will not cause localised disturbance / nuisance, particularly after 11pm
  • Balance sound levels - excessive amplified bass or vocal sound levels can cause increased disturbance
  • Ensure event ends at agreed time
Where outside areas are available to guests / customers
  • Keep windows and doors closed during regulated entertainment, particularly after 11pm
  • Close gardens and outside areas at 11pm and move guests inside
Dealing with noise complaints on the day of event
  • Provide neighbours with an on-site contact number for the event
  • Ensure there is a noise complaints procedure and nominated responsible person to assess and address noise concerns at the time of receiving complaint
  • Communicate politely and constructively with any complainants

Noise nuisance complaints reported to the council

If we receive nuisance disturbance complaints about your entertainment or event this will be noted on the premises file and could affect future considerations of TENs / licensing applications. We would notify you of such complaints.