22 replies to this topic

[RustyShackleford]

My neighbor left an impressively passive aggressive note on my doorstep about our band practice.
My initial reaction was to ignore it completely, since I assumed that making an ungodly racket was the main benefit of home ownership.

Then I read this on Maricopa.gov

"At and above certain levels, noise is detrimental to the health and welfare of Maricopa County citizens. Therefore, Maricopa County has determined that it is in the best interest of its citizens to control noise in a manner which promotes commerce;"

Something about that second sentence makes my heart sink, since promoting commerce is not high on my list of goals.

Have any of you been in this situation before? Did you ignore them? Did the cops come?

[John MFer]

Have you made any effort to soundproof?

[skeksis]

Basically, if you're bugging your neighbors w/ noise, you're breaking the law. It doesn't matter how or when.

Specifics in the noice ordinance point to parties, construction, and a few other things I can't remember right now...

But you're gonna get cited unless you make peace w/ your neighbor. Cops will come, in fact this kind of easy bullshit is their bread & butter.

I advise you make some concessions about time, say that you'll work on soundproofing your practice room. Talk to them, figure out what you can do to compromise. 'Cause they're right (insofar as the law is concerned).

*this is from a guy who routinely makes an ungodly racket in his house. I'm lucky, my neighbors are cool. Also, I try to show them a little respect, it goes a long way.

[RustyShackleford]

Thanks,

On timing, I think we've been pretty reasonable. We don't practice more than twice a week and are always done by 8:00.

I've thought about soundproofing, but from what I've read the only effective measures are pretty costly. Which If I had the money, we probably wouldn't be practicing in my living room to begin with.

Does hanging egg crates and foam actually do anything? Are there any other cheap solutions?

[jeremx]

Does hanging egg crates and foam actually do anything? Are there any other cheap solutions?

mattresses against the walls.

[skeksis]

your timing might actually be the problem... loud-ass band practice when my wife wants to watch prime-time tv is every bit as much of a problem as later hours. maybe worse.

we pissed off a neighbor once on sunday afternoon, because we were loud during the football game.

realistically, though, turn the amps down. get your drummer to use hot rods. foam on windows & doors.

[bob]

if you're unable to go talk to them in person to work something out, you're probably needing to find somewhere else to make loud noises.

[fatguyaz]

i second the communication angle. That solves a LOT of problems.

[Tony]

word. home ownership does NOT mean you can make as much noise as you want. it just means you can do whatever you want to your house in an effort to soundproof it.

[RustyShackleford]

I did speak with the neighbor before we started practicing a little under a year ago and she was agreeable in a lukewarmy kind of way. I think she's just had enough at this point. btw I'm empathetic to this. I just don't have a lot of other options.

I hadn't really thought about the timing actually being more of an issue than the volume.

I'm planning on chatting with her this afternoon, but I'm thinking it's time to find a new practice spot unless I start construction on my mattress wall.

[JRC]

About that noise ordinance.
There was a dustup about this in the news a couple years ago, basically ANY time a neighbor complains you can be ticketed.
Band practice.
Louad party.
TV too loud.
Nosiy sex.
Crying baby.

pretty fucked up.

[Quezo]

I want to get a ticket for noisy sex.

I would frame it and put it on the wall.

Also, I wouldn't pay it.

[Tony]

Crying baby.

really?

i guess i'd be okay with somebody calling the cops because they thought a baby was crying so much because they were being abused or something, but if the baby was just crying too loud? if i was a cop i'd punch that person in the face, because then i'm out ticketing babies instead of doing my real job: arresting mexicans.

[RustyShackleford]

Crying baby.

really?

i guess i'd be okay with somebody calling the cops because they thought a baby was crying so much because they were being abused or something, but if the baby was just crying too loud? if i was a cop i'd punch that person in the face, because then i'm out ticketing babies instead of doing my real job: arresting mexicans.

What if the baby was mexican? A good officer always checks papers, baby or not.

[Tony]

Crying baby.

really?

i guess i'd be okay with somebody calling the cops because they thought a baby was crying so much because they were being abused or something, but if the baby was just crying too loud? if i was a cop i'd punch that person in the face, because then i'm out ticketing babies instead of doing my real job: arresting mexicans.

What if the baby was mexican? A good officer always checks papers, baby or not.

it's safe to assume the baby is mexican. white babies don't cry.