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Are your neighbors too noisy? Here’s what you can do about it in North Jersey

Posted on by darion

Living in the North Jersey suburbs can offer space, tranquility and community. However, the ideal suburban experience is likely to require some cooperation from the neighbors. Whether it’s loud parties, blaring engines or other disturbances, noise can significantly affect the quality of life in any environment.

In New Jersey, noise is governed by the Noise Control Act of 1971, which authorizes the state Department of Environmental Protection to establish codes, rules and regulations for noise control and abatement.

Since 1974, the DEP has had standing rules to control noise from stationary commercial and industrial sources. These regulations set sound level standards at 50 decibels from 10 pm to 7 am and 65 decibels the rest of the day.

The DEP also created a model noise ordinance that local municipalities can adopt to implement even stricter noise control municipalities. If approved by the DEP, these ordinances can set measurable standards that certified noise investigators can enforce using calibrated sound meters, often at or near the property line.

Noisy neighbors are sometimes a problem in the suburbs.Noisy neighbors are sometimes a problem in the suburbs.

Noisy neighbors are sometimes a problem in the suburbs.

Many towns in North Jersey also have blanket regulations against noise deemed loud, offensive, unnecessary or unusual, from injurious to annoying. They can also have specific rules regulating the use of certain devices, including whistles, drums, radios, lawn care equipment, construction equipment and televisions, as well as animals and people.

Hawthorne, for example, prohibits “yelling, shouting, hooting, whistling or singing on the public streets, particularly between the hours of 11 pm and 7 am or at any time or place so as to annoy or disturb the quiet, comfort or repose of persons in any office, dwelling, hotel, motel or other type of residence or of any persons in the vicinity.”

Noisily neighbors figured as a clock face bothering a bugged man at center, who is covering his ears because of the noise around the clock. Vector illustration on white background.Noisily neighbors figured as a clock face bothering a bugged man at center, who is covering his ears because of the noise around the clock. Vector illustration on white background.

Noisily neighbors figured as a clock face bothering a bugged man at center, who is covering his ears because of the noise around the clock. Vector illustration on white background.

Montclair has an all-out ban on gas-powered leaf blowers, and Ridgewood prohibits chicken coops within 50 feet of a neighbor’s home.

How to deal with loud neighbors in North Jersey

Familiarize yourself with your municipality’s noise ordinanceif one exists. This will give you an understanding of the specific noise limits and the times they are enforced.

Keep a log of the noise disturbances, with the time, date and nature of the noise. If possible, record the noise to provide indisputable evidence.

Talk to your neighbor. A polite conversation could resolve the issue. Your neighbor may not be aware that they are being disruptive.

If the noise persists, file a complaint with local authorities. This could be the local health agency, under the Health and Vital Statistics statute, or the local police, as a disorderly persons offense under the Code of Criminal Justice.

Some municipalities offer mediation services to resolve disputes between neighbors.

In extreme cases, you may need to seek legal advice or take civil action against the neighbor.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: How to deal with loud neighbors in North Jersey