In short
- Rīga municipality publishes interactive noise maps by noise source.
- The maps show the yearly average level for the full day, daytime, evening and night.
- The night level matters most, along with which side the bedroom faces.
- The m²cena report shows the noise level at the building without searching a map.
Where to find the Rīga noise map
Rīga is the only agglomeration in Latvia that must produce strategic environmental noise maps. They are reviewed every five years. The latest maps were made in 2021 and approved by a Rīga City Council decision of 27 April 2022.
The maps are published by the Rīga municipality's Housing and Environment Department in its "Vides troksnis" (Environmental noise) section. There are five interactive maps:
- road traffic noise;
- railway and tram noise;
- air traffic noise;
- industrial noise;
- all noise sources combined.
For each map you can choose the full-day average, daytime, evening or night level. To see the value, click on the coloured zone by the building.
How to read the noise level
Noise is measured in decibels, dB(A). The scale isn't linear: plus 10 dB sounds roughly twice as loud to the human ear.
The zones on the map are coloured by level. A simple way to read them: compare your building with a few others in the same neighbourhood. A building on a main road or tram line will usually be in one of the loudest zones, while buildings one row back from the street can be much quieter.
| Indicator | What it means | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Full-day average (Lden) | Yearly average with extra weight on evening and night | The overall picture of the place |
| Day | Average from morning to evening | Working from home, children |
| Evening | Average in the evening hours | Rest after work |
| Night | Average at night | Sleep, the most important indicator |
How to check noise on site
The map shows the yearly average. It doesn't show the neighbour's dog, the bar on the ground floor or the building site that started last month.
- Visit on a weekday morning and evening, and on a Friday night
- During the viewing, close the windows and listen, then open them
- Check which side the bedroom faces
- See whether there are tram tracks, a railway, a flight path or a factory nearby
- Ask the neighbours about noise from bars, shop deliveries or construction
Noise in the m²cena report
Check a Listing shows the average traffic and environmental noise level at the building: the full-day average, day, evening and night, plus a simple rating: quiet, moderate or noisy. That lets you compare several flats without opening the map for each one.
If a new road or construction is planned nearby, the noise can change. More in our article on construction nearby.
Common questions
Where can I find the Rīga noise map?
On the Rīga municipality Housing and Environment Department website, in the "Vides troksnis" section, there are five interactive maps by noise source.
How often are noise maps updated?
Strategic maps are reviewed every five years. The current ones were made in 2021 and approved in 2022.
Are there noise maps for other cities?
Strategic maps are mandatory only for Rīga as the only agglomeration. Major roads and railways may have their own maps, so ask the municipality or the road or railway operator.
How much do new windows reduce noise?
Good windows can cut noise in the room a lot, but only when they are closed. With the window open in summer you will hear the street again.
Sources
- Vides troksnis: Rīgas aglomerācijas trokšņa stratēģiskās kartes · Rīgas valstspilsētas pašvaldības Mājokļu un vides departaments
- Rīcības plāns vides trokšņa samazināšanai Rīgas aglomerācijā 2024.–2028. gadam · Rīgas valstspilsētas pašvaldība
This article is for information only and is not legal, financial or tax advice. It may contain mistakes or be out of date, so check it against official sources or with a specialist before you decide. m²cena accepts no liability for any loss or damage arising from the use of the information in this article.