From and until when can you mow the lawn?

There are different types of lawn mowers with different operating volumes. The time frame in which you use which lawnmower and whether you can cut your lawn on Sunday is regulated by the Noise Protection Act.

Equipment and machine noise protection ordinance

Since 1992, lawn mowing has been covered by noise protection, although this was regulated and expanded in 2018 via the European Equipment and Machinery Noise Protection Ordinance. It is about the limitation of operating times based on official rest periods and areas of use. The decisive factor for the various regulations is primarily the noise level of a lawnmower, which is linked to the respective noise limit values.

Noise limits

In the Noise Protection Act, a distinction is made between three noise limit values. These determine which lawnmower is classified as quiet, medium-loud and very loud. The times and days during which a lawnmower can be operated is based on these classifications. There are also statutory provisions

Limits for certain types of lawn mowers.

Up to 88 decibels

quiet devices
mostly electric lawn mowers

From 88 decibels to 103 decibels

medium-loud devices
mostly smaller petrol and more powerful electric lawnmowers

Over 103 decibels

loud devices
mostly old and / or powerful petrol lawn mowers

TIP: If the old lawnmower is one of the noisy devices and is subject to time restrictions by law, the problem can be quickly solved by buying a new lawnmower. For some years now, manufacturers have been banned from marketing lawnmowers that are louder than 103 decibels. For smaller lawnmowers, the limit is 96 decibels.

Working days

The lawn mower can be used on working days. Generally, however, the lawn is cut between 8 p.m. and 7 a.m. on weekdays

Prohibited in the mornings to ensure that the night rest is free from disturbance. This regulation applies to all types of lawn mowers, regardless of whether they are classified as loud or particularly quiet. However, further time restrictions apply according to the respective noise limit values. The following regulations are decisive:

Quiet lawnmowers up to 88 decibels

Unrestricted lawn cutting is permitted on working days between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m.

Petrol and electric lawnmowers from 88 decibels to 103 decibels

between 7 a.m. and 1 p.m. and between 3 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Loud lawnmowers from 103 decibels

on weekdays only between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. and between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.

NOTE: Robotic lawn mowers are also among the quiet devices and can be put into operation on weekdays between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. Often they are barely audible, so that neighbors often do not even notice it. Especially quiet robotic lawnmowers are even offered for use at night.

Saturday

Until 2006, Monday through Friday were covered by working days. This was officially changed in 2006 so that Saturday is also one of the working days.

Sunday and public holidays

Although the use of a lawnmower also affects the permitted times, they still apply to everyone Lawn mower types regardless of the respective limit value area, a lawn mower ban on Sunday and on Holidays.

Noon rest

In most countries / cities, "lunchtime" is set between 1pm and 3pm. However, this may be from the state / municipality / city

vary. In some cases, the midday rest begins at 12 noon. This is often the case, for example, in spa areas.

TIP: It is advisable to ask the responsible municipality what time includes lunchtime or generally the rest periods with regard to noise protection regulations, in order to be on the safe side.

Exceptions

In rural regions and in areas where there is no high population density, such as industrial areas, the Noise Protection Act does not apply. Here we speak of so-called special areas, which count as such if either the "normal" noise corresponds to one Lawnmower equals or exceeds and / or neighbors live further away so that they are not disturbed to go out. The legal regulations in the village usually do not apply either.

Development plan as a basis

In order to assign an area to the exemption regulation, it is not sufficient to classify it yourself based on the existing development. The relevant development plan of the building authority is decisive for areas that are subject to an exception. For example, if there is a purely industrial area with no private residential development, usually no "neighbor" can refer to it Noise Protection Act invoked if a "running" lawnmower disturbed him during his afternoon nap during a break from work feels.