Can I make noise at home? Quiet hours
Yes, but without causing disturbing noise, especially during quiet hours. Noise is governed by Law 37/2003 on Noise and, mainly, by municipal by-laws, which set the maximum levels and the quiet hours (often 23:00 to 07:00, though it varies by town). At night you must avoid loud music, parties, building works or any noise that disturbs neighbours. Excessive daytime noise can also be sanctioned. In an owners' association, nuisance activities can lead to formal notices and, in serious cases, to court action under the Horizontal Property Law.
📋 The rules
- Governed by Law 37/2003 + municipal by-laws
- Usual quiet hours: 23:00 to 07:00 (varies by town)
- Disturbing noise over the allowed levels is banned
- Excessive daytime noise is also sanctioned
- In a building: nuisance activities can lead to legal action
🔓 Exceptions
- Occasional, reasonable everyday noise: tolerated
- Building works: hours authorised by the municipal by-law
- Festivals and events authorised by the council: specific framework
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Exceeding noise levels or breaching the quiet hours is an offence sanctioned with fines per the municipal by-law (often hundreds to thousands of euros) and, in serious cases, the withdrawal of a premises' licence. Police can measure the noise and seal equipment. In a residents' building, a repeated nuisance activity can end, after a notice, in a cease action and damages.
📎 Official sources
- BOE · Law 37/2003 on Noise →
- Administración · Noise and coexistence →
- Ministry for Ecological Transition · Acoustic pollution →
❓ Frequently asked
What time do you have to lower the noise?
It depends on the town, but quiet hours usually run from 23:00 to 07:00. In that window you must avoid disturbing noise (loud music, parties, works). Check your town's noise by-law for the exact hours.
What's the fine for noise?
Sanctions are set by the municipal by-law and usually run from hundreds to thousands of euros by severity and repetition. Police can measure the noise level and, where applicable, seal the equipment causing it.
Can I do building works at home?
Yes, within the hours authorised by the municipal by-law (usually weekdays and daytime). Outside those hours, building-work noise can be sanctioned and lead to neighbour complaints.
What do I do about a noisy neighbour?
Talk to them first; if it persists, you can call the local police to measure the noise, and file a complaint with the council. In an owners' association, you can demand the nuisance activity stop and, if it doesn't, go to court.
Is daytime noise sanctioned?
Yes. Although night quiet hours are stricter, excessive daytime noise over the by-law levels is also an offence and can be sanctioned.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “quiet hours noise spain”
- “fine neighbour noise by-law”
- “law 37/2003 noise”
- “night noise 23 00 07 00”
- “noisy neighbour what to do”
- “home works allowed hours”