Skip to main content

                    Do out of hours works on private land

                    Except where emergencies or permits allow, building works can only be carried out between 7am and 7pm Monday to Friday, and 8am and 3pm on Saturday. These times are our permitted hours of building works. You should get your work done in these hours.

                    '​Any times beyond the permitted hours are referred to as 'out of hours'. To do works on private land outside of the permitted hours of works, you must get an out of hours permit. 

                    Applications for out of hours permits are subject to approval and may be refused. 

                    Home owners and occupiers

                    If you want to do work on your own house, you can work extra hours over the weekend. 

                    As long as nobody is engaged for a fee or reward, you can work between: 

                    • 8am and 7pm on Saturday 
                    • 9am and 6pm on Sunday. 

                    You can do quiet works at any time. If you do work out of hours, you will need to keep noise below designated sound levels. 

                    To find out about designated sound levels, read the Noise and Vibration Management Guidelines

                    If your work is outside these hours, or for a fee or reward, you must get an out of hours permit. 

                    Why we control work hours

                    Work outside normal hours is a serious concern to residents. It’s a major source of complaints. 

                    Building works are confined to certain times under Part 9 of the Activities Local Law 2019. We are responsible for enforcing this and other local laws. 

                    Who can apply

                    Out-of-hours permits are issued at our discretion. Their approval is not guaranteed.  

                    You can only apply to do works out of hours for the following reasons:  

                    • works can’t be done in normal hours 
                    • over-sized vehicle loads can’t be transported during normal hours 
                    • the Department of Transport will not permit a road closure at any other time 
                    • the nature of the work makes it more desirable outside normal hours 
                    • you can demonstrate the works will not have an unreasonable impact on local amenity.  

                    Falling behind on your job or project isn’t a compelling reason for us to approve an out-of-hours permit. 

                    Works that aren’t noisy can still create a nuisance in public and private spaces. 

                    Higher chance of approval 

                    You have a higher chance of approval for works that aren’t audible from adjacent spaces. This includes: 

                    • plastering 
                    • carpet laying 
                    • painting 
                    • internal lift shaft works 
                    • line marking. 

                    A large vehicle delivery of a short duration is also likely to be approved. 

                    Noisy works 

                    We do not support noisy works being undertaken out of hours. This includes activities like: 

                    • excavation works 
                    • demolition works 
                    • concrete cutting 
                    • jackhammering 
                    • placement and collection of skips 
                    • operation of goods and personnel hoists 
                    • installation of lift core formwork 
                    • perimeter screen jumping or alterations 
                    • facade or glass installation.  

                    You shouldn’t apply for an out of hours permit to do these kinds of activities. It’s very likely they won’t be approved outside local law hours. These types of work should be done during the permitted hours of work. 

                    Cranes, hoardings and gantries

                    Some activities need to be undertaken out of hours for a range of reasons. 

                    This may include needing to reduce the impact to busy roads, other infrastructure and assets, or peak hour traffic flows.  

                    Crane jumps or hoist maintenance  

                    You can apply to do crane jumps or hoist maintenance out of hours. This must be from: 

                    • 7pm to 8pm – Monday to Friday 
                    • 3pm to 6pm – Saturday  

                    Crane or hoist installation and removal 

                    You can apply to do crane or hoist installation and removal out of hours. This must be between: 

                    • 3pm to 6pm – Saturday 
                    • 10am to 5pm – Sunday   

                    Gantry or hoarding installation or removal 

                    You can apply to do gantry or hoarding installation and removal out of hours. This must be between:  

                    • 3pm to 6pm – Saturday 
                    • 10am to 5pm – Sunday  

                    You can only apply to do works on a Sunday to continue the same works from Saturday. 

                    Supporting documents

                    You will need to attach supporting documents when you apply for an out-of-hours permit. 

                    Stakeholder notification 

                    You must provide a copy of the letter you will send to surrounding properties. 

                    See the notification letter template (DOC 350 KB)

                    Read more about managing stakeholders impacted by your works.

                    Noise and vibration 

                    You will need to provide details of how you will control noise and vibration. 

                    To find out more read the Noise and Vibration Management Guidelines

                    Heavy vehicles 

                    If your application involves over-dimensioned vehicles or superloads, you must submit one of the following: 

                    • a Department of Transport Memorandum of Authorisation 
                    • a National Heavy Vehicle Regulator notice. 

                    How to apply  

                    Fill in the online form to apply for an out of hours (on private land) permit. To start an application, you'll need to log in with your registered customer account. Find out more about how to register and log in.

                    You must explain why you need to perform the works out of hours, and attach supporting documents as part of your application.

                    Your application must be lodged at least three business days before the proposed works. 

                    After you apply

                    If approved, you must still be mindful of noise from the site, particularly if residents live nearby.

                    This includes noises from:

                    • radios
                    • raised voices
                    • setting up tools
                    • goods being delivered.

                    You must deliver your stakeholder notification to the occupiers of all properties within 50 m of any site boundary.

                    Amend, extend or cancel a permit

                    ​To amend, extend or cancel your permit, log in to City of Melbourne Services and navigate to the My Permits page. 

                    You can apply for a refund as part of the cancellation process. Application fees are not refundable or transferable.

                    Permit conditions

                    If you have an out of hours permit, you must adhere to the permit conditions.

                    If an officer determines there has been a breach: 

                    • you will have to cease works
                    • your permit will be revoked
                    • you may receive a fine of up to $2000.

                    If you are found in breach of your Construction Management Plan, you may be fined a further $2000.

                    Code of Practice for Building, Construction and Works

                    The Code of Practice for Building, Construction and Works in the City of Melbourne sets out all safety and amenity requirements when using or impacting public space for any kind of building, construction or general works.

                    These requirements are intended to protect the public and our property around sites where works are occurring.

                    Live chat embed code file
                      Was this page helpful?

                      If you'd like to give more feedback or ask a question, please contact us.