Just in time for the beginning of spring, the question of the permitted times for mowing the lawn is present. Due to the high noise level, rest periods were stipulated by law. Find out here when operating the lawnmower is permitted.
When are you allowed to mow lawns in Germany?
In Germany you can use motorized lawnmowers from Monday to Saturday between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Mowers with an EU eco-label are allowed between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. Hand mowers may be used at any time, including Sundays and public holidays.
General rules
The 32nd Federal Immission Control Ordinance provides the following generally applicable guidelines for the operation of lawn mowers in Germany.
| General times | Motor lawnmower | Mowers with EU Ecolabel | Hand mower |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday to Friday | 9am-1pm and 3pm-5pm | 7am-8pm | allowed all the time |
| on Saturday | 9am-1pm and 3pm-5pm | 7am-8pm | allowed all the time |
| Lunchtime | 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. | none | none |
| on Sunday and public holidays | not allowed | not allowed | allowed all the time |
Very quiet electric and cordless lawnmowers are marked with the yellow-blue EU eco-label and are not subject to the lunchtime regulations. Trimming the lawn with a hand mower (€59.00 on Amazon) is permitted at any time - even on Sundays and public holidays.
States and municipalities issue special regulations
In addition to the regulation presented above, the federal states, cities and municipalities have the right to regional regulations. It is therefore advisable to obtain detailed information before mowing your new lawn for the first time. Failure to comply with noise protection regulations is not a trivial offense and is punishable by fines of up to 50,000 euros.
Not all areas are affected
The legal regulation as to when lawn mowing is permitted or not permitted essentially affects residential areas. Quiet times do not apply within commercial and industrial areas due to the general level of noise.
Tips & Tricks
Despite all understanding of the necessity of mowing the lawn, the noise during well-deserved rest times gets on your nerves and, in the worst case, makes you sick. This harassment does not have to be tolerated. With the help of a dedicated noise protocol, comprehensible evidence can be documented.