Stop Noise Disturbance/Nuisance

The Department of Environmental Health (DEH) is advising residents, visitors, and individuals conducting events to refrain from loud noise activities within or in close proximity to schools, health care facilities, and residential premises.

The Department’s Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) have been conducting several investigations following an increased number of complaints in relation to noise from various sources including large events, construction or renovation activities, vehicle repairs, gym activities, homes, churches, and loud music from vehicles.

The DEH is also advising all that the failure to comply with an EHO’s request makes the offender liable in accordance with the following laws in the Cayman Islands:

a) The Public Health Act (2021 Revision) PART III-Nuisances Section 7 Subsection (2) (w):

For the purposes of this law any noise or vibration (other than noise or vibration caused by an aircraft), which is a nuisance, is a statutory nuisance.

b) The Town and Communities Law (Cap. 169) (1995 Revision) section 13 subsection (1) gives the Environmental Health Officer (EHO) the authority to require that a noise nuisance be abated. The subsection states that:

Any person who generates noise or is the occupier of premises from which such noise is emitted in excess of the prescribed levels shall reduce such noise to within such prescribed levels if required to do so by a constable or an environmental health officer.

Furthermore, there is concern that in addition to the direct effect on hearing, there are other related health conditions including sleep deprivation/prevention of sleep which is particularly dangerous for ill individuals and professionals such as pilots, surgeons and others for which a specific amount of sleep is required to allow for optimal functionality, and mental health effects. Additionally, social activities may be affected and students (at all levels) as well as persons working from home may be disturbed and this is undesirable.

Any resident or visitor to the Cayman Islands who becomes ill from these activities is encouraged to contact their medical provider immediately.

For further information on this matter, contact DEH’s Environmental Health Manager or Officers at tel. 949-6696 or by email at dehcustomerservice@gov.ky .