🔨 When may I do noisy renovation work in a block of flats without breaking the law?

With conditions

Quick answer

There is no national daytime ban on noisy renovation — ordinary renovation noise is not an offence — but night noise between 22:00 and 6:00 is punishable under ZJRM-2. Slovenian law has no single "timetable" for drills and hammers, so daytime renovation noise is ordinary noise and generally not an offence. Under the Public Order Act (ZJRM-2), in force from 2026, disturbing peace or rest with noise between 22:00 and 6:00 is an offence carrying a fine of EUR 200 to 400 for an individual (with an exception for urgent emergency-maintenance work). Additional, often stricter rules are set by the building's house rules (e.g. an afternoon quiet period and a duty to notify neighbours of works). The law gives no special status to Saturdays, Sundays or holidays. The myth that the fine for noise is just a few tens of euros comes from the old ZJRM-1 (EUR 83 to 209) — under ZJRM-2 the amounts are higher, and excessive, over-long noise can also be a civil nuisance.

📋 The rules

There is no national daytime ban on noisy renovation; ordinary noise from renovating a flat is not treated as excessive noise and is generally not an offence.
Disturbing peace or rest with noise between 22:00 and 6:00 is an offence under ZJRM-2; an individual faces a fine of EUR 200 to 400.
An exception to the night ban is urgent emergency-maintenance work (e.g. an urgent repair of a leak) that cannot be postponed.
The building's house rules may set stricter rules (an afternoon quiet period, notifying neighbours of works) and are binding on all residents.
The law gives no special status to Saturdays, Sundays or holidays; noise that is excessive or lasts unreasonably long can also be a civil nuisance under the Property Code.

🔓 Exceptions

Urgent emergency-maintenance work at night is not an offence — this covers repairs that cannot be postponed without danger to people or property.
If the house rules set stricter limits than the law, those apply; a breach of the house rules can be handled by the building manager and lead to a warning or a report.
Excessive, prolonged and unreasonably loud noise can be a prohibited nuisance under the SPZ, allowing a neighbour to sue to stop it and claim damages regardless of the time of day.

⚠️ Penalties & fines

For disturbing rest with noise at night (between 22:00 and 6:00), the police can fine an individual EUR 200 to 400 under ZJRM-2; for a company, sole trader or responsible person the amounts are higher. Daytime ordinary renovation is not an offence, but if the noise becomes excessive, over-long or unreasonably loud, it can be treated as a prohibited nuisance: a neighbour can bring a civil claim to stop the disturbance and for damages, with court and lawyer costs falling on the losing party. A breach of the house rules can be handled by the building manager and lead to a warning, and repeated breaches to a report. If the renovation is carried out without a required permit or intervenes in common parts and the load-bearing structure without the consent of the co-owners, you risk further measures from the building inspectorate and the co-owners. Uninformed neighbours and undocumented damage to common parts often trigger long disputes within the building that also burden the reserve fund.

📎 Official sources

Last verified: 2026-07-12

❓ Frequently asked

At what hours may I do noisy renovation?

During the day there is no national ban, as ordinary renovation noise is not treated as excessive. Night noise between 22:00 and 6:00 is an offence under ZJRM-2 at EUR 200 to 400, and the building's house rules, which are often stricter, apply on top.

May I drill on a Saturday or on public holidays?

The law gives Saturdays, Sundays and holidays no special status, so the same rules as for weekdays apply during the day. Check your building's house rules, though, as they often set a quiet period and limits on works at weekends and on holidays.

What is the fine for night noise during renovation?

For disturbing rest with noise between 22:00 and 6:00, ZJRM-2 sets a fine of EUR 200 to 400 for an individual. The old figures of around EUR 83 to 209 come from the previous ZJRM-1 and no longer apply, and for companies the fines are higher.

What can I do if a neighbour renovates noisily for weeks?

If the noise is excessive and lasts unreasonably long, you can treat it as a prohibited nuisance and sue to stop it and for damages. Report a breach of the house rules to the building manager, and night noise to the police, who can impose a fine.

Do I have to notify my neighbours about renovation?

The law sets no general duty to notify, but the house rules of a multi-apartment building often require it. Notifying neighbours of the scope and duration of works is advisable, as it reduces disputes, and interventions in common parts need the co-owners' consent.

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