Relevant regulations governing the operation of motor-driven machinery, tools, and gardening equipment are contained in the Act on Protection against Harmful Environmental Impacts from Air Pollution, Noise, vibrations, and similar phenomena (BImSchG), in conjunction with the 32nd Ordinance Implementing the Federal Immission Control Act (32nd BImSchV).

These regulations generally apply to both businesses and private individuals.
Thus, pursuant to Section 7(1)(1) of the 32nd BImSchV, equipment and machinery may be used in

• pure, general, and special residential areas,
• small settlement areas,
• special areas designated for recreation,
• spa and hospital areas, as well as
• on the grounds of hospitals and nursing facilities

may not be operated outdoors all day on Sundays and holidays, or on weekdays between 8:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.

Special regulations apply to

• brush cutters,
• grass trimmers and grass edgers,
• leaf blowers and leaf collectors,

that do not bear the Community Ecolabel (European Ecolabel) or do not meet the requirements for permissible sound power levels of Stage II as specified in Article 12 of Directive 2000/14/EC.

These may also be used between

• 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m.,
• 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m., and
• 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.

.

The competent authority may grant exemptions from the restrictions of Section 7(1) of the 32nd BImSchV in individual cases.

Pursuant to Section 7(2) of the 32nd BImSchV, no authorization is required if the operation of the equipment and machinery is necessary in individual cases to avert a danger during severe weather or snowfall, or to avert any other danger to people, the environment, or property.