What are the construction noise limits near homes?
For residential buildings less than 150 m from a site, NEA's limits for work begun on or after 1 October 2007 are 75 dBA averaged over 12 hours from 7 am to 7 pm, 65 dBA averaged over one hour from 7 pm to 10 pm, and 55 dBA averaged over one hour from 10 pm to 7 am, Monday to Saturday. Five-minute limits also apply: 90, 70 and 55 dBA respectively. Readings are taken one metre outside the affected building.
From the RRD Field Guide, checked against the sources cited in Construction Noise and Working Hours in Singapore: NEA Limits, Sunday Rules, Condo and HDB Renovation Hours. General information, not advice for your project.
The fuller picture
NEA limits construction noise near homes within 150 m to 75 dBA (12-hour average) from 7 am to 7 pm, 65 dBA (1-hour) from 7 pm to 10 pm and 55 dBA (1-hour) overnight, with stricter limits near hospitals and schools. Sites within 150 m of homes or hospitals cannot work from 10 pm Saturday to 7 am Monday, or over public holidays, without a permit. Fines reach S$40,000.
More questions on this topic
- What time can construction start in Singapore?
- Is construction work allowed on Sundays in Singapore?
- What is the fine for breaching construction noise limits?
- What are the renovation hours for HDB flats?
- What are the renovation hours in a condominium?
- How is construction noise measured and monitored?
- Do the NEA construction noise limits apply to office fit-outs?