Noise ordinances

Has loud music from a neighbor’s party ever kept you awake? Or by construction work that started too early in the morning near your home? What about people running the motor on their dirt bike or muscle car? If so, you’ve dealt with noise problems that local laws are meant to help solve.

Our local governments have rules about noise to help everyone live peacefully together. These rules are called noise ordinances. They set limits on how loud sounds can be at different times of day and in different places. They also provide exemptions and exceptions. Understanding these rules can help you know your rights and keep the peace with your neighbors.

Noise ordinances protect people from sounds that disturb their quality of life. In the Mat-Su Borough and the cities, these rules cover many types of noise. This includes loud music, barking dogs, construction work, and loud car engines, for starters. The rules are stricter at night when people are trying to sleep, but sometimes relax on weekends or holidays.

During the day, more noise is allowed because people expect busier activity. But even during daytime hours, sounds cannot be so loud that they bother neighbors in their homes. At night, usually after 10 PM, the rules become much stricter. This is called the “quiet hours” when most noise must stop.

The rules also depend on where you live. Areas with mostly homes have stricter noise limits than business areas. This makes sense because people need quiet spaces to rest and enjoy their homes.

Each municipality has its own enforcer. In Wasilla and Palmer, it’s the local code enforcement section of their police department enforce ordinances. The Mat-Su Borough and the city of Houston have people whose job it is to handle noise complaints and other code violations, but without a police department’s authority. They can visit properties, measure noise levels, and issue warnings or fines to people who break the rules.

Police departments can also help with noise problems involving other issues like fighting or property damage, regardless of area. However, police usually handle more serious problems first. For regular noise complaints, the local code enforcement team is often the better choice. A basic noise complaint about music or dogs barking is not a police or 9-1-1 call.

When someone files a noise complaint, an officer will try to visit the location to see if the rules are being broken. They might use special equipment to measure how loud the sound really is. If the noise is too loud, they can ask the person to turn it down or face penalties.

Noise problems don’t only happen during business hours, of course. When it’s late at night or on weekends, you might not reach local code enforcement offices right away. But you still have options.

If the noise involves other problems like fighting or threats, call the police. They are available all day and night for emergencies. The police can respond quickly to situations that might be dangerous.

For regular noise complaints after hours, you can still document what’s happening. Write the date, time, and type of noise. If possible, take photos or videos. This information will help when the offices open again. Even if they don’t respond when the violation occurs, they can still take action with evidence.

Most importantly, talk to your neighbors directly if you feel safe doing so. Many people don’t realize their noise is bothering others and don’t want neighbor conflict. A friendly conversation often solves the problem faster than filing a complaint.

You can find the local regulations online, but that can take digging to find specific codes. Your better bet is to contact your local city or borough and ask about their regulations. By understanding these rules and knowing how to use them, you can help keep the Mat-Su Borough a great place to live for everyone. And you can keep yourself in compliance, too.

Christian M. Hartley is a 40-year Alaskan resident with over 25 years of public safety experience and public service. He runs a freelance business, Big Lake Writer, from home in Big Lake that he shares with his wife of 19 years and their three teenage sons.