I live in an older neighborhood where the backyards are really close together—about 5 feet from my house. Since most of us don't have air-conditioning, I keep my windows open a lot. My neighbors like to hold parties that start in the early afternoon and can go well past 10 PM, and their backyard aligns with my bedrooms. Unfortunately, the noise gets really loud; I can measure about 70 decibels in my room, even with everything closed. I've tried talking to them about it, pointing out how it affects my sleep and relaxation. Just recently, I was listening to music while cleaning my shed, and they blasted their music so loud, it completely drowned mine out. I'm looking for suggestions on how I can soundproof—or at least dampen—the sound coming through my 6-foot wooden fence. I've done what I can inside the house, but I really need some help with this!
1 Answer
If you've already had conversations with your neighbors and they aren’t budging, it might be time to involve your local authorities or a noise complaint hotline. Check the noise ordinances in your area so you can provide specific details when reporting them.
Before you do that, definitely familiarize yourself with the local noise rules first so you can make a solid complaint.
Also, I wonder why some folks get so annoyed by their neighbors having fun? It's like everyone expects total silence, but it's natural for people to enjoy their lives too. There are certainly cases where noise crosses the line, but some complaints seem over the top.