In most places around the world, there are no laws specifically prohibiting the mowing of your lawn late in the day.
Some local communities and cities may have ordinances specifying that you cannot mow your lawn after a certain time. In most cases, it’s recommended that you never mow your lawn past around 8:00 p.m., and not between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
Is It Illegal to Mow Your Lawn at Night?
It is difficult to find places where mowing your lawn at night is actually illegal. The vast majority of cities and towns have no specific law stating that you cannot mow your lawn at a certain time of the day or not.
Some smaller communities may have ordinances that say differently, so it’s always best to check on that before you decide to mow your lawn after dark or first thing in the morning. There are also other things to consider when you want to mow your lawn at odd hours.
If you live in any type of planned or gated community, either condos or homes, it’s important that you read the laws of the homeowners’ association (HOA). These documents contain specific rules about what you can and cannot do when it comes to cutting your grass.
If your subdivision or housing development has an HOA, it’s a good idea to read the rules carefully because there may be something in there that specifically states that you cannot mow your lawn at certain times.
5 Things to Consider When Mowing Your Lawn at Night
If you have no other choice but to mow your lawn at night, below are a few things you should keep in mind.
1. Start as Early as Possible
It is always best to try to mow your lawn at times that won’t disturb your neighbors. If you absolutely have to mow at night, try starting as early as possible so it isn’t too late when you’re done.
Your neighbors will appreciate it if you’re finished mowing at 8:00 p.m. rather than 10:00 p.m. or even later.
2. Be as Quiet as Possible
Gas mowers and ride-on lawn mowers can be extremely loud, so if you’re going to mow your lawn after dark, try to do it only if you have an electric lawn mower or a push or manual lawn mower.
The louder the mower is, the more likely the neighbors will complain.
3. Check on Possible Noise Ordinances
While there may not be ordinances regarding mowing the lawn at night where you live, there is very likely a noise ordinance. Most medium-sized and large cities—and even some smaller towns—have noise ordinances, which means that after a certain time at night, noises above a certain decibel level are prohibited.
Many of these ordinances are in effect from 10:00 or 11:00 at night until around 7:00 in the morning, but check with the authorities in your area to see what they require.
4. Try to Consult with Your Neighbors First
If you can, it’s a good idea to consult with your neighbors before you cut your grass after dark. This is a courtesy that they’ll appreciate, and it’s better than having them sitting in their homes and experiencing unexpected loud noises from outdoors.
If they know you’re going to mow your lawn at night, they’ll likely be more tolerant of the episode.
5. Limit the Number of Times you Mow at Night
Along with the consultation with your neighbors, it’s also a good idea to make mowing your lawn at night a rare occurrence.
A lot of people will be more tolerant of your mowing after dark if they know it is only going to happen occasionally. Always try to mow at night when you absolutely have to and at no other time. This will work out best for everyone involved.
Can You Use Electric Mowers at Night?
Before you decide to mow your lawn at night, it’s a good idea to be familiar with the decibel level of your lawnmower. Keep in mind that anything over 85 dB is considered harmful to your hearing, and a basic electric lawn mower is typically 75-85 dB.
Other lawn mowers are quieter. The robot mowers are 55-60 decibels, while basic reel mowers are 60-70 decibels. In contrast, most gas-powered lawn mowers are 85-95 dB, self-riding gas-powered lawn mowers are 85-100 dB, and a large gas-powered self-riding lawn mower can be up to 105 dB.
While electric lawn mowers make less noise than many other types of lawn mowers, they are still not as quiet as robotic or basic reel mowers. Other lawn mowers, especially those that are gas-powered, are much worse.
What Time Is It Rude to Cut the Grass?
The general consensus is that you should start cutting the grass early enough so that you’ll finish the task before it gets dark. Most homeowners would agree that if you cut your grass between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., you’re being very rude and inconsiderate.
People prefer, however, that you finish cutting your grass no later than 8:00 p.m. Your neighbors will also be more tolerant if you’re using a very quiet lawn mower.
Can I Mow My Lawn After 7 p.m.?
You can mow your lawn after 7 p.m., but it’s best if you do this only when you know you’ll be finished mowing it by the time it gets dark. The amount of time you take to finish mowing the lawn will depend on many factors, so it’s best to plan ahead what time to start.
Can I Mow My Lawn After 8 p.m.?
While you are legally allowed to mow your lawn after 8 p.m. in most places, it is usually not wise to do so because mowing is loud and may disturb your neighbors.
Conclusion
It is always better to cut your grass during the day, but most people agree that if you’re going to cut it in the evening, you should try to be finished no later than 8:00, use a quiet lawn mower such as a manual or electric one, and make it a rare occurrence.
I am an accredited practicing dietitian, experienced gardener and a dedicated cook. I love writing and sharing my experience so you can learn from my successes and mistakes.