This act covers public noise nuisances such as those in the street, noisy vehicles, loudspeaker equipment, machinery, alarms fitted to cars and burglar alarms (London residents have a different and faster procedural route to deal with any noise from a burglar alarm.

The legislation stipulates 'summary proceedings in respect of noise in the street' and noise in the street to be a statutory nuisance, including nuisance caused by roads in Scotland.