What Can You Legally Do About a Neighbor's Noise?
By Christie Nicholson, J.D. | Legally reviewed by Laura Temme, Esq. | Last reviewed June 02, 2025
This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw’s team of legal writers and attorneys and in accordance with our editorial standards.
The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area.
If your neighbor's noise is unbearable and violates local noise ordinances, you have several legal options. Start with a direct conversation, which might resolve the issue amicably. If unsuccessful, consider mediation or inform them of the local noise laws in writing. As a last resort, contacting the police or filing a lawsuit in small claims court are options. In court, you can seek monetary damages or an injunction to stop the noise. Ensure you have evidence such as recordings, witness statements, or police reports to support your case.
Some people are lucky and have neighbors who become their best friends. For everyone else, there’s bound to be a time when a neighbor gets on their last nerve with loud parties or a dog that barks nonstop.
If the noise isn’t too bad, stock up on earplugs and pray that you can get a good night’s sleep. In some cases, however, the noise is unbearable, and you have no choice but to take action.
The good news is that taking action doesn’t necessarily mean you have to take legal action. While this may be the only option for some people, there’s a good chance that a simple conversation can resolve your issues.
Here, we’ll discuss what you can do about noisy neighbors, including practical solutions that don’t involve the local police or an attorney. We will also explain what to do if legal action is your only recourse.
If your neighbor is drastically interfering with your property rights or harassing you, it might be time to contact a local real estate lawyer. They can explain your options and help you decide what to do next.
Common Complaints About Noisy Next-Door Neighbors
If it feels like you’re constantly asking your upstairs neighbors to turn down the music, you’re not alone. Most of us have had to tolerate our neighbor’s noise at some point. Whether you live in an apartment building or condominium, you’re bound to encounter noise issues.
The same is true for people living in a single-family home. Just because you don’t live adjacent to your neighbors doesn’t mean you don’t have to contend with loud noises, loud music, and barking dogs.
Some of the types of noises residents complain about include:
- Loud cars, motorcycles, and ATVs
- Dogs that bark constantly
- Late-night parties
- Loud music or blaring TVs
- Stomping and banging
- Screaming, yelling, and fighting
People have to be reasonable when it comes to addressing the above noise problems. For example, if someone in your apartment complex is having a family reunion, you should expect some noise and revelry.
Sometimes, people are so noisy that it isn’t fair to expect their neighbors to just grin and bear it. These are the situations we refer to in this article. You should not have to install soundproofing because your next-door neighbor has weekly parties until 3 a.m.
Neighbor Noise and the Law
Every community has laws and ordinances prohibiting excessive, unnecessary, and unreasonable noise levels. Most noise ordinances specify certain times of the day when it’s okay to make a reasonable amount of noise. These local laws also dictate when residents must maintain “quiet hours." These times vary depending on the day of the week and perhaps the time of year.
If someone fails to comply with the local laws regarding noise, you can report them to the police department or your town’s code enforcement office. They can issue a citation to the noisy neighbor and inform them that future infractions will result in fines and other actions.
Many towns also have ordinances that prohibit noise levels above a certain decibel level. For example, according to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), the average acceptable noise level is around 60 decibels. Anything higher than 85 decibels can cause hearing loss.
While it’s unlikely that your neighbor’s noisy habits will cause physical harm, it is possible. This is why you must find a way to address the problem as soon as possible.
Renters, HOAs, and Loud Neighbors
If you live in a condominium or apartment complex, you can report loud neighbors to the property manager, landlord, or homeowners’ association (HOA). If the neighbor’s behavior is egregious enough, they may face eviction. Of course, this is a last resort. A person would have to violate the local noise ordinances severely and often to reach this point.
If you are a renter, there’s a good chance your lease agreement entitles you to “quiet enjoyment” of the premises. Noise disturbances interfere with that “quiet enjoyment."
Practical Solutions for Dealing with Your Neighbor’s Excessive Noise
It’s perfectly understandable to want to call the police on your neighbor if they’re making too much noise. However, you may live next to these people for years or even decades. You should try to resolve things amicably if at all possible.
Below are suggestions for addressing the problem, from talking to filing a lawsuit.
- Talk to them in person: Rather than having a shouting match across the fence, ring their doorbell and ask to have a conversation about the noise. Things may go better than you expect.
- Give a warning: If a pleasant conversation doesn’t work, you can send your neighbor a copy of the local noise ordinances, highlighting the relevant parts about noise complaints. You can also send them a copy of your housing complex’s agreement with the applicable portions highlighted.
- Mediation: This may be your last option before calling the local police. A mediator will invite you and your neighbor to sit down together and try to solve the noise problem.
- Call the cops: If none of the above solutions work, you should call the police. Explain that you have attempted to resolve the noise problem, but your neighbor continues violating the noise ordinances. Make sure you call the police while your neighbor is violating the noise ordinance. Or provide the police officer with the period during which the noise persists.
Worst Case, You Can File a Lawsuit Against Your Neighbor
If all else fails, you can sue your neighbor in small claims court. You can seek two remedies in your lawsuit. You can demand monetary damages or ask the court to issue an injunction if you just want the behavior to stop.
To win your case, you must prove that your neighbor is causing excessive and disturbing noise and interfering with your home's quiet enjoyment. You must submit evidence of these two things.
The following qualifies as evidence of your noise complaint:
- Copies of letters, texts, or emails asking your neighbor to quiet down
- Copies of police reports
- Witness statements
- Recordings of the noise
- Your testimony
Most states limit small claims judgments to anywhere from $2,500 to $7,500. Generally, you can demand compensation of $20 to $30 daily for the noise. If the noise impacted your job performance, you could demand more.
It's easy to navigate most small claims courts because the county designs them for citizens, not attorneys. This does not mean you shouldn’t consult an attorney. If you aren’t comfortable handling things independently, there’s nothing wrong with hiring a lawyer to do it for you.
An Attorney Can Help with a Neighbor Dispute
Neighbor disputes should be handled delicately. Familiarize yourself with local laws and ordinances so you understand your rights. If you feel overwhelmed, contact a skilled, local real estate attorney. They'll be well-versed in the laws of your state and can help evaluate your options.
Can I Solve This on My Own or Do I Need an Attorney?
- Many real estate processes can be handled on your own or with the help of a realtor
- Some tenant or neighbor disputes may need the help of local police
- Complex real estate issues (such as construction defects or illegal landlord actions) may need the support of an attorney
Buying or selling a home, facing foreclosure, or mortgage loan issues can benefit from legal expertise. An attorney can offer tailored advice and help prevent common mistakes.
Stay up-to-date with how the law affects your life

Learn more about FindLaw’s newsletters, including our terms of use and privacy policy.