The noise level in Moscow is quite high and it is not always possible to be in silence during the daytime, and sometimes at night. Life in a metropolis leaves its mark. Nevertheless, there is current legislation in the capital - Law of July 12, 2002 No. 42 “On maintaining peace and quiet of citizens in Moscow,” which is unofficially known as the law on silence in Moscow. Since January 1, 2021, the official text of the described document has not been subject to changes or adjustments. Let's get acquainted with the legislation in more detail.
Playing a musical instrument on the weekend
Legal basis of the silence law
The permissible level of noise and vibration in residential premises is regulated by sanitary and epidemiological standards and GOSTs. They are based on studies that have shown the harmful effects of increased noise levels on the human body.
Moscow legislators adopted Law 42, which is colloquially called the Law on Silence in Moscow. They establish the following standards:
- a period of time during the day when noise cannot be made (quiet hour);
- a period during which you can do repairs and listen to music loudly;
- a list of sounds that cannot be made at night (singing, moving furniture, etc.);
- exceptions.
What actions are prohibited?
The law on silence in Moscow has not changed in 2021. The version in force since January 1, 2021 has not been changed.
The law imposes restrictions on certain activities at night (from 23:00 to 07:00).
So, paragraph 1 of Art. 2 laws are prohibited:
- play any musical instruments;
- sing loudly (both alone and in company);
- listen to music, radio, television programs at high volume levels;
- listen to loud music in cars, nightlife establishments;
- carry out home repairs;
- move pieces of furniture making noise (including dropping something on the floor, running, making other loud noises);
- use a car horn in an area where people live.
These restrictions apply not only to persons living in an apartment building, but also to citizens who are in places of temporary stay (dormitories, hospitals, hotels, etc.).
The noise level is considered high at night if it is more than 45 dBA (conversation at a volume level is above average). Loud conversation (50 to 70 dBA). Screaming and loud laughter corresponds to 75 dBA. For daytime, a reading greater than 55 dBA is prohibited. Permissible deviations are up to 5 dBA. Noise levels can exceed the norm only in extreme cases: natural disasters, accidents.
Silence law in 2020
The law of silence in Moscow defines a list of sounds that are considered noisy and prohibited at the time established by regulations:
- music from recreation organizations located near residential premises;
- rearrangement of furniture, loading work;
- scandals and quarrels;
- dog barking;
- carrying out repairs and redevelopment;
- music and TV shows played with poor sound levels.
An additional advantage of the new law is the establishment of an hour of silence from 13.00 to 15.00. This period is designated for children's daytime sleep.
Where to turn when neighbors are noisy
Complaints from residents about neighbors disturbing the peace are one of the most common complaints in legal practice. In an apartment or private building, music played at full volume, as well as drilling with a hammer drill or noisy renovations, often become a bone of contention.
Prohibited at night
But there is a law that prescribes a time of silence that must be observed not only in the apartment of a residential building, but also in the courtyard and on the street. However, not everyone is ready to comply with the law.
How much noise can you make on weekdays and weekends?
The law separates the ability to make noise on weekdays, weekends and holidays. The period of free time from restrictions is established by Moscow legislation. You can rearrange, play with the dog and drill the walls on weekdays at certain times:
- from 09.00 to 13.00;
- from 15.00 to 19.00.
Exceeding the established noise level on holidays is possible in the following cases:
- on Saturday;
- when carrying out repair work related to the safety of residents;
- prevention and elimination of natural disasters;
- when holding events by religious organizations.
In other cases, it is illegal to exceed the noise level on weekends.
The law on silence in the Moscow region provides for a longer period of time for carrying out noisy work. It amounts to:
- from 09.00 to 13.00;
- 00 to 21.00 (on weekdays);
- 00 to 22.00 (on weekends).
One can note the diametrical approach of legislators in Moscow and the Moscow region to ensuring silence in residential buildings. In addition, weekends are not grounds for suspending repairs.
Are noise-making activities allowed on weekends?
The answer to this question mainly depends on the following factors:
- nature of noisy work;
- a type of day off (Saturday or Sunday).
So, if the work being carried out is related to repairs in an apartment or non-residential premises located in an apartment building, then they can only be carried out on Saturday.
Sunday should be a day off. This conclusion follows from the content of clause 1.1 of Art. 2 of Moscow City Law No. 42. With regard to noise work not related to repairs, there are no time restrictions. They can be held on any day of the week, including weekends. At the same time, at night all loud manipulations should be suspended.
When can you renovate your apartment?
To avoid disturbing the peace and quiet of citizens, the law establishes a period for carrying out repair work. The issue of silence is problematic for Moscow residents. Since 2002, there have been repeated attempts to regulate it in various regulations. The first law on silence in Moscow did not regulate the issue of repair work, which, given the volume of construction in the city, was initially a mistake.
After several unsuccessful options, changes were made to the new silence law:
- night time is the period from 23.00 to 07.00;
- the list of works that are classified as noisy has been added;
- there is a ban on redevelopment and noisy renovations on holidays and Sundays;
- the period for noisy activities is from 09.00 to 19.00;
- from 13.00 to 15.00 there is an hour of silence;
The exception is new buildings. Repairs can be carried out in them at any time, within 1.5 years from the date of delivery of the house.
What law establishes the regime of silence in the capital?
The main regulatory act regulating the time of peace and quiet for residents of this territory is Moscow City Law No. 42 dated July 12, 2002.
Within the framework of this legislative act, the following points are disclosed:
- a list of actions the commission of which entails a violation of the peace and quiet of citizens;
- procedure for bringing to responsibility for failure to comply with the procedure prescribed in the above-mentioned Law.
What is called noise, how to deal with neighbors and legal entities who do not comply with the rules of silence, and what law regulates all this? Read about this in a separate article.
Acceptable noise level
Due to the fact that the concept of “loud sound” is figurative, the legislator has provided for a more specific expression of noise. The unit of sound measurement is the decibel.
The official text of the document provides for the following norms:
- during the day – from 40 to 55 dB;
- during the night – from 30 to 45 dB.
To understand the noise level at a household level, compare it with a car alarm. Its level is 80 dB.
What is noise
Before examining the new legislative framework, it is necessary to understand what is meant by the term “noise”.
In the standard formulation, noise refers to sound vibrations of different ranges, intensities and sources of origin. That is, noise will be any sounds in the house or apartment, as well as those coming from the outside - from the street or from neighbors.
Important! When it comes to the legislative framework, the wording of noise changes slightly. It has the following form - any sounds exceeding the established standard in decibels.
New law on silence
Law
Violation of the silence regime is an action that is punishable in accordance with the measure established by regulatory enactments. The legislative framework regulating hours of almost absolute silence did not appear today. It has existed for almost 30 years and has been modified more than once. But even with the adjustments, its main provisions were outdated, and deputies proposed adopting a new version of the law.
Important! After the adoption of the federal regulatory framework, regions will have the right to independently determine when it is forbidden and when it will be possible to make noise. This is the key difference between the new version and the current one.
The issue of forming quiet periods not only at night, but also during the day is also being considered. For example, repair work and some activities accompanied by increased noise levels (singing songs at home karaoke, playing musical instruments, moving heavy furniture, shouting and talking loudly) are planned to be prohibited during daylight hours.
From what time and until how long can you make noise in an apartment according to the law?
Traditionally, the day is divided into 2 periods:
- 23.00-7.00;
- 7.00-23.00.
At night, making noise is strictly prohibited. Music, loud conversations, repairs and more are prohibited.
During the daytime, a quiet interval is also allocated - these are the hours from 13.00 to 15.00. On weekends and holidays, the night ban is extended until 10 am.
Important! The exception is the night from December 31 to January 1. On this date, loud celebrations, the organization of fireworks in courtyards, and even noisy work that exceeds the decibel standard are acceptable. Regional authorities can equate other dates to New Year's Eve at their discretion.
Acceptable noise level
This parameter is based on the generally accepted norm. The human ear is relatively comfortable at noise levels of 45-50 dB. This is an ordinary quiet conversation between two or more interlocutors. During the daytime, this level is considered legal.
At night, the maximum should not reach 45 dB. It is better if the noise does not exceed 30 dB. This indicator is typical for human whispers or the rustling of falling leaves.
Noise limit time
It is worth noting that regions have their own noise restrictions. But in general terms the rules are identical:
- night – from 11 pm to 7 am;
- on weekends the hours are extended to 9-10 am.
During the daytime (weekdays), the period of rest from extraneous sounds can be set in one of the following types:
- 13.00-15.00;
- 17.00-19.00.
Important! On holidays, the noise level is usually set according to the type of weekend. But the regional authorities have the right to change it in any direction and notify the population about this a day before the festive event.
What kind of noise is considered a violation?
Excessive noise.
Anything that exceeds the norm. This definition means:
- screams;
- sounds made by animals;
- noise from cars with installed sports elements;
- fireworks and firecrackers;
- loud equipment, including TV;
- drilling and other sound accompaniment of repairs;
- music and so on.
In what places is it prohibited to make noise?
First of all, in residential areas, excessive noise levels by residents or guests in apartment buildings and cottage communities are prohibited. You cannot make loud noises in social institutions:
- hospitals;
- schools, kindergartens, universities;
- sanatoriums;
- hotels, hostels, inns;
- dormitories.
Moreover, the ban also applies to local areas. For example, a company making noise on a playground at night will incur administrative penalties for failure to comply with legal rules.
What to do if neighbors violate the law on silence
The law defines a list of bodies that ensure control over violation of the peace and quiet of citizens. All Moscow citizens who believe that their peace of mind has been violated have the right to contact them. Main organs:
- police;
- Rospotrebnadzor;
- Management Company;
- court.
In most cases, noisy work in a residential building is carried out by neighbors. This is one of the main reasons for disturbing the silence in the city. You can combat this using the following methods:
- conversation with the culprit of the noise;
- contacting the police;
- statement to the local police commissioner;
- written appeal to the Housing Office;
- application to Rospotrebnadzor;
- lawsuit.
The possibility of administrative punishment encourages citizens to carry out work in Moscow during the daytime. However, first you need to use peaceful methods.
Fines for violations
A fine is provided for violating the Moscow city law. Administrative liability is defined by the Moscow Code of Administrative Offenses (Article 3.13):
- the citizen will be fined in the amount of 1 to 2 thousand rubles;
- sanctions for an official will be determined in the amount of 4 to 8 thousand rubles;
- violation of the law will cost a legal entity a penalty of 40 to 80 tr.
These measures are driven by the need to ensure peace and quiet for citizens.
As practice shows, they turn out to be quite effective.
Peaceful settlement
The first way would be to have a peaceful conversation with the offenders. It is often possible to agree with neighbors on the period of work to be carried out without involving specialized authorities.
If the conversation does not reach a result, it is necessary to begin a pre-trial procedure for resolving the issue. At this stage, it is necessary to involve Rospotrebnadzor.
The main function of this organization is to protect the rights of citizens. Breaking the silence will be a reason for specialists to visit the house and measure the level with a device. However, the event is paid.
As a result, Rospotrebnadzor will issue a conclusion that the level has been exceeded. The district commissioner will draw up a protocol on the administrative violation.
Calling the police
In accordance with the law, citizens can involve police officers in any case of non-compliance with silence in apartment buildings. In practice, residents of high-rise buildings resort to this measure only when their rights are systematically violated.
The police squad will draw up an administrative protocol. If the violation is repeated, neighbors will receive a fine.
An effective method is a collective statement from the residents of the house. A competent resident or initiative group fills out an application and collects signatures from other residents. The document is handed over to the district police officer at a personal reception.
How long can you listen to music loudly in an apartment in Moscow?
You can listen to loud music in the capital on weekends and weekdays. There is no quiet time planned for listening to tunes in the apartment. You may not be afraid to break the silence at the times indicated below.
| Weekdays | 7–23 |
| Weekends and holidays | 7–23 |
Similar silence standards apply in private houses in summer cottages in Moscow. By law, they listen to music loudly in the private sector and at the dacha in SNT every day from 7 to 23 hours.
Loud music
The Moscow Law on Silence regulates repair work and noisy daytime. At night, noise is prohibited in the apartment. By violating the time of silence, you can run into administrative liability. Those who live and work in Moscow should not forget about this.
Drawing up an application
To draw up an application, you can contact a lawyer. A competent specialist will help in the proper preparation of the document.
However, if desired, the initiative group can independently draw up a statement in free form. It includes:
- name of the district police department;
- data of the district commissioner;
- FULL NAME. applicant or initiative group data, including contacts;
- name of the application;
- description of a conflict situation (for example, a neighbor violated an hour of silence);
- indication of the time of violation;
- reference to noise law;
- statement of request.
- date of application and signature of the applicants.
When submitting an application to the district police officer, you must ask for a copy of the document with a mark of acceptance for consideration. In the future, in case of going to court, a full list of statements to the police, management company, housing office, Rospotrebnadzor and other authorities will form the evidence base.
Measures to deal with noisy neighbors
There are several ways to influence those who make noise at inappropriate times. Depending on a particular situation, you can choose one of the options:
- Contact your neighbors yourself, explain to them that they are wrong, and ask them to stop their actions that violate the law. For the most part, this method works immediately, so subsequent steps are not required.
- Call the police. If the conversation does not help, then law enforcement officials will help resolve the situation.
- If the police squad did not help, then you can contact the local police officer. The apartment will be registered. It will be periodically checked for compliance with the silence law.
- Going to court. This method is applied to persistent offenders who regularly organize parties and dances.
- Collective complaint to the administration. Compiled by dissatisfied residents. The worst option for the offender would be deprivation of his apartment.
