Guides
- What Is Jury Duty and How Does the Jury Selection Process Work?
- What Is a Verdict and What Happens After a Jury Delivers a Guilty or Not Guilty Decision?
- Noise Ordinances: Quiet Hours, Complaint Laws, and How to File a Noise Complaint
- What Is Harboring a Fugitive and What Are the Penalties and Jail Time for It?
- Are Written or Verbal Contracts Legally Binding and When Should You Use Each?
- When Your Driving License Can Be Revoked and What You Can Do About It?
- What Are the Hunting Laws and Permits by State in the USA?
- Is Drunk Driving a Felony, What’s the Punishment, and How Many People Die From It?
- What is Domestic Abuse vs. Domestic Violence, and What Are the Differences?
- What is a Roommate Agreement, What Are the Benefits, and What Should You Include?
- What is Public Indecency, and What Are the Laws, Charges, and Penalties?
- What Are the Pocket Knives Laws, Legal Lengths, and Rules for Illegal Types?
- What is Aiding and Abetting and What Are the Punishments and Charges for It?
- Where Can You Be Naked in Public and Celebrate National Nude Day?
- What Is Child Custody and How to File for It Without an Attorney
- What to Do if Someone Has Stolen Your Driver's License Number and How to Replace It
- What is Bail Jumping: Punishments and Jail Time for Failure to Appear in Court
- Dating a Minor: Is It Legal and What Is the Age of Consent?
- How to Conduct a Dating Profile Search and Find Someone on a Dating Site
- What is Personally Identifiable Information and Why is PII Protection Important?
- What Is a No-Fault Divorce, When Did It Start and Why It Can Be Bad
- The Differences Between Moving And Non-Moving Violations
- What are Aggravating and Mitigating Factors in a Criminal Case?
- What Is ADR: Process, Meaning And Examples
- Definition and Differences Between Conspiracy Theories and Conspiracy Charge
- How to Get a Divorce: Process, Stages and Required Papers
- Embezzlement as a White-Collar Crime: Definition, Meaning, and Examples
- What Is a Car Registration, How Much Does It Cost and How to Get One?
- Types of Email Archiving and How to Retrieve Them
- How to Protect Your Car From Theft or Report It Stolen
- How to Organize and Protect Your Personal Documents?
- How to Find and Reconnect With Old Friends: Proven Techniques That Work
- Business Records: Types, Examples and How to Search
- Right to Privacy: Is It Protected By The Constitution?
- Ownership and Tenancy in Severalty in Real Estate
- What Different Types of Marriages Are There?
- Should You Believe in Age Gap Rules Calculation
- What Is Driver’s License Status and How To Check It
- What Is Civil Marriage: Pros and Cons
- Top 5 Most Famous Serial Killers Of All Times
- What Was The Subprime Mortgage Crisis
- Most Famous Murder Cases Throughout History
- The Dynamics and Consequences of Ghosting Someone in Personal Relationships
- What is Incarceration? Definition, Process, and Impact
- What is A Mortgage-Backed Security (MBS)
- Is AI Dangerous? Unveiling the Risks of Artificial Intelligence
- What is a VPN?
- 7 Cybersecurity Threats to Look Out For
- What Are Debtors and Creditors, and What Are Their Legal Rights and Differences?
- What Are the Types of Business Ownership and How Can You Transfer It?
- What is a Tax Lien, How Does It Work & How to Stop One?
- What is the Difference Between Civil and Criminal Cases?
- Property Ownership Types You Should Know About
- Community Safety Initiatives: How to Make Your Neighborhood Safer
- What is a Lien and How Lien Priority Works?
- Campus Safety 101: Essential Tips for a Secure College Life
- How to Know If Someone Is Divorced?
- What are the CCPA and CPRA?
- How to Get Over a Breakup?
- U.S. Violent Crime Definition & Statistics
- The 5 Steps You Should Know When Adopting a Child
- What Is Criminal Profiling and Is It Really Effective?
- A Full Guide on Reasonable Suspicion vs Probable Cause
- What Is Email Encryption & How to Encrypt an Email?
- What is a White Collar Crime? A Full Guide
- Rental Scams: How Do They Work & How to Catch Scammers?
- A Complete Guide on Parole vs Probation
- How to Submit a Data Removal Request and Hide Results About You on Google Search
- A Full Guide on House Arrests
- A Complete Guide on Marriage and Civil Union
- How to Safeguard Yourself and Deal with Marriage Debt
- What is Eyewitness Testimony?
- A Full Guide on Gentrification: Why is it a Problem?
- 8 Most Dangerous Twitter Scams and How to Avoid Them
- Pretexting Attacks: Common Types and How to Deal with Them
- How Do Zelle Scams Work and Things to Look Out For
- What Is Business Email Compromise, How to Defend Against It?
- What Is a Wellness Check, What Does It Consist of and How to Call For It?
- What Is a Temporary Restraining Order and How Do You Get One?
- What is Smishing And How to Prevent it?
- Spam Emails: Types and Ways to Block Them
- Email Masking & Masked Email Addresses
- Spot a Fake QR Code & Avoid Getting Scammed
- Common NFT Scams to Look Out For & Ways to Avoid the Fake Ones
- What to Do If You Witness a Crime?
- What Is Skip Tracing and How Does It Work?
- How to Avoid Common Venmo Scams and Protect Yourself From Scammers
- Can You Get Child Custody If You Have a Criminal Record?
- Common Amazon Scams and Ways on How to Avoid Them
- How to Find Liens on a Property?
- Multiple Bankruptcies: How Often You Can File One?
- How to Adopt a Child in the US?
- I Lost My Birth Certificate. What Should I Do?
- Warning Signs of Job Scams and How to Protect Yourself
- What Is a Ban the Box Law?
- What is Expungement?
- How to Transfer Property After Death Without Will
- What Is a Police Blotter?
- How to Appeal a Parking Ticket
- What Is a Clean Driving Record, How It Affects Insurance and How to Keep It Clean
- What is Title Washing?
- What is Extortion?
- How To Run a Motorcycle Title Search
- What Is a Digital Footprint?
- What is Anti Money Laundering (AML)?
- Guide on How to Get a Death Certificate
- What is the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)?
- What is Multi Factor Authentication?
- What is a Citizen's Arrest?
- How to Know that You’re in an Obsessive Relationship
- Guide to Online Survey Scams
- 13 Different Types of Police Officers
- Full Guide on Work-from-Home Scams
- Is Private Browsing Really Private?
- Different Types of Felony Classes & Charges
- What is Juice Jacking?
- What are Romance Scams?
- Traffic Offenses and Violations
- What is Doxing and How to Prevent it?
- What are Spam Text Messages
- The U.S. Death Penalty: History and Modern Usage
- What Are the Different Types of Bankruptcies and Which One Is Right for You?
- Common eBay Scams to be Aware of
- What Happens When You are Booked in Jail?
- What Information Can You Get From A License Plate
- Different Types of Assets
- How to Search and Find Family Members and Relatives Who Are Long Lost?
- Car History Guide, Benefits, Importance
- Am I Dating a Stalker?
- How to Find out if Your Partner is Cheating
- What Are the Types and Tools of Packet Sniffing Attacks?
- Intellectual Property Law and Rights
- Cyberstalking And Its Dangers
- A Guide to Phishing Scams
- What is Organized Crime?
- I’ve Lost My Driver’s License: What Should I Do?
- Misdemeanor Charges: Types, Classes, and Penalties
- A Complete Guide On Catfishing
- Vanity Phone Numbers: Why They Are Important and How to Get One
- What Happens When You Get Arrested
- Guide to Find Information About a Person Online
- How To Find And Claim Unclaimed Money
- What Happens if You Violate Probation
- Guide on How to Remove a Mugshot from the Internet
- How to Stay Safe on Public WiFi
- What Is an Outstanding Warrant and How Can You Check if You Have One?
- Different Types of Car Insurance
- What Is Cyptojacking?
- What Is Email Security?
- What Is the Deep Web and What Can Be Found There?
- What Happens When You Declare Bankruptcy
- How Divorce Settlements are Calculated
- What are Common Methods of Social Engineering
- What is the Difference Between a General Lien and a Specific Lien?
- How to Detect Odometer Rollback
- Different Types of Probation
- Finding forgotten life insurance policies
- What is Bearer Bond and Why the US Banned it
- Everything you need to know about small claims court
- Moral Turpitude: Definition, Examples, and Much More!
- Misdemeanor vs Felony
- How to Read a VIN Number and What It Tells You
- How to Find Out Who Hacked Your Cell Phone
- How Long Does a Misdemeanor Stay On Your Criminal Record?
- The Paypal Phishing Scam You Should Care to Avoid
- How Many Different Types of State License Plates Are There and Which Is the Standard One?
- Effects of Cyberbullying: Complete Guide for Parents
- What is the DPPA?
- Is Petty Theft a Misdemeanor and What Are the Consequences?
- What is a Life Sentence? Life in Prison
- Find out How to Check if Someone Has a Warrant Online for Free
- Is a Marriage Certificate the Same as a Marriage License and What Are the Differences?
- The Ten Most Popular Celebrity Mugshots
- How to Find Out if Someone is Married?
- How to Stop Phone Number Spoofing?
- How To Avoid Probate
- Dealing with abandoned vehicles in your neighborhood
- How to Find Someone's Cell Phone Number by Their Name
- Who Are the Worst Drivers in America?
- How To Find Unclaimed Money From Deceased Relatives
- What is a Digital License Plate?
- How to Find out if Someone Died?
- Murder vs Manslaughter: The Differences and Definitions
- How to Hire a Private Investigator?
- What Is a Number Neighbor?
- How to Find Out if Someone was Arrested
- How to Find Someone's Birthday?
- What is a Car Title
- How to Obtain a Police Report and Court Records?
- What is the Punishment for Filing a False Police Report?
- Prison Valley: Look inside Prison Town
- How to Get Custody of a Child Without Going to Court?
- How to Find Someone’s Social Media Profiles?
- What to Do if Your Phone Is Tapped?
- What Is a Deed in Real Estate?
- Where Was The First US Federal Penitentiary Established?
- Can You Track Someone's Location with Just a Phone Number?
- What Is a Restricted Phone Call and How to Block The Number?
- Who is the Most Dangerous Prisoner in the World?
- Poshmark Scams: How to Prevent and Report Them
- What to Do When Someone Is Missing: Practical Steps on How to Find a Missing Person
- How to Send Money to an Inmate in a Prison or Jail
- DUI vs DWI: The Difference Between DUI and DWI
- How Long After Buying a Car Do You Need to Register it?
- How to Find Someone's Address?
- What is an Ignition Interlock Device?
- What Is Situational Crime Prevention?
- How Can I Find Out Who Called Me for Free?
- Gun Free Zone Statistics and Facts
- Online Threats and Digital Security: Trends, Types and Most Common Examples
- Cold Cases: Best Practices For Police Officers and Investigators
- Court Order: Definition, Types and Examples
- What Does a Fingerprint Background Report Show?
- How to Check Your Criminal Record?
- What is Tort Law?
- How to Calculate Child Support
- Property Rights: Definition, and Characteristics
- 12 Common Reasons for Public Records Request
- What is Antitrust Law?
- Virginia Gun Confiscation Law
- Ways to Know Who Owns a House
- Neighborhood Watch Program
- How to Perform a Mugshot Search?
- Crime Mapping
- Safest Colleges in Florida
- Veterans Guide to Cars and Driving
- U.S. Correctional System: Structure, Incarceration and Facts
- License Plate Laws in the US
- How to Find Out If Someone Is in Jail?
- Email Hacking: Laws, Penalties and Protection
- Romeo and Juliet Laws
- Holiday Safety for Home and Family
- Differences between Criminal and Arrest Records
- Public Records and Property History: What is Public Information and What Isn’t
- How to Look up Immigration Inmates?
- Famous Prisons in the USA
- How to Find the Registered Owner of the Vehicle for Free?
- How to Search for Your Family Tree?
- The Federal Judicial Center
- Mass Incarceration in the USA
- What is COPPA (Children's Online Privacy Protection Act)?
- Data Safety After The Capital One Breach
- Scholarships Guide for Students
- Complete Guide to Student Safety
- What Is a Vehicle Identification Number?
- Determining Divorce: 5 Types of Divorce You Must Know
- Sex Offenders: Complete Guide to be Protected
- New Privacy Laws and Public Records
- Motor Vehicle Registration in the US
- Digital Token Age: Security Laws and Regulations
- Facial Recognition Technology and Legal Restrictions
- What Shows up in a Background Report
- What is Repossession of a Car?
- Protecting Yourself from Phone Scams
- Human Rights in the Prison
- What are Business Competition Laws?
- What is a Hate Crime?
- Starting a Business and Business Licenses
- General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Guidance
- Criminal Justice Reform
- Tax Reform Impact and Changes To Know
- Self-Driving Cars: Laws and Regulations
- White-Collar Crime: Statistics and Facts
- Have You Been Arrested? Cases You'll Need a Lawyer
- How to Get a Driver's License in the US
- Car Theft in the US: Statistics and Facts
- Identity Theft Passport Program
- Changing your Name after Marriage: What You Need to Know
- Finding the Perfect Roommate: Dos and Donts
- What to Do in a Car Accident?
- Property Crimes: How to Burglar Proof Your Home
- Consumer Laws in the US: What Do They Mean for a Customer and a Business Owner
- Child Trafficking: The Scope, Understanding, and Prevention
- Business Assets: A Guide to the Financial Health of your Business
- Guide To The College Application: How, When and Where to Apply
- Which States Have “Stand Your Ground” Laws?
- Adolescent Depression Symptoms and Causes
- Things to Know About the U.S. State Department Travel Advisory System
- Inheritance in the US: With & Without a Will
- Online Dating Safety Guide for Men and Women
- Sexual Abuse in the U.S.: Laws and Statistics
- Supporting Children After Divorce: Child Custody Options
- Halloween Horrors Come to Life: Holidays Crimes in the U.S.
- Charity Scams in the U.S.: Be Aware and Protected
- Webcam Hacking & Spying in the US
- Freedom of Religion in the U.S.
- Senior Financial Scams: How are the Elderly Targeted and How to Avoid It
- Catcalling: Is it illegal? How to Deal With It
- A Complete Guide To Insurance Fraud: Common Types and Prevention
- Sextortion: What to Do if You Became a Victim of Blackmailing
- Concealed Carry: How to Protect Yourself on Campus
- Debt Collection Laws | Fair Debt Collection Act: What You Need To Know
- How Much Is My House Worth? Ultimate Guide to Home Buying and Selling
- Traits of Sociopaths, Are They Dangerous and How to Deal With Them?
- Who Are Your Neighbors and How to Find Out About Them
- Learn How to Find Your Birth Parents
- The Importance of Public Records in Law
- What's The Difference Between a Jail And a Prison?
- Homeowner's Insurance Coverage & Common Claims
- The Disturbing Facts of Gun Violence in America
- How to Use Public Records in Marketing
- Best & Worst Cities for Driving
- LGBT Bullying
- A Parent's Guide to Keeping Your Child Drug-Free
- What You Need to Know When Buying or Selling a Used Car
- Guide to Filing for Bankruptcy
- Making Your DMV Experience Fast And Easy
- How to Appeal the Court's Decision
- How to Fight a Traffic Ticket?
- How to Prepare For an Active Shooter Incident
- How to Protect Yourself Against Cyber Attacks
- How to Report a Crime?
- Keeping Your Neighborhood Safe For Your Family
- School Safety and Security Standards
- 50 Things to Know When Filing for Divorce
- Tips for Back-to-School Safety and Security
- A User's Guide to Warrants
- What to Do When You Are Stopped By the Police
Noise Ordinances: Quiet Hours, Complaint Laws, and How to File a Noise Complaint
Noise isn’t just a nuisance; it is a legitimate health hazard. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, loud noises can cause hearing loss. Studies have even shown that ongoing nuisance noises can cause sleep deprivation, depression, anxiety, and stress.
Nuisance noises can even affect one’s ability to learn or concentrate. Some of the most problematic nuisance noises reported across the country are noises caused by neighbors, which is why many jurisdictions, from small towns to large communities, have noise ordinance laws on the books. Often, these laws have “noise ordinance hours” or “quiet hours” in effect during certain times of the day and night to maintain peace and relative quiet in residential areas.
In this article, we’ll explain exactly what a noise ordinance is, how different jurisdictions handle noise, and provide step-by-step guidance on filing a noise complaint.
What Is a Noise Ordinance?
A noise ordinance is a local or municipal law regulating the type and level of sound emitted in a certain area at a specific time. When a noise ordinance exists in a community, an individual hosting a backyard event or a building doing residential construction work outside of permitted times may be violating the noise ordinance. Often, noise ordinance penalties may include fines or injunctions to halt the activity violating noise ordinance hours.
What Is the Noise Ordinance in Your Area?
Noise ordinances vary from town to town, city to city, and even state to state. Typically, a state statute allows local jurisdictions to create noise ordinances as they see fit.
In New York State, for example, municipalities are permitted to pass ordinances that prevent “unreasonably loud or disturbing noises” that may be detrimental to the common good. In Maryland, an environmental law gives subdivisions the right to adopt and enforce noise ordinance hours and sound level limits.
Since noise ordinance hours, the handling of noise complaints, and other specifics vary greatly between jurisdictions, take the time to research your municipality's noise ordinance by accessing the local laws of your community. These laws are in the public domain for everyone to access. They can be found online, in your local library, or by calling your city’s attorney, mayor’s office, or some other city manager.
What Are Noise Ordinance Hours
Noise ordinance hours are the hours a local noise ordinance designates as "quiet hours." A municipality may, for example, establish the hours of 10 PM to 7 AM as quiet hours within its jurisdiction on weekdays. Those hours are often extended on weekends to 8 AM or 9 AM. During those “quiet hours,” the local ordinance may, for example, prohibit the use of power mowers.
In some jurisdictions, universal nuisance noises are restricted or banned outright. For example, most major cities have a law prohibiting hoking a car horn unless there is a clear and present danger. Other nuisance noises that are commonly regulated include barking dogs, gas-powered landscaping equipment, and motorcycle noise.
Often, a municipality prohibits sustained noises exceeding certain decibel levels, regardless of the source. Decibel limits are normally set based on area zoning and the time of day. Based on a noise complaint, law enforcement officials use equipment to monitor decibel levels to determine whether someone is in violation.
What Are Quiet Hours in Residential Areas?
Quiet hours in residential areas are times of the day when noise is restricted, allowing residents to enjoy peaceful mornings and evenings and sleep comfortably.
Although they vary greatly by jurisdiction, quiet hours in residential neighborhoods usually start around 10 PM and remain effective until 7 AM on weekdays. On weekends, those hours may be extended by one to two hours. Most municipalities limit noise levels to 55 or 60 decibels during quiet hours, roughly the equivalent of the noise made by a running vacuum cleaner.
Some municipalities will even regulate the types of noises made during quiet hours in residential areas. In New York City, for example, pets are not permitted to make noise for more than five minutes at a time during quiet hours.
Noise Complaint Laws and Regulations
Whether you are being tortured by a neighbor playing the drums throughout the night and every day, haunted by a chained-up dog that just won’t stop barking, or being forced to listen to loud music at a block party that has run into the wee hours of the morning, the good news is that most communities have a noise ordinance on the books prohibiting noise that excessive, unreasonable, or unnecessary.
Excessive noise not only disrupts daily life but can also cause serious health issues, such as hearing loss, according to health authorities. Studies have shown that ongoing exposure to nuisance noises can lead to sleep deprivation, depression, anxiety, and stress.
If you don’t know the specifics of the local noise ordinance in your community, research quiet hours in your area, and if you believe that the noise you are being subjected to violates the local noise ordinance, the next move is to file a complaint.
What Are the Laws for Filing a Noise Complaint?
A local noise ordinance usually offers a blueprint for filing a noise complaint in your municipality. Some jurisdictions have an online form that can be filled out, and an ordinance official will follow up on the complaint with an investigation and take whatever action is necessary against the offender. This is the best action when addressing persistent noises, such as a barking dog or a neighbor who plays the drums.
On the other hand, some noises demand immediate attention and often occur after hours, when most code enforcement offices are closed. In these situations, such as a loud party, it is best to call the local police. Again, most local noise ordinances have specific laws for how to file a noise complaint.
When Can You File a Noise Complaint?
When to file your noise complaint usually depends on the applicable noise ordinance in your area. Your local government website or public library will have specific information regarding decibel levels in your area, restricted or regulated noises, and quiet hours.
How to File a Noise Complaint?
Most municipalities have published information online outlining how to file a noise complaint, and although every jurisdiction throughout the United States is different, there are some common steps you can take to file a noise complaint in your area,
Steps to File a Noise Complaint
Here are the steps you can take to file a noise complaint:
- Find the Source: The most important step in filing a noise complaint is identifying the source and cause of the nuisance noise. Whether it is a loud backyard BBQ at a nearby rental property, a neighbor’s disruptive music, or incessant barking from a dog living in your condo complex, identifying the noise and its source is crucial to the success of your noise complaint.
- Document the Noise: Whenever someone experiences noise disturbance, they should document each instance, noting the date, time, and duration, as well as a detailed description of the noise. When possible, those experiencing a noise disturbance should try to record the noise.
- Research Your Local Noise Ordinance: Noise ordinances vary based on jurisdiction, but most laws specify what noise and levels are acceptable at certain times. Know and cite the local law being violated to strengthen your noise complaint.
- Address the Issue Informally: It is common for neighbors to be unaware that they are disturbing others. A polite conversation can sometimes resolve a situation before a noise complaint is filed. If the property is rented, check the lease agreement for noise and noise control clauses.
- File a Noise Complaint: Formally filing a noise complaint can involve sending a letter or filling out a form detailing the complaint. Try to include as much information as possible, such as the type of noise and the time of day it occurred. These documents are submitted to your local code enforcement agency, property management company, or other entity charged with enforcing noise ordinances in your area. Sometimes, a formal noise complaint can be filed online and, in some cases, anonymously.
- Contact the Police: In situations where formal complaints have been filed or if the noise is dangerously loud, like that of a party, contact the local police. If your local law enforcement agency has a non-emergency phone number, that is the best way to contact them regarding a noise complaint unless it is a possible emergency, in which case it is appropriate to dial 911.
How to Report a Noise Complaint Online
You can report a noise complaint online by visiting your local government's official website. While most of these websites will vary among municipalities, they will likely have a “file a complaint” or similarly titled section in a prominent location. Typically, it is associated with local code enforcement, public safety, or police departments.
Once you can access the online form, fill out all required fields and provide details of the complaint, such as time, location, and type of noise. Call your local municipal or city government office for assistance if you cannot find the appropriate online form or if one is not provided. Some cities even have dedicated apps and hotline numbers to report quality-of-life complaints.
A noise ordinance is critical to maintaining peace and quiet throughout communities, particularly in residential areas during designated quiet hours. While these laws will vary depending on where you live, most communities have designated noise ordinance hours restricting nuisance noises during specific times.
Noise ordinance violations can lead to fines and, in some cases, legal action, so everyone must understand their local noise ordinance. Filing a noise ordinance complaint is the best course of action for anyone affected by excessive or disruptive noise.
FAQ
Can I Make a Noise Complaint During the Day?
Yes, you can make a noise complaint during the day. In most jurisdictions, noise complaints are easy to file and can be filed anytime, day or night.
How Late Can You Play Music in a Residential Area?
How late you can play music in residential areas will depend on your local noise ordinance hours. Most municipalities have quiet hours, prohibiting loud noises after 10 PM and until 7 AM on weekdays.
Can You Call the Cops for a Noise Complaint in an Apartment?
Yes, you can call the cops for a noise complaint in an apartment, but, as a rule, involving the police in a noise complaint should be a last resort unless there is an actual emergency. Instead, contact your building manager or send a formal complaint letter to your landlord.
Can Neighbors Complain About Noise During the Day?
In most jurisdictions and settings, a noise ordinance prohibits excessive noise between 10 PM and 7 AM on weekdays with extended weekend hours. During the day, residents have a right to quiet, so excessive noise that might be audible through walls can violate local laws or community rules.