Noise abatement laws impose penalties on individuals and businesses that produce excessive and nuisance noise. The laws vary by jurisdiction and can cover a multitude of sources, including animal control and landlord-tenant relationships. Businesses may be restricted to certain areas, and homeowners are expected to control noise on their property. Landlords may be held liable for tenants’ noise violations, and tenants may be able to terminate their lease or sue their landlord for damages.
Noise abatement laws address noise pollution by prescribing both criminal and civil penalties for individuals and businesses that produce excessive and nuisance noise. The nature and scope of these laws vary by jurisdiction, with some areas having extremely comprehensive noise abatement laws and significant penalties for those who violate them. Noise ordinances can be very complex in nature, often having to cover a multitude of sources. For example, an area may pass a noise abatement law that governs industrial noise, man-made noise, as well as noise created by airplanes and other forms of transportation. Noise issues are also factored into animal control ordinances and landlord-tenant relationships.
Some of these laws are aimed at businesses and can take on the character of environmental protection laws by treating excessive noise as a form of pollution. For example, entertainment venues may be restricted to operating in certain areas intended for commercial activities. You may also need to install soundproofing or stop playing music at a certain time. Similarly, factory owners may be required to monitor the amount of noise their equipment produces. Construction workers, who often have to work in residential areas, may be permitted by law to use noisy tools, such as jackhammers, but will be limited in the hours and days they can use them.
Home owners and renters are generally expected to show common courtesy to their neighbors by controlling noise on their property. This includes monitoring the noise produced by household appliances such as air conditioning units and entertainment systems. A homeowner may also be held responsible for controlling the amount of noise their pets make. Some areas even have laws penalizing car owners who fail to check their car’s automatic alarm system and fail to turn it off immediately if it activates while parked in a residential area.
In some cases, noise abatement laws can take on special significance for landlords and tenants. Landlords may be held liable for their tenants’ refusal to obey noise abatement laws and may be able to evict tenants on the grounds that the tenants have repeatedly violated them. Tenants may also be able to terminate their lease or sue their landlord for damages if the landlord refuses to take action against other tenants who violate noise laws.
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