Demonstrations and Events

Title III of the Regulation (articles 6-11) regulates noise emissions produced during events in public places or places open to the public and temporary or mobile shows:

• concerts, shows, popular festivals, fairs, festivals, political and trade union demonstrations, charity events, funfairs, sporting events and any other event involving the use of sound sources with emissions EXCEEDING the current limits just for a limited time

• TULPS (Unified Text of Public Security Laws) entertainment and fun activities at Public Establishments (PE) only if complementary to the main activity and for a limited time.

Noise emissions produced by the above-mentioned events must be authorised with a specific provision of the competent Sector whenever at least ONE of the following conditions occurs:

• use of sound amplification/diffusion systems in external areas,

• forecast of exceeding current noise limits.

No derogation permits are issued in Campo Santa Margherita area, except for events approved by a City Council Resolution in the public interest.

Emissions produced by the following do not require authorization:

• New Year’s Eve and Redentore events until 4.00 a.m.,

• events organized by La Biennale Foundation for the Film Festival until 3.00 a.m.,

• temporary events with mobile sound sources (parades, marching bands, etc.) from 9.00 a.m. to 10.00 p.m.,

• fireworks during temporary events provided they last no longer than 45 minutes.

Outside of the above-mentioned hours, a specific exemption must be requested.

Requests for exemption authorizations must be submitted at least 30 days before the start of the event according to the instructions in annex A of the Regulation:

• if the event lasts < or = 12 consecutive days: application filled out with mandatory requirements, detailed program (days and hours), plan of the area/sources/receptors and description of sound sources and controls

• if the event lasts > 12 consecutive days: in addition to the above documentation, a DPIA (Predictive Noise Impact Assessment) signed by a technician specialized in acoustics is required. Below is a link to the National list of Technicians specialized in environmental Acoustics.

The Municipality can always request a DPIA signed by a technician specialized in acoustics.
In the permit, the Municipality can give prescriptions for hours and limits (artt 8-9), as well as impose the adoption of measures of noise reduction impact (e.g. stage location, sound sources orientation) and possibly request noise measurements to be taken during the event. Additionally, after site inspection, the Municipality can modify the specific conditions of the permit.

HOURS

Permits can be issued until 11:00 p.m..
For the Public Establishments (PE), permits are issue:

• inside the PE, only for events promoted or sponsored by the City,
• outside the PE, only if both conditions exist:
  • maximum n. of events per week: 1
  • maximum n. of events per year: 20

Permits may be issued for different conditions (times and PE conditions) for events approved by a City Council Resolution for reasons of general public interest (the City Council must indicate the authorizable hours).

LIMITS

Permits are issued for emission values on the facade of the most exposed receptors of 70 dB until 11 p.m. (limits expressed in Leq at 30 minutes).
Permits may be issued for different limits only for events approved by City Council Resolution for reasons of general public interest (the City Council must indicate the authorizable limits).

GENERAL OBLIGATIONS

The permit is issued upon payment of an administrative fee and must be retained and exhibited upon request.
The permit holder must take all necessary measures to minimize noise and inform all subjects involved in the acoustic exemption.

OBLIGATIONS REGARDING VINCA (Environmental Impact Assessment)

The new VINCA Regulation No. 4/2025 entered into force on 20 January 2025.

• If the activity takes place within a Natura 2000 area (SIC/ZSC), the VINCA documentation must be attached to the authorization application, as indicated in the Technical Annex of the Regulation.

• If, instead, the activity takes place outside Natura 2000 and has no direct or indirect effects on such Sites, the applicant must attach the appropriate form (Annex A) to the authorization application.

This regulation applies to events, construction sites, and film sets held within the municipal territory. Below is the link to download the editable Annex A Form.
For more informations, see VINCA web page of the Environmental Assessment Office.

OBLIGATIONS FOR PUBLIC ESTABLISHMENTS

Please remember that, whenever an application for authorization to derogate from noise limits for temporary entertainment activities in public establishments is submitted, it is also mandatory to submit the "SCIA (Certified Activity Start Report) for small entertainments or shows without dancing in private outdoor areas belonging to public catering establishments (which take place before midnight on the starting day and with a number of participants less than 200)" of competence of Settore Sportello Unico Commercio (e-mail
somministrazione.venezia@comune.venezia.it, phone 041 2747982)

SANCTIONS

1. art. 10, paragraphs 2 and 3 of Law no. 447/1995 (Framework Law on Noise Pollution)
   2. Anyone who, in the operation or use of a fixed or mobile source of noise emissions, exceeds the limit values referred to in Article 2, paragraph 1, established pursuant to Article 3, paragraph 1, letter a), shall be punished with an administrative sanction consisting of a fine ranging from 1.000 to 10.000 euros.
   3. Violation of the regulations referred to in Article 11 and of the provisions issued in application of this law by the State, regions, provinces and municipalities, shall be punished with an administrative sanction of a fine ranging from 500 to 20.000 euros.

2. Article 8, paragraph 3 of Regional Law No. 21/1999 (Regulations on noise pollution)
   3. In addition to those provided for in Article 10 of Law No. 447/1995, the following administrative sanctions are provided for:

1. anyone who violates the provisions regarding the exercise of outdoor or temporary activities referred to in Article 7 shall be punished with an administrative fine of between 300 and 900 euros;

2. the same sanction applies to anyone who violates the provisions relating to the derogation authorisation referred to in Article 7, paragraph 7;

3. anyone who, when using a fixed or mobile sound source, exceeds the limits established by the Municipality to protect particularly sensitive areas referred to in Article 2, paragraph 2(9), shall be punished with an administrative fine ranging from 1.000 to 3.000 euros.