Noise limits (hygienické limity hluku)

Noise limits in Czechia are set by Government Regulation No. 272/2011 Coll. under the Public Health Protection Act. Whoever operates a noise source, such as a business, road, railway or airport, must ensure the noise does not exceed the limits (Section 30 of Act No. 258/2000 Coll.). The limits apply to the protected outdoor space of buildings, i.e. the space up to 2 m in front of the facade of family houses, apartment buildings, schools or hospitals, and to protected indoor spaces such as habitable rooms.

Main limits outside a home

Since 1 July 2023, the following equivalent level (LAeq) limits apply to the protected outdoor space of residential buildings (day 6-22 h, night 22-6 h):

• Stationary sources, such as businesses and equipment, including a neighbour's heat pump or other ventilation and heating equipment: 50 dB by day, 40 dB at night.
• Roads and railways permitted after 31 December 2000: 60 dB by day, 50 dB at night (railways and trams 55 dB at night).
• Roads and railways permitted before 1 January 2001: 68 dB by day, 58 dB at night (railways and trams 63 dB at night).
• Air traffic: 60 dB by day, 50 dB at night.

Noise inside a flat

In habitable rooms, the limit for noise coming from outside is 40 dB by day and 30 dB at night. For buildings approved for use by the end of 2005, 5 dB is added where noise from motorways, class I and II roads and local roads, from a railway within its protection zone, or from trams and trolleybuses prevails.

What to watch out for

• The limits are not the same as the strategic noise map, which calculates annual Ldvn and Ln indicators, while limits are assessed with LAeq.
• For traffic the whole day (16 h) and night (8 h) are assessed; for stationary sources the 8 loudest consecutive hours of the day and the loudest hour of the night.
• Human and animal voices and outdoor music are not assessed as noise under the Act. Normal use of a neighbouring house is not either, except ventilation and heating equipment.
• Only an accredited or authorised person may measure noise under the Act; supervision is carried out by the regional public health authority (krajská hygienická stanice).

Frequently asked questions

Why does an old road have a higher limit?

For roads and railways permitted before 2001, a correction of +18 dB is added to the 50 dB base. Amendment No. 433/2022 Coll. introduced it from 1 July 2023 in place of the former +20 dB correction for so-called old noise burden.

What if a source does not meet the limit?

The operator may ask the public health authority for permission to apply a less strict limit, but must show that noise has been reduced as far as reasonably achievable (Section 31 of Act No. 258/2000 Coll.). This is not possible for air traffic.