Building sites

Development is a fundamental part of the City of Melbourne’s urban environment, but construction works need to be controlled so they don’t become a nuisance for those who live in, work in or visit our city.

Council’s Activities Local Law 1999 has provisions that aim to improve the amenity of the municipality by minimising nuisances caused by building works. Nuisances include noise, dust, vibrations, obstructions to pedestrians or traffic and conditions that pose a risk to public safety. These provisions enable council to better coordinate activities around construction sites.

To apply for a building / construction permit or for more information about the permit process, please visit Building and Construction. 

Applicants may be required to provide a construction management plan for council approval. A construction management plan can assist builders and developers to manage issues such as noise.

Prescribed hours

Building works are only permitted at certain times. Within the City of Melbourne, the prescribed hours under council's Activities Local Law is restricted to the following:

Major building construction sites

Owner builder (do-it-yourself) on a single dwelling or unit

Monday to Friday: 7am to 7pm
Saturday: 8am to 6pm
Sundays: 9am to 6pm
No works permitted on Christmas Day and Good Friday.

Sunday restrictions for owner builders

The use of air or gas compressors, pneumatic power tools including hammer and any other impact tools or grinding equipment for building work, without a permit, is prohibited on Sundays.

Minor works pertaining to owner builders

Minor building work on a dwelling outside the specified hours is permitted, subject to the works not exceeding an acceptable sound level as determined by an authorised officer. The use of any equipment / tools as specified above is also prohibited under these circumstances.

Failure to comply with the requirements of this local law will result in penalties and fines being issued by the City of Melbourne.

Permission to work outside the prescribed hours

Anyone wanting to carry out building works outside the prescribed times needs an out of hours permit from the City of Melbourne’s Site Services Group.

Two days notice is required before a permit can be issued. For application forms and further information, see Building permits or contact the City of Melbourne on (03) 9658 9658.

Tips for reducing building noise

• Check with council to ensure your hours of operation comply with the Building Permit conditions / Activities Local Law.
• Do noisy work at times that least affect neighbours.
• Enclose noisy equipment or place sound barriers between the noise source and the neighbours.
• Fit and maintain mufflers on equipment and vehicles.
• Organise site deliveries for times that have minimal impact on neighbours and other local traffic.
• Erect signs to inform people when to expect noise and provide an all-hours contact number.
• Respond promptly to noise complaints.
• Seek the quietest option when buying new equipment.  
• Work as far away as possible from neighbours and away from sensitive areas such as bedroom windows. 
• Service your equipment regularly. Lack of maintenance can cause higher noise levels.
• Install an acoustic enclosure for fixed equipment such as compressors or vacuum equipment. 
• Modify equipment. Discuss this option with the manufacturer or installer.
• If noisy work is planned, such as jack hammering, concrete cutting and pouring, discuss this with neighbours beforehand. A notice on site or distribution of leaflets explaining the hours and duration of operation may help prevent complaints.

For further information, or for 48-hour notification of works, contact:

Building Control Group
Level 3, 240 Little Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Phone: (03) 9658 9658
Email: Contact us