Noise Abatement

Noise pollution control encompasses all legal, technical, and planning measures designed to protect people in residential and work spaces from the harmful effects of noise. It is highly relevant for homebuyers and property owners because noise significantly affects a property’s value and quality of life. The legal basis is provided by the Federal Immission Control Act (BImSchG), the Technical Instructions on Noise (TA Lärm), and DIN 4109 (Sound Insulation in Building Construction).

Legal Basis: BImSchG, TA Lärm, and DIN 4109

The Federal Immission Control Act requires operators of facilities (commercial, industrial, and recreational) to avoid harmful environmental impacts-including noise. The Technical Instructions on Noise (TA Lärm) defines emission guideline values for various types of areas:

• Pure residential areas (WR): 50 dB(A) during the day, 35 dB(A) at night
• General residential areas (WA): 55 dB(A) during the day, 40 dB(A) at night
• Mixed-use areas (MI): 60 dB(A) during the day, 45 dB(A) at night

DIN 4109 regulates the structural requirements for sound insulation in buildings-minimum requirements and enhanced sound insulation levels for noise-sensitive rooms. Since its 2018 revision, DIN 4109 distinguishes even more clearly between minimum requirements and voluntary enhanced sound insulation requirements (VDI 4100), which is relevant for the purchase of new-construction apartments.

Noise mapping according to the EU Environmental Noise Directive

Since 2002, the EU Environmental Noise Directive has required member states to create strategic noise maps for agglomerations, major roads, and major railways. In Bavaria, these maps are publicly available through the Bavarian State Office for the Environment (LfU). For Nuremberg, the city publishes its own noise maps that comprehensively depict exposure to road, rail, and airport noise.

These maps are a valuable tool for buyers: Anyone wishing to check the noise situation of a property before purchasing can enter the property address into the noise maps of the BayernAtlas or the Nuremberg City Data Platform and view the noise levels.

Noise Protection as a Quality Factor in Real Estate Purchases

When purchasing a property, prospective buyers should actively look for noise sources in the surrounding area:

• Traffic noise: proximity to federal highways, highways, railroad tracks, or Nuremberg Airport
• Commercial noise: industrial areas, nightclubs, restaurants, sports facilities
• Neighborhood noise: in apartment buildings, also within the building (impact noise, airborne noise between apartments)

Noise screening tools from state environmental agencies (in Bavaria: LfU) and noise maps based on the EU Environmental Noise Directive are freely available and provide information about the noise situation at your desired location.

Technical Sound Insulation for Renovations and New Construction

For renovations and new construction, sound insulation can be significantly improved through structural measures:

• Soundproof windows with increased sound insulation (Rw ≥ 35 dB for high-noise locations)
• Sound-insulating partition walls and ceilings in apartment buildings
• Soundproof ventilation systems (silencers in the ventilation duct) if windows must remain permanently closed due to noise
• Soundproof walls and earthen embankments as exterior measures along heavily trafficked roads

In urban areas with high levels of outdoor noise, a combined approach is often advisable: High-quality soundproof windows combined with a controlled ventilation system allow for fresh air without opening the windows-and thus comfort despite noise pollution.

Practical Tip for Homeowners in Nuremberg and Franconia

In Nuremberg, the challenge lies primarily along arterial roads (e.g., Fürther Straße, Äußere Sulzbacher Straße) and around the Frankenschnellweg and Güterring. Buyers of apartments in these locations should check the City of Nuremberg’s noise map (available online) and consult a noise protection expert. In our property listings, we explicitly point out known sources of noise and help you realistically assess the quality of living. As a rule, good housing solutions can be found even in noisy areas-the key is that the property is structurally designed to handle the noise pollution.

Frequently Asked Questions

As a property buyer, am I entitled to noise protection measures from the road authority?

Only if the road authority makes a significant change to the road (e.g., lane expansion, speed limit increase). In the case of existing traffic noise without any changes, there is generally no entitlement to government noise protection measures.

What is the difference between airborne sound and impact sound?

Airborne noise propagates through the air (voices, music, road noise), while impact noise is caused by physical vibrations (footsteps on the floor, falling objects). Both are reduced by different construction measures: airborne noise by heavy-duty partition elements, impact noise by elastically decoupled floor constructions.

Can I ask my neighbor to reduce the noise?

Neighborhood noise in Bavaria is regulated by the Bavarian Immission Control Act (BayImSchG) and the Bavarian Immission Control Ordinance (BayImSchV). Unreasonable noise can be addressed through the public order authorities or via a civil injunction.

How much does street noise reduce property value?

Studies show that an increase in outdoor noise levels of 10 dB(A) can reduce property value by approximately 5-8%-depending on location, the purchasing power of the target demographic, and existing structural soundproofing measures. In tight markets such as Nuremberg, the reduction in value is often smaller than in less competitive regions, as alternative options are rare.

How much do soundproof windows cost, and who bears the costs?

The cost of soundproof windows with a high sound insulation rating (Rw ≥ 35 dB) ranges from 600 to 1,500 euros per window, including installation, depending on the size and manufacturer. For an apartment with six windows, this means total costs of 3,600 to 9,000 euros-an investment that pays off in noisy locations through improved quality of life and long-term value retention. For rental properties, soundproof windows can be passed on to the rent as a modernization measure (11% of the costs per year added to the annual rent, § 559 BGB), provided the formal requirements-written notice three months in advance-are met. Under the KfW federal subsidy program for energy-efficient buildings (BEG EM), window replacement measures are eligible for funding provided certain U-value requirements are met; the current subsidy amounts to up to 15% of eligible costs.

Noise Protection as a Planning Consideration in New Construction

Anyone building a new home on a property in a noise-affected location in Nuremberg should take noise pollution into account as early as the building permit application phase. The Nuremberg City Planning Office requires a noise protection certificate as part of the building permit documentation in certain noise protection zones (e.g., along the Frankenschnellweg or the rail tracks of the marshalling yard). The following planning measures are typical:

• Soundproof floor plan: Bedrooms and children’s rooms are planned on the side facing away from the noise; kitchens, bathrooms, and storage rooms serve as buffers toward the noisy side
• Facade insulation with increased sound insulation: Plaster construction and insulation materials can reduce sound transmission through the exterior wall by several dB
• Loggia instead of balcony: Enclosed loggias offer significantly better sound insulation than open balconies, without sacrificing outdoor space

This forward-thinking planning avoids costly retrofits and creates comfortable living conditions from the start-even in urban locations with background noise.

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