Can I make noise at home? And what if the neighbours do?
Yes, but without exceeding "normal tolerability". You can live in and use your home, but disturbing noise exceeding "normal tolerability" is banned: this is set by art. 844 of the Civil Code on nuisance. You must respect the building rules and quiet hours (generally night and afternoon slots), plus the acoustic limits set by the rules (a 1997 decree) and municipal regulations. If it's the neighbours disturbing, you can first talk to them, then send a written warning, contact the building manager, report to ARPA or the local police and, in serious cases, go to court to stop the nuisance. If the disturbance affects many people, it can also be a crime.
📋 The rules
- Noise beyond "normal tolerability" is banned (art. 844 Civil Code)
- Respect building rules and quiet hours
- Acoustic limits set by 1997 decree and municipal rules
- Against neighbours: warning, building manager, ARPA, local police
- Serious cases (disturbing many people): possible crime
🔓 Exceptions
- Temporary, reasonable noise (works, moving within allowed hours)
- The building rules can set stricter hours and limits
- Disturbing the rest of many people (art. 659 Criminal Code): criminal relevance
⚠️ Penalties & fines
If the nuisance exceeds normal tolerability, the disturbed neighbour can obtain from the civil court the cessation of the noise and compensation. Breaching municipal noise rules carries administrative sanctions. Disturbing the rest and activities of an indeterminate number of people (art. 659 Criminal Code) can have criminal relevance. To make your case, you need evidence: recordings with date and time, witnesses, possible ARPA sound measurements. It's best to start with dialogue and a written warning, involving the building manager.
📎 Official sources
- Normattiva · Civil Code (nuisance, art. 844) →
- Normattiva · Criminal Code (disturbance, art. 659) →
- ISPRA/ARPA · Noise pollution →
❓ Frequently asked
Until what time can I make noise at home?
It depends on the building and municipal rules, which set quiet hours (generally night and afternoon slots). In any case, even within allowed hours, you can't exceed the "normal tolerability" set by art. 844 of the Civil Code.
What does "normal tolerability" mean?
It's the threshold beyond which noise from a property unlawfully disturbs the neighbours. The judge assesses it case by case, considering the area, time, duration and intensity. Exceeding it makes the nuisance banned, even within allowed hours.
What can I do if neighbours make too much noise?
First talk to them, then send a written warning. You can involve the building manager, report to ARPA or the local police and, in serious cases, go to court to stop the nuisance and get compensation. Gather evidence of the disturbance.
Is neighbour noise a crime?
It can be. If the noise disturbs the rest or activities of an indeterminate number of people (not just one neighbour), it can be the crime under art. 659 of the Criminal Code. Between individual neighbours, you usually act in civil court instead.
How do I prove excessive noise?
With concrete evidence: audio or video recordings with date and time showing intensity and duration, statements from other residents and, above all, ARPA sound measurements of the levels. The more evidence you gather, the more effective your claim.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “neighbour noise what to do”
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- “disturbing rest 659 crime”
- “warning noisy neighbours”
- “noise limits arpa”