Swiss neighbourhood bans children from playground on Sundays due to noise

In Sissach, a town in Basel-Landschaft, a housing management company has introduced new rules to enforce official quiet hours (Ruhezeit) and curb noise disturbances in the local neighbourhood. Noisy children have been banned from using the local playground during official rest hours, including after 8pm and on Sundays.

New playground rest hours spark debate among residents

While it may make some people smile, the sound of children laughing, screaming or crying may not evoke the same joy for everyone. So much so that property management company Adimmo has recently introduced new rules on when children can use a playground located close to a block of apartments.

According to notices shared at entrances to the surrounding buildings, the playground can now only be used until 8pm on weekdays, 6pm on Saturdays and “noisy activities are prohibited” on Sundays and public holidays, reports 20 Minuten.

The regulation may surprise some, with one reader asking, “Where are we that children are being restricted in their games like this?”, but for others it is just another example of an attempt to protect Ruhezeit and Sunday as a day of rest in Switzerland.

Tenant complaints trigger stricter Swiss quiet-hour enforcement

Interestingly, when asked by 20 Minuten, Adimmo confirmed that the request actually came from tenants themselves: “[we] received feedback and complaints repeatedly from all the buildings surrounding the playground over a long period.”

Not everyone is in agreement, though, with some local residents “dismayed” by the new rules. “There has never been any disturbance that could have prompted complaints,” explained one tenant.

“A little noise doesn’t bother us. They’re children! In the summer, they sometimes stayed outside longer, but it was so hot!” explained another, adding that “when they’re too noisy, I tell them directly and kindly. That’s always worked well so far.”

The property management company confirmed that since the rules were introduced, things have “significantly improved.”