Basement-construction-vibration-guideline

This guideline provides the framework to comply with vibration management plan conditions that may be
set as part of a planning development approval.

This guideline does not set dB noise limits (decibels) for basement construction, however these may form part
of a separate noise management plan general requirement.

Vibration levels referred to within this guideline relate to the effects on human comfort and not to structural
aspects.

2.2       Definitions
             Building work includes works, activities, events and practices for, or in connection with, the
              construction, alteration, demolition or removal of a building as defined by the Building Act
              1975.
             Class 1a is defined by the National Construction Code.
             Assessable development is defined by the Planning Act 2016.
             Accepted development is defined by the Planning Act 2016.

2.3       Requirements to be applied
The table below outlines the different types of development and what requirements apply (indicated with
X).

Table 1: What requirements apply
                                                                        Development
                                     Hours of work are
                                                                        conditions           Development
                                     between 6:30am - 6:30pm
                                                                        may require a        conditions may
 Development type                    Monday - Saturday
                                                                        noise                require a vibration
                                     (excluding public
                                                                        management           management plan
                                     holidays)
                                                                        plan
    Class 1a house or
                                                   X
    structure1
    Building work as City Plan
                                                   X
    accepted development1

    Building work as City Plan
    assessable development,                        X                            X
    no basement2
    Building work as City Plan
    assessable development,                        X                            X                       X
    with basement3

1
  Where basement construction forms part of a house or accepted development, applying the principals
of this guideline may assist to reduce the impacts of basement construction on the neighbouring
properties without involvement by the City. For building work as ‘accepted development’ (no planning
development approval) the Environmental Protection Act and the City’s Local Law 8 and 8.1 apply, these
documents restrict the hours of work and provide a process for assessment of out of hours work
requests/permits.

2
 A noise management plan may be conditioned on development affecting adjoining properties. Noise
management plans are not covered by this guideline.

3
 Where a development with a basement is approved by the City that may have noise and vibration
impacts on adjoining properties a vibration management plan may be conditioned in the planning
development approval.

A conditioned vibration management plan will require approval by the City prior to the commencement of
work. Vibration monitoring may also be required under part 4.5 of this guideline.


 CONSTRUCTION VIBRATION MANAGMENT GUIDELINE (A45139253)                                         Page 4 of 13