SPD operates within a framework that divides the city into five geographical areas called "precincts". Noise complaints can be complex. If the unreasonable noise is found to be criminal, the maximum penalty can include up to 180 days in jail and/or up to a $500 fine. Jennifer Mueller is an in-house legal expert at wikiHow. It can be a bit easier to reconcile a noise issue in an apartment because you have your landlord to help. You may call 911 if you believe it is an emergency but only do so if it appears there is criminal activity going on on the property. Any residence or business with an alarm system must have a permit on file with the City. % of people told us that this article helped them. Then explain that the problem has not gone away, or that it went away briefly and then returned, whichever is applicable to your situation. Click here to submit an online request thru Gardena Direct. Contact Information. Loading and unloading goods at odd hours. You may schedule an appointment online to apply for a work permit. Most often, they refer to the noise: There are instances where allowed noise levels and acceptable noise levels are not the same thing. A former lieutenant with the Gardena Police Department has filed a lawsuit against the city, claiming he was discriminated against and fired in 2019 because he is gay and had HIV. If you are wondering how to file a noise complaint anonymously, you are in luck. Noise is loud, frequent, or continuous and caused by animals, horns or sirens (not emergency equipment) motor-vehicles being repaired or tested, musical instruments or sounds amplifiers, human voices. For certain types of disturbances, citizens can call city hall or go online to fill out a residential noise complaint form. Make a copy of the signed letter for your records and use certified or registered mail so you'll know when they received it. The police, in response to each complaint, shall verify by use of the sound level meter described herein that the noise complained of does exceed the limit described herein and if so, may thereupon arrest and/or . But first, lets discuss if and when you should involve the police in the first place? Hopefully, the police will arrive before the noise stops. Namely, the first thing you should do if you find yourself having to face a particularly noisy neighbor is educate yourself on local laws. Often, having an officer show up at the door about a noise complaint is enough to get most people to tone it down. Code Enforcement places high priority on voluntary compliance and neighborhood empowerment, but includes citation, prosecution and abatement activities when necessary to achieve the goals. For complaints about noisy pubs and clubs, visit our . Performing yard maintenance or construction outside of traditional business hours. If that's the case, let your landlord know and they can try to come up with a different option. The complaint did not state specifically when Prendergast was fired or if the allegations related to the Washington D.C. trip directly led to his termination. Here are some ways to keep noise to a minimum: Set quiet time hours. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/43\/Report-Noise-Complaints-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Report-Noise-Complaints-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/43\/Report-Noise-Complaints-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid10878745-v4-728px-Report-Noise-Complaints-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"