Noise limits in Latvian residential buildings are set by Cabinet Regulation No. 16, which defines maximum permissible indoor noise levels for different room types and time periods. Understanding these limits is the first step if you are dealing with a noise complaint or verifying compliance in a new building.
Day, evening and night periods
The regulation distinguishes between daytime, evening and nighttime hours, with stricter limits applying at night when people are sleeping. The limits are expressed in decibels (dB) and vary depending on whether the room is a living room, a bedroom, or another type of residential space.
- Daytime limits apply during waking hours and are the most permissive
- Evening limits are intermediate, covering the transition toward nighttime quiet
- Nighttime limits are the strictest, protecting sleep in bedrooms and sleeping rooms
Real-world dB examples
To put the numbers in context: a whisper is around 30 dB, normal conversation is roughly 60 dB, and city traffic noise reaching a window can be 65–75 dB. The difference between a compliant and non-compliant apartment often comes down to just a few decibels — which is why precise, calibrated measurement matters.
If you suspect your apartment exceeds the legal limits, we can perform accredited noise measurements and provide a documented report suitable for presenting to a builder, landlord or authority.