General rule
The 32nd Federal Immission Control Ordinance gives the following generally applicable guidelines for the operation of lawnmowers in Germany.
also read
- At what times is lawn mowing permitted?
- Mowing the lawn and mulching go hand in hand
- When are hedges and trees allowed? - Look at the Federal Nature Conservation Act
| Generally applicable times | Motor lawn mower | Ecolabel mower | Hand mower |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday to Friday | 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. | 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. | allowed throughout |
| on Saturday | 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. | 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. | allowed throughout |
| Afternoon rest | 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. | no | no |
| on Sunday and public holiday | not allowed | not allowed | allowed throughout |
Very quiet electric and cordless lawnmowers are marked with the yellow-blue ecolabel of the EU and are not subject to the regulations for lunchtime. Pruning the lawn with a hand mower is allowed at any time - including on Sundays and public holidays.
The federal states and municipalities issue special regulations
In addition to the ordinance presented above, the federal states, cities and municipalities have the right to regional regulations. It is therefore advisable to obtain detailed information before mowing the new lawn for the first time. Disregarding noise protection regulations is not a trivial offense and is punishable with fines of up to 50,000 euros.
Not all areas are affected
The statutory regulation as to when lawn mowing is permitted or not, essentially affects residential areas. In commercial and industrial areas, the quiet times do not apply, given the general level of noise.
Tips & Tricks
With all understanding of the necessity of mowing the lawn, the noise tears on your nerves during well-deserved rest periods and, in the worst case, makes you sick. This harassment does not have to be accepted. With the help of a dedicated noise log, comprehensible evidence can be documented.
