Local nuisances

Learn what constitutes a local nuisance, and what we will and won't investigate.

What is a local nuisance?

Local nuisance is described in the Local Nuisance and Litter Control Act 2016 as being any activity that interferes with other people enjoying and feeling safe in an area. This includes not only private places (both indoor and out), but also public and community areas such as parks, recreation areas and commercial precincts.

It’s everyone’s responsibility to be mindful of unwarranted smoke, excessive noise, nuisance dust or unkempt properties. You must always seek to minimise these as much as possible.

We will investigate complaints about:

• Bill posting
• Littering and illegal dumping
• Noise, including from equipment, machinery, commercial or industrial premises, air conditioning compressors, domestic pool pumps and spas, and indoor venues/outdoor events
• Odours, including from insanitary conditions, dirty or poorly maintained rubbish bins and waste receptacles, uncovered compost heaps, rotting vegetation or food scraps, and storage of petrochemicals (oils, degreasers, kerosene)
• Smoke
• Dust
• Insanitary conditions
• Unsightly conditions

Are you experiencing one of these issues?

Before you contact us, try to discuss your concerns with the people (for example, neighbours) who are at the location where the nuisance is coming from, as they may not be aware that they’re causing a nuisance. Often simple solutions can be found which satisfy everyone.

Generally, we will only become involved if an issue within the community (such as between neighbours) can’t be fixed without our involvement or if the nuisance is a broad-scale issue involving multiple parties.

We don’t investigate complaints about:

• People noise, including music and voices from domestic premises. Call SAPOL on 131 444
• Any activity from liquor licensed premises. Call the Liquor Licensing Authority on 131 882
• Noise from vehicles, except for vehicles operating within, entering or leaving business premises. Call SAPOL on 131 444
• Activities controlled by an Environment Protection Authority SA licence. Call EPA on 8204 2004

Sometimes we grant exemptions from nuisance-causing activities

Exemptions may be reasonable for short-term activities – such as festivals, events or major construction activities – where some level of noise, dust, odour or other local nuisance is likely to be unavoidable.

Exemption applications must be accompanied by a nuisance management plan describing the steps that will be taken to prevent, minimise or address any adverse effects on the amenity value of the area concerned and also describing the exceptional circumstances that exist to justify the granting of an exemption.

Before you start an application for an exemption, please give us a call on 8405 6600 so that we can provide advice on your application, and provide you with the relevant forms if necessary.