Can I do noisy renovation work in an apartment block during rest hours in Albania?
Yes, but within the noise levels and within the hours your municipality sets. The myth is "it is my home, I renovate whenever I want" — no. There is no single national timetable for renovation; instead Law no. 9774/2007 (amended by Law no. 50/2023) sets the permitted noise levels — indoors at night around 35-40 dB, by day around 55-65 dB — while the exact quiet hours are set by the municipal regulation. The State Police measure the level with certified equipment and can order the work stopped on the spot. In Tirana, disturbing noise outside the permitted hours is fined 1,000 to 20,000 lek. Mind the reading: on the street this is heard as 10,000-200,000 old lek, but it is the same amount. And beyond the fine, persistent disturbance of the neighbours opens civil liability for the damage.
📋 The rules
- Law no. 9774/2007 (amended by no. 50/2023) sets the noise levels: indoors at night around 35-40 dB, by day around 55-65 dB.
- The exact quiet hours, when noisy works are barred, are set by your municipality's regulation, not by a single national timetable.
- The State Police measure the noise with certified equipment and can order it stopped on the spot.
- Local fines apply — e.g. in Tirana 1,000-20,000 lek for disturbing noise outside the permitted hours.
- Beyond the fine, persistent disturbance of the neighbours creates civil liability for the damage.
🔓 Exceptions
- Urgent repairs (a water leak, a safety hazard) are reasonable, but must be minimised and the neighbours notified.
- Licensed activities follow the hours and limits of their own permit.
- Enclosed spaces may operate more freely on hours, but must still respect the permitted decibel levels.
⚠️ Penalties & fines
The cost starts with a local fine: in Tirana, disturbing noise outside the permitted hours is fined 1,000 to 20,000 lek. Mind the reading on the street: these are 10,000 to 200,000 old lek — the same amount, just spoken in old lek. The State Police measure the level with certified equipment and can order it stopped on the spot; for a noisy activity, suspension may follow. Beyond the fine, persistent disturbance of the neighbours opens civil liability for the damage and, in a block, the administrator or co-owners may step in. There is also a cost that is not invoiced: a renovation done with no regard for the quiet hours ruins the relationship with the whole entrance. The practical rule: work within the hours your municipality sets and within the levels of the law, and notify the neighbours before you start.
📎 Official sources
- QBZ · Law no. 9774/2007 (amended by no. 50/2023) on noise →
- Ministry of Tourism and Environment · environmental noise →
- Municipality of Tirana · rules on public quiet and fines →
❓ Frequently asked
Is there an official national timetable banning noise?
Law no. 9774/2007 sets the permitted noise levels, but the exact quiet hours are set by your municipality's regulation, not a single national timetable. That is why renovation may be barred at different hours depending on the city where you live.
How big is the fine for excessive noise?
In Tirana, disturbing noise outside the permitted hours is fined from 1,000 to 20,000 lek under the municipal regulation. In speech these are heard as 10,000 to 200,000 old lek, but it is the same amount; other municipalities have their own tariffs.
Who measures the noise and who intervenes?
The State Police are responsible for keeping the public peace and measure the level with certified equipment. They can order the work stopped on the spot and, for a noisy activity, its suspension may also follow.
The neighbour renovates all day — what do I do?
First check the municipality's quiet hours and notify him politely; if it continues outside the hours or above the levels, you can call the police, who measure the noise. Persistent disturbance also opens the civil route for damages and, in a block, the co-ownership administrator steps in.
Can I do urgent renovation outside the hours?
For urgent repairs such as a water leak or a safety hazard, the work is reasonable, but it must be minimised and the neighbours notified. This does not give you the right to do noisy, non-urgent works during the quiet hours just because it suits you.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “quiet hours apartment block albania”
- “renovation noise law albania”
- “fine for noise albania”
- “when is noise banned at night”
- “renovation in block hours”
- “noise complaint neighbour”