Noise Question
We live close to an establishment that sometimes is a venue for concerts/music. We were of course aware of this when we moved here, and usually it doesn’t bother us, but it’s a Sunday night and the music is still blasting so loud (11:30) that you can hear it even with the windows closed. So…
We live close to an establishment that sometimes is a venue for concerts/music. We were of course aware of this when we moved here, and usually it doesn’t bother us, but it’s a Sunday night and the music is still blasting so loud (11:30) that you can hear it even with the windows closed.
So I’m wondering if there are limits to noise levels coming out of establishments on different nights of the week (so that a Friday or Saturday would be treated differently than other nights of the week)? Would you file a noise complaint in this situation? Does that even make a difference? Just wondering what the best approach would be. Thanks in advance for any advice.
I dealt with this issue a few years ago. The spanish restaurant across the street from us used to keep their front doors and windows open until 2-3am on a regular basis when weather permitted, weeknights and weekends, with loud flamenco music blasting and drunks cheering on flamenco dancers. We called to politely ask them to be more considerate many times but they always either hung up or pretended to not speak English so we finally called 311, filed a complaint every single night and ultimately got a call from an inspector who asked if he could come out to take noise level readings. He said they’d had numerous complaints from others as well and that if they have an excessive number of complaints that their liquor license would be revoked or wouldn’t be renewed. The noisy nights soon came to an end after they were fined again and the place changed ownership about a year later. It hasn’t been a problem since.
Hi — Thanks for all of the good advice. I’m in the North Slope — a little too close to 4th ave. & Union St., and the place definitely has sound leakage (you can see a large set of windows completely open on one side). It isn’t a constant problem or anything, and somewhat to be expected on a Friday or Saturday night… I don’t like filing complaints and grew up in the city so am used to some level of noise, but on a Sunday night it’s a bit too much (and for those who asked, it’s noise traveling through the air — we’re not adjacent to the place/don’t share any walls/aren’t on the same block but close enough). Thanks again for the tips — if it happens again, I’ll probably try to talk to the manager.
I was wondering if it’s a place I ever go, but there aren’t many places to see bands in PS.
where exactly are you tho? that does make a difference
*rob*
Back in May, Brownstoner had a page on noise problems from bars, restaurants and other places with live music, etc… There is a lot of info on this page, including videos from CB 2 with officials from various agencies who are in charge of enforcing the rules.
There was an article this week end on the NY times regarding noise problems with bars, restaurants, etc, using bakyards etc. It looks like some help is on the way to correct the noise excess coming from some places.
also agree with BOD’s approach. Talk to them first and try to problem solve with them. Perhaps someone is leaving a back door or window open, or there is some other obvious source of sound leakage that can be addressed easily.
Last I checked, there are specific decibel requirements relating to noise emanating from entertainment establishments into residences. I think it was 45dB, but check. Its a major topic and disputed (and litigated) all the time, so you should be able to find it. There are many ways to measure dBs, by the way. How much of the problem is bass through the floors and walls and how much is it ambient sound through air?
I would go speak with the manager directly. Be sweet of course. They may not even be aware that they are bothering anyone (hard as that might be to believe). If they are unresponsive to your concerns, then it’s time to start filing 311 complaints. BTW yes there are noise ordinance laws; they can be found on http://www.nyc.gov somewhere. Good luck.