Noise, neighbours and finishing times

If you are planning an event with music, speeches or amplified sound, event venue noise restrictions should form part of your venue check. Requirements can vary by council, venue and location, and inner-city events may need particular care because residential neighbours can be close by.

Where the limits come from

Noise requirements can come from more than one source.

Depending on the location and event, you may need to consider:

• Local council requirements
• State rules
• Venue conditions
• Building requirements
• Existing planning conditions
• Residential neighbours

The answer is therefore not the same for every Australian venue.

An event in a dedicated venue surrounded by commercial properties can present different noise considerations from an event in a mixed-use building with apartments nearby.

Before booking, ask the venue what noise restrictions apply to the space and whether any council requirements are relevant to your event.

You can compare event spaces on Spacenow and then check the specific restrictions for your shortlisted venue.

Live music, DJs and amplified sound

Live music and DJs can create a different noise profile from speeches or background music.

Ask:

• Is amplified sound permitted?
• Are there restrictions on volume?
• Is there a hard finish time?
• Can speakers face particular directions?
• Are outdoor speakers permitted?
• Are doors required to remain closed?
• Does the venue have existing sound equipment?
• Are there restrictions on bass or low-frequency sound?

Do not assume that a venue advertising itself for events automatically permits every type of entertainment.

If your event depends on live music or a DJ, make that clear at the enquiry stage.

For general information about noise regulation, check the relevant state or local authority for the venue location rather than relying on a national rule.

What a hard finish time means for your run sheet

A hard finish is more than the time when the music stops.

Your run sheet may need to allow for:

1. Final performance
2. Last announcements
3. Guest departure
4. Music and AV shutdown
5. Lighting changes
6. Supplier pack-down
7. Equipment removal

If the venue has a fixed finish, work backwards from it.

For example, your last song may need to finish before the official venue close so staff and suppliers have time to shut down equipment and clear the space.

Build that buffer into the production schedule from the beginning.

If you are planning a complex event, Spacenow's concierge team can help you communicate the type of event and space requirements you need to check.

How to plan a late event without a problem

Start by choosing a venue that suits the type of event you are planning.

Then ask about:

• Noise restrictions
• Finishing times
• Outdoor sound
• Neighbouring residences
• Sound equipment
• Supplier pack-down
• Guest departure
• Transport after the event

Inner-city venues can be particularly sensitive to noise because residential buildings may sit close to commercial and event spaces.

The best approach is to design the run sheet around the venue's actual constraints rather than trying to make the venue fit a schedule afterwards.

You can also compare different event venue options based on the type of experience and timing your event requires.

FAQ

Can we have live music?

It depends on the venue, location and applicable noise requirements. Ask the venue and relevant authority whether live or amplified music is permitted and what restrictions apply.

What time do inner-city venues usually have to finish?

There is no single finishing time that applies to every inner-city venue. Requirements can vary according to the council, venue, building and event, so confirm the specific finish time before you book.

Noise restrictions are easiest to manage when you know about them before the event is booked. Check the venue's requirements, consider neighbouring properties and build the hard finish into your run sheet from the start.