In the outside world, things are hectic. It's nice to be able to go home and enjoy peace and quiet from all the "outside noise." What if you have noisy neighbors who make your home everything but a sanctuary? If your peace is being disrupted by inconsiderate neighbors, they may be in violation of the law.

Excessive noise is a nuisance and most communities are aware of that. Virtually every community in the United States has laws against excessive, unnecessary noise – thank goodness! Even better, these laws are enforced by local law enforcement agencies.

Common types of noise issues:

• Construction at odd hours
• Barking dogs
• Parties with loud people and/or music
• Garage bands
• Arguing neighbors
• Loud music
• Lawn mowers early in the morning

Enforcing 'Quiet Hours'

Generally, local noise ordinances enforce what are called "quiet hours," which means that residents have to be quiet during specific hours. For example, between 7 am and 9 pm on weekdays, and between 8 am and 10 pm on weekends. So, playing loud music at a backyard pool party at 5 pm on a Saturday is perfectly acceptable, but blasting music at 11:00 pm that evening is not.

A dog that barks all night long or a motorcycle may merit a call to the local police. Same goes for honking horns, unless there's a danger in the road, and noisy garage bands that are not tolerated by neighbors.

If you're curious about the noise laws in your neighborhood, you can look to the local ordinances. We suggest that you start your search by checking your city and county websites online.

If your online search is unsuccessful or if you need to take action to stop the noise, you can contact a real estate attorney for legal advice and representation. To find a lawyer near you, scroll through our real estate directory!