Any advise for new neighbor that plays the drums! Loudly! At night!

[Maraya1969]

I have already gone over there and banged on their garage door because no one answered the front door - I'm sure they didn't hear it.

So the guy was all apologetic and then it stopped.

But now, for the last 2 days he is at it again. I hear the low base drum beat and it makes me fucking nervous.

Should I ask around with my neighbors to see if they are unhappy about it? I do not want to make an enemy.

I also recorded them the last time just standing right outside my door. I think they would be shocked to hear how loud it was. But maybe not.

I've even been looking up ways they can dampen drums so they are not so loud.

[debm55]

1. Maybe put soundproofing in the garage? Put foam on the walls to absorb the sound. Even boxes will

Last edited Wed Nov 2, 2022, 10:52 PM - Edit history (1)

absorb the sound. When we got new carpets and moved everything out of the room, there was an echo effect. Just thinking. We have a noise law that says not before 9 AM or after 10 PM. In my experience, the police look at it as no big deal if done before or after those hours. They ignored me when I called and said my neighbor was cutting his grass at 10 PM.. yep in the dark. I now use one of white sound machines as his pit of yard is filled with machines from his Construction business that he uses at home. Good luck.

[questionseverything]

2. Does your community have a noise ordinance?

[Trailrider1951]

3. Does your town have a noise nuisance ordinance? One that prohibits loud noise after

10 or 11 pm? If not, why not talk to your neighbor about limiting his drumming to before 10 pm?

[FloridaBlues]

4. You can call the police for disturbing noise late at night

Do you live in an area with noise ordinance? That happened to me for weeks finally they stopped after law kept coming at the house.
Good luck.

[LakeArenal]

5. There must be decibel level limitations of some sort.

Most are lower than you think.

Talk to neighbors. If it’s a neighborhood problem you or all of you can file a civil suit.

[vlyons]

6. Is there a noise abatement law in your town/city?

Most towns have a noise abatement misdemeanor law that can cause a hefty fine of several hundred dollars. Pick up the phone and call the police to find out if there is a noise abatement law where you live. Usually loud noise is not allowed between about 7pm and 7am the next morning, although these times vary depending on the town. Once you know the law, you can simply call the police and not have to deal with your neighbor yourself.

[blm]

7. Suggest he line the garage with carpet.

He can pick up large used rolls at Habitat for Humanity or Craigslist.

[ZZenith]

8. He'll need to soundproof his garage.

Which can rarely be done without MAJOR expense.

One of the difficulties of being a drummer is finding a place to practice without making mortal enemies. So far your neighbor is failing that. Stand firm. Be polite, but firm: you will not accept the volume level emanating from his garage and you have recourse.

The noise ordinance for our town:


5.220 Noise.
(1) Definitions.

(a) Church. As defined in the Springfield Development Code.

(b) Dwelling. As defined in the Springfield Development Code.

(c) Emergency Vehicle. As defined in ORS 801.260.

(d) Plainly Audible. A sound that the listener can clearly hear with unaided hearing faculties. Sounds which may be plainly audible include, but are not limited to, musical rhythms, engine noises, spoken words or phrases even though not clearly discernable, or other vocal sounds.

(e) Public Utility. As defined in SMC section 4.600.

(f) Repair Garage. As defined in the Springfield Development Code.

(2) No person shall create, assist in creating, permit, continue, or permit the continuance of any noise that is unreasonable in its volume or duration.

(3) The following acts are declared to be per se violations of this section, but such enumerations shall not be deemed to be exclusive:

(a) Keeping an animal that unreasonably causes a continuous annoyance, alarm, or disturbance for more than 15 minutes at any time of day or night, which can be heard beyond the border of the owner’s property.

(b) Using any automobile, motorcycle, or other vehicle; any engine, stationary or moving; instrument, device or thing, so out of repair, so loaded, or operated in such manner as to create loud or unnecessary grating, grinding, rattling, or other noises.

(c) Using, between 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., any mechanical device operated by compressed air, steam, or otherwise, unless the noise created is effectively muffled.

(d) Erecting, including excavating, demolishing, altering, or repairing, any building between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.

(e) Operating any gasoline engine without a muffler.

(f) Using or operating any automatic or electric piano, phonograph, radio, loudspeaker, stereo, or sound-amplifying device, in a manner that the sound produced thereby is plainly audible:

(i) Within any dwelling, church, business, day care center or school, other than the source of the sound; or

(ii) On public property or a public right-of-way 150 feet or more from such device, except as specifically authorized in writing from the government that owns or controls such property.

(g) Operating any repair garage within 100 feet of any dwelling or hotel in such a manner as to cause loud or offensive noises to be emitted between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.

(4) Notwithstanding subsections (2) and (3), the following sounds are permitted:

(a) Sounds made by any mechanical device operated by compressed air, steam, or otherwise in the industrial zones of the city.

(b) Sounds that are subject to a special noise permit granted by the city manager or designee. Special noise permits are not intended to be issued for private events.

(c) Sounds made by work necessary to restore property to a safe condition following a natural or other disaster, or to protect persons or property from exposure to imminent danger….



….(5) The offenses specified in subsections (2) and (3) are punishable as a violation and may include a fine not exceeding $720.00 pursuant to SMC section

(7) The city manager or designee may revoke a special noise permit at any time after it has been issued.

(8) Applicants whose special noise permit application has been denied or revoked prior to the date of the event may appeal the decision to the city council by filing a written notice of appeal. The city council shall set a hearing date within 15 days of receiving the appeal request. At the hearing, applicants may be heard and present evidence on their behalf. The city council shall determine whether the denial or revocation of the permit shall be upheld. [Section 5.220 amended by Ordinance No. 6169, enacted May 15, 2006; further amended by Ordinance No. 6402, enacted June 3, 2019; further amended by Ordinance No. 6425, enacted June 28, 2021.]

[MiniMe]

9. There are many veterans who can't deal with loud sounds like drums or fireworks

It sets off their PTSD. I know people like that.

[Abolishinist]

10. If he lives next door to you,

and if you don't have them already, buy a pair of cheap, very large, bass speakers, along with an amp and microphone. Set up the mic to record his drumming, which will then feed into the speakers.

Add some distortion, aim it toward his abode, and when he starts up again, leave for a 2-hour movie.

[Skittles]

13. I say aim it at him when you know HE is sleeping

play it back........

[Grins]

11. Sure! Former drummer here...

1.
Have better neighbors. I knew not to do that, he should, too.
2.
Tell him about me!
Trying to get proficient with all the rudiments of drumming.
Use a drum?
Sure, but it’s noisy. Easier, too. Let’s you get away with things.

So, to make it harder, make my hands get the memory of the rudiments so it just happened naturally, I practiced - in a pillow.
It wasn’t as easy but did I get dexterity!!

Not a long-term solution, but maybe #1 will kick in.

PS: I also used rubber practice pads. A LOT of drummers did for practice. They are much quieter and feel like the real thing.

[Enter stage left]

12. Is there anybody you know that plays the bagpipes? Loud, really loud...

especially if they need to be tuned up.

Bye the way, how do you know when a bagpipe needs tuning up?

[intrepidity]

14. Hah, you just reminded me of something

from way back, like the late 60s/early 70s, there was a neighborhood fella that would walk around playing bagpipes like once a week.

Was this the Scottish highlands, you ask? No. Smack dab in a Los Angeles suburb.

Hadn't thought of that guy for decades.

[Auggie]

15. Small claims court

If he's a renter sue the owner. Here's the trick:

You sue him one week. If he continues playing then your neighbor sues him the next. And a third neighbor after that. Keep dragging this guy into court until he gets the message. In addition to disturbing the peace he's a nuisance that affects property values.