Reddit user PatientYouth has lost all patience with their neighbor, who, starting in March, has allegedly been “blasting a 700-watt speaker in his yard every single day.” Other people from across the Utah neighborhood have also complained, PatientYouth says, but the “cops say it’s totally legal until 10:30 PM.” OP says that they are losing their mind and accuses their neighbor of having “zero concept of how far sound travels.”
PatientYouth posted their situation to r/legaladvice, hoping other Redditors might help them find legal recourse against this boomboxing neighbor. They believe this neighbor has “free rein” to basically play his music loudly without any real penalty, “as long as he cuts the power at exactly 10:30 PM.” PatientYouth claimed police haven’t done anything, but people believe they’re seeking help from the wrong source.
Reddit Urges OP to Go to Code Enforcement, not Police
“Forget the police. Report him to your local city code enforcement office,” recommended a commenter. “Look into how you sue under private nuisance laws. You and your neighbors can band together to make a stronger case,” added another. Many suggested OP invest in a decibel meter to document and prove to the local officials that this neighbor is “civilly liable for nuisance.”
However, it’s important to note a crucial detail that PatientYouth has yet to share: how loud exactly is this neighbor playing their music? Just because he uses a 700-watt speaker doesn’t automatically mean he’s jamming tunes at full blast. Another important point is that just because 10:30 pm is the cut-off time for their music doesn’t mean the neighbor can make unlimited noise before then and get away with it scot-free.
This is why many Redditors in the comments urge OP to do their due diligence by researching local ordinances, how loud their neighbor’s speakers are playing, and which government office to contact for this situation, with other neighbors as witnesses, of course.
Some commenters suggested PatientYouth retaliate with their own obnoxious musical jamming, but others point out that would just make them the second most hated person in the neighborhood. One is enough.
