Baden‑Württemberg sets quiet‑hour rules for lawn mowers and garden tools

The Baden‑Württemberg Ministry of Transport issued the Device and Machine Noise Protection Ordinance (32 BImSchV), which defines when noisy garden equipment may be used in residential areas. On Sundays and public holidays the operation of devices such as lawn mowers, leaf blowers and chainsaws is prohibited all day. On weekdays the devices may be used only between 07:00 and 20:00; operating them between 20:00 and 07:00 is forbidden. Use is also restricted to dry ground.

For especially loud devices (leaf blowers, trimmers, free‑cutters and leaf collectors) the ordinance adds stricter intervals: they may not run from 07:00‑09:00, 13:00‑15:00 and 17:00‑20:00. Consequently, they are permitted only during 09:00‑13:00 and 15:00‑17:00 unless the machine carries the communal environmental label, which grants an exemption.

These rules apply across various zones, including general residential areas, small settlements, recreation zones, spa and clinic districts, tourist accommodation sites and the grounds of hospitals and care facilities.