table of contents
- Regulations as a set of rules
- Regulations in residential areas
- Exceptions
- Fines
Whether yours on Saturday or Sunday race are allowed to mow is regulated by a nationwide noise protection ordinance. Different regulations may apply depending on the state or municipality.
Regulations as a set of rules
In 1992 a lawnmower ordinance was passed, which standardized the operation of the devices nationwide. So-called rest periods were prescribed during which the lawn was not allowed to be mowed. This ordinance was replaced by the Equipment and Machinery Noise Protection Ordinance (also 32. Ordinance for the implementation of the Federal Immission Control Act, in short: 32. Called BImSchV). It no longer only includes lawn mowers, but also other garden tools that can become a nuisance for neighbors due to the noise pollution. This ordinance regulates the operation of the devices outdoors.
Regulations in residential areas
In principle, the law prohibits the commissioning of Grass trimmers or edge trimmers, electric or gasoline-powered hedge trimmers, and lawnmowers outside of a specified period. The ban applies not only to residential areas, but also to small settlements, spa and recreation areas or clinic areas. The ordinance divides the week into working days as well as Sundays and public holidays. Saturday counts as a working day. These are the key points that apply nationwide:
- Mowing the lawn is permitted between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m.
- However, the permit is only valid from Monday to Saturday
- mowing the lawn is prohibited all day on Sundays and public holidays
Tip: If you need to mow your lawn outside of the allowed time, you should do so with a silent hand mower or hand shears. The use of such devices is not prohibited by law.
Exceptions
In the country, different rules apply than in the city. The ordinance does not apply in villages and mixed industrial areas. Here, lawnmowers can generally be used around the clock and on every weekday, as long as the operation does not violate the general rules of night rest. However, states and municipalities can themselves issue regulations that include areas that are excluded from the law. For this reason, in some municipalities it can happen that mowing the lawn is not permitted between 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. due to the applicable midday rest. There are also special regulations for particularly loud devices such as grass trimmers, which may only be operated between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. and from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays.
Note: It is best to find out from your local authority whether you can mow your lawn on Sundays.
Fines
Anyone who violates the ordinance or the regulations of the municipalities is committing an administrative offense and can be reported. Landlords can impose sanctions on tenants who do not follow the rules. If these do not help, the public order office should be called in. This is also responsible for homeowners who break the law. How high the penalty will be is decided on a case-by-case basis. In the worst case scenario, sinners can expect a fine of up to 50,000 euros.
Sources:
https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/bimschv_32/BJNR347810002.html
https://www.arag.de/service/infos-und-news/rechtstipps-und-gerichtsurteile/heim-und-garten/2831/?cookieSetting=true
https://www.nachbarrecht.com/thema/rasenmaeher-ruhestoerung.html
https://www.bussgeldkatalog.net/umweltschutzordnungswidrigkeiten/bimschv/
https://anwaltauskunft.de/magazin/leben/freizeit-alltag/darf-man-sonntags-rasen-maehen
