Lights

Scarborough does not have any streetlights. This is by choice. We want to appreciate the night sky unhindered from outside lighting. Outside lights also affect wildlife. Please take care that your outside lights are facing downwards. Do not light up your neighbours’ houses, the mountain, or the rest of the village. 

The Scarborough preference is for outside lights to be turned off at night. If you are concerned about security, it is far better to install lights with motion sensors than to leave bright lights on throughout the night. Motion sensor lights should also be downward-facing, and not light up your neighbours' houses (be aware of trees/bushes that may trigger the motion sensor).

Noise

Please show consideration for others. If you are planning a party, warn your neighbours, or invite them. If you are throwing a huge all-nighter, use one of the village communication channels to pre-warn people so that it does not come as a nasty surprise. 

Try to contain the noise within your house.

A reminder to your garden services to please comply with our conservation village and noise abatement guidelines. The use of unnecessary and loud equipment such as leaf-blowers not only detracts from a peaceful human environment but has negative impact on wildlife and the general health of your garden biosphere. 

Keep the leaves! 

They are your best mulching friends and provide valuable habitats for innumerable life forms.

About building noise:

Regulation F6 of National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act, 1977 (as amended 30.05.2008) states:

(2)(a) No person shall during the course of any building, demolition or excavation work use any machine, machinery, engine, apparatus, tool or contrivance, which in the opinion of the local authority may unreasonably disturb or interfere with the amenity (comfort, peace) of the neighbourhood:

(i)    on a public holiday or Sunday

(ii)    before 06:00 or after 17:00 on any Saturday; and

(iii)   before 06:00 or after 18:00 on any day other than those days contemplated in subparagraphs (i) and (ii)

(b) The prohibition in paragraph (a) shall not apply in any circumstances in which the use of such machine, machinery, engine, apparatus, tool or contrivance –

(i)    is urgently necessary in order to preserve the life, safety or health of any person;

(ii)    is urgently necessary to preserve property;

(iii)   has been authorized by the local authority; or

(iv)   is necessary for the execution of work being carried out on behalf of any public authority.

(3) Any owner or person who contravenes a provision of this regulation shall be guilty of an offence.

Follow this link to report a noise disturbance: https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Report/Report-noise-pollution/Report-a-noise-disturbance