Can I do noisy renovation work in an apartment building, and when?
It depends — you can do noisy renovation, but only within set daytime hours and after notifying the municipality. Under the Law on Noise Management, planned construction or repair works in a residential setting must be notified to the municipality 7 days ahead. The popular myth that "there is one renovation schedule for all of Lithuania" is misleading: the permitted hours for noisy work are set by each municipality separately. In Vilnius, for example, noisy work is allowed on working days 07:00–19:00 and on rest days and holidays 09:00–17:00. During evening and night rest (evening 19:00–22:00 and night 22:00–07:00) disturbing neighbours' peace is prohibited under Article 488 CAO. And one change many miss: noise limit values are now set by HN 33:2026, while the old HN 33:2011 no longer applies.
📋 The rules
- Before construction or repair works you must notify the municipality 7 days ahead (Law on Noise Management, Art. 14)
- Hours for noisy work are set by the municipality — there is no single national schedule (Vilnius 07:00–19:00, rest days 09:00–17:00)
- During rest and night hours (19:00–22:00 and 22:00–07:00) disturbing the peace is prohibited (Art. 488 CAO)
- Disturbing public peace — a fine of €80 to €200, on repeat up to €300
- Noise limit values are set by HN 33:2026 — the old HN 33:2011 no longer applies
🔓 Exceptions
- Emergency and urgent works may be carried out outside working hours where safety requires it
- The exact permitted schedule varies by municipality (Kaunas until 22:00, Klaipėda from 08:00)
- Building-community or house rules may set a stricter regime than the minimum requirements
⚠️ Penalties & fines
The base fine is small, but it grows fast and can sprout from several articles at once. Disturbing public peace under Article 488 CAO carries a fine of €80 to €200, on repeat €200 to €300, and more for responsible persons or company heads. Breaching the Law on Noise Management and municipal rules under Article 48 CAO is punished by €100 to €600, on repeat up to €1,000. What people miss: the old "€50–300" figures repeated online no longer apply — they were raised in 2021, and the noise norms were moved into HN 33:2026. Officers can respond to a neighbour's complaint, and repeated breaches not only cost more — they become evidence in a civil dispute over improper use of the dwelling or breach of neighbours' rights.
📎 Official sources
- e-seimas · Law on Noise Management →
- e-seimas · CAO Articles 48 and 488 →
- e-tar · Hygiene norm HN 33:2026 →
❓ Frequently asked
When can I do noisy renovation?
The permitted hours for noisy work are set by each municipality, so there is no single schedule for all of Lithuania. In Vilnius, for example, noisy work is allowed on working days 07:00–19:00 and on rest and holiday days 09:00–17:00, so it is worth checking your own city's rules before starting.
Do I have to notify anyone about renovation?
Yes, under the Law on Noise Management, planned construction or repair works in a residential setting must be notified to the municipality 7 days ahead. This duty is often ignored for small flat renovations, but it formally applies and can matter if a dispute with neighbours arises.
What is the fine for noise?
Disturbing public peace under Article 488 CAO carries a fine of €80 to €200, and on repeat €200 to €300. Breaching noise-management rules under Article 48 CAO is punished more heavily — €100 to €600 — so the old "€50–300" figures no longer apply.
Can I drill on a Sunday?
That depends on municipal rules, as many cities restrict or prohibit noisy work on rest and holiday days. In Vilnius, for example, noisy work on rest days is allowed only 09:00–17:00, and in some places it cannot be done on Sundays at all.
What can I do if a neighbour is noisy during renovation?
First, calmly remind the neighbour of the permitted work hours, and if that fails, call the police or turn to the municipality. If the noise is during rest or night hours, Article 488 CAO applies, and repeated breaches are punished more strictly and can be used in court.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “when can i renovate in apartment lithuania”
- “renovation noise hours”
- “can i drill on sunday”
- “noise fine apartment building”
- “article 488 cao”
- “notify municipality renovation”