Noisy neighbor: what you can do

Calm first, then proof, then the right office.

The answer in 2 lines. Start by talking calmly to your neighbor, then put it in writing. Keep a log: dates, times, how long, what kind of noise, any witnesses. If you rent, tell your landlord: leases usually require quiet enjoyment. In a condo or HOA, contact the board. For ongoing noise, call your city's 311 or the police non-emergency line. Many cities offer free community mediation. Call 911 only if someone is in danger.

The first 3 steps

Talk to them at a calm moment: they may not realize how far sound carries.
Keep a noise log: date, time, length, type of noise, witnesses, recordings if legal where you live.
Put it in writing: a friendly note, then a letter to the neighbor and your landlord or HOA if it continues.

Who to contact, step by step

Landlord or property manager if you rent: most leases include quiet-hours or nuisance rules.
Condo board or HOA: bylaws often set quiet hours and fines.
City: most US cities have noise ordinances with quiet hours. Use 311 or the police non-emergency number.
Community mediation: many counties offer free or low-cost mediation for neighbor disputes.
Small claims or civil court, as a last resort, for a nuisance that goes on and on.

In your city

New York City: report noise from a neighbor through 311 (phone, app or online). The NYC Noise Code sets the rules.
Los Angeles: for a loud party or disturbance, call the LAPD non-emergency line, 1-877-ASK-LAPD (1-877-275-5273).
Houston, Dallas and San Antonio: noise is mostly governed by city ordinances; the Texas State Law Library has a free guide to noise and nuisance law.
Rules and quiet hours differ by city: check your city's website.

What not to do

Getting into a heated confrontation at the door late at night.
Making noise back or damaging their property: it can turn you into the problem neighbor, legally.

Good to know

In older buildings, noise often comes from poor insulation rather than bad behavior: rugs, door sweeps or building repairs can help.
Call 911 only for emergencies: a fight, screams, threats or someone in danger.

In Brooklyn, Aisha's upstairs neighbor plays music past 1 a.m. several nights a week. She leaves a friendly note, then keeps a two-week log. Nothing changes, so she emails her landlord with the log and reports the noise through 311. The parties stop after the landlord's warning.

A made-up story, for illustration.

Bobby

Sources, verification, confidence

Verified on October 18, 2026, for the United States. Confidence: high for NYC 311 and the NYC Noise Code; high for the LAPD non-emergency number; medium for general statements about other cities, whose rules vary. This guide describes common cases, not a diagnosis or legal advice.