Shurugwi Town Council (Noise) By-laws, 2025
Shurugwi now licenses noise: US$50 a year for a CBD corporate permit, US$10 for a temporary residential permit, US$40 for noise from a CBD business, US$250 for obstructing an officer — and equipment can be impounded and auctioned.
These by-laws regulate noise in the Shurugwi Town Council area: suppression of noise generally, regulation of noisy businesses, trades and machinery, temporary noise permits, the powers of authorised persons, obstruction, impoundment of equipment, disposal of unclaimed equipment, cancellation of permits and penalties.
Equipment, gadgets or machinery may be impounded. The council publishes in a widely circulating newspaper a list of items unclaimed for 30 days, gives owners a further 30 days, then sells the rest by public auction — deducting its charges and paying any balance to the owner within 30 days, into a special account, with anything unclaimed 30 days after the sale forfeited to the council.
A permit is cancelled if its holder is penalised for any contravention, must be returned within 48 hours, and cannot be renewed for a year from cancellation.
Fees are US$20 to apply for an exemption; permits in the central business district cost US$50 for corporates and US$30 for individuals, and US$20 for a business or organisation elsewhere. Temporary noise permits cost US$10 to apply, US$10 for residential, US$30 for a CBD business and US$20 for a business elsewhere. Impoundment and storage cost US$20 a day.
Penalties are US$40 for business noise in the central business district, US$25 for business noise at other centres, and US$250 for hindering or obstructing an authorised person.
What changed
- Noisy businesses, trades and machinery require a council permit
- CBD permits cost US$50 for corporates and US$30 for individuals; other areas US$20
- Temporary noise permits cost US$10 residential, US$30 CBD business and US$20 elsewhere
- Sound equipment may be impounded at US$20 a day and auctioned if unclaimed after two 30-day periods
- Business noise carries US$40 in the CBD and US$25 elsewhere; obstructing an officer US$250
Who this affects
- Bars, churches and businesses generating noise in Shurugwi
- Event promoters needing temporary noise permits
- Residents affected by noise
- Owners of impounded sound equipment
Plain-language summary — not legal advice. Always read the full instrument.