11/08/2021
Jamaica National Noise Standards
(Extracted from the Recommendations for National Noise Standards for Jamaica, 1999)
The Recommended Zone Limits:
ZONE Industrial
Commercial Residential Silence
7 a.m. to 10 p.m. 75 dBA
65 dBA 55 dBA 45 dBA
10 p.m. to 7 a.m. 70 dBA
60 dBA
Notes
The measurements are to be made at the property line from which the sound is emitted or at the nearest point possible beyond that line. If the source of the sound is on public property then measurements are to be made at a distance of between 3 m and 4 m from the source. This excludes the mechanical noise made by moving vehicles, but includes other noise (such as music) from such vehicles.
Industrial Zone
Lands designated Industrial Zone shall generally be industrial where protection against damage to hearing may be required, and the necessity for conversation is limited.
The land uses in this category would include, but not be limited to, manufacturing activities, transportation facilities, warehousing, mining, and other lands intended for such uses.
Commercial Zone
Lands designated Commercial Zone shall generally be commercial in nature, areas where human beings converse and such conversation is essential to the intended use of the land. The land uses in this category would include, but not be limited to, retail trade, personal, business and professional services, government services, amusements, agricultural activities, and lands intended for such commercial or institutional uses.
Residential Zone
Lands designated Residential Zone shall generally be residential areas where human beings sleep or areas where quiet is essential to the intended use of the land.
The land uses in this category would include, but not be limited to, single and multiple family homes, hotels, prisons, religious facilities, cultural activities, forest preserves, and land intended for residential or special uses requiring such protection.
Silence Zone
Lands designated Silence Zone shall generally be special areas where peace, tranquility and extreme quiet is essential to the intended use of the land.
The land use in this category would include, but not be limited to, hospitals, educational institutions and courts. In order to ensure silence at such premises the zone should extend to an area of 100 metres around such institutions. Certain activities (e.g. the use of car horns and loudspeakers) are banned in a silence zone.
Traffic
• Limits for moving vehicles: VEHICLE Motorbike
Motorcar
Small Commercial Vehicle Large Commercial Vehicle
NOISE LIMIT 85 dBA
85 dBA
90 dBA
95 dBA
• Limits for stationary vehicles:
Same as above but measured at a distance of 7.5 m from the side of the vehicle and with the engine at half-
maximum revs.
Notes:
A small commercial vehicle is one of gross (unloaded) weight of less than 5000 kg .The measurements for moving vehicles should be made at a distance of 7.5 m from the centre of the roadway and using the FAST setting on the sound meter.
