Can my neighbor run a generator all night every night outside my window?

Question

Recently we had a little bit of a flood and some things got damaged. We live on a coastal peninsula in Norfolk, Virginia. Most people in the neighborhood merely lost there car but all the apartments and condos here are raised up so no water could get in. We never lost power in our apartment but the AC and heating unit was damaged severely enough to warrant the breakers being turned off. So we like to have the windows open so we aren't burning up inside. Well, My neighbor went and put a generator down right outside our window  and has let it run all night and day for a week. At first i thought, Yeah we had a small catastrophe in the neighborhood that's fine they can run that until they get their stuff fixed. But now it's getting terrible. I have a headache everyday i cannot sleep i can't open my windows... They leave it on ALL NIGHT LONG every single night and all day long when they are home. I can't imagine why someone would need to run a generator THAT LONG. I'm getting sick from it and i'm not sure if i should call the Norfolk police to come out and tell them to turn it off at night. Am i within my rights to do so?

chicagirl51 · Accepted Answer

There should be a noise ordinance. I know a generator can be loud and I wouldn't like to hear one running all night while I'm try ing to sleep or even watch TV. Call the city and find out what the ordinance is and then complain about it.

Anonymous · Answer

The first step is talking to the neighbor. They may not even know it's bothering you if you haven't said anything. The noise is one thing, but if the exhaust is blowing into your window when it's open and you need to have your windows open...

If the neighbor isn't receptive, it's worth a call to the police, but if you just had a flood they may be preoccupied with other things. If all else fails, open the windows on another side of your apartment/condo and put a box fan facing out in your bedroom window, then run it on high all night to suck clean air in from elsewhere in the house and blow it out your bedroom window preventing the generator's exhaust fumes from coming in your window. The white noise from the fan may help you sleep, too. There's also ear plugs; those come in real handy after the power gets knocked out here from a hurricane and the generators are going all over the neighborhood.

dalbax2 · Answer

There may be a noise ordinance in your area such as no lawnmowers, generators, etc from 9PM to  8 AM.  Talk to your neighbor first and explain how the situation is bothering you.  Be polite but firm.  If they don't make an effort to change, then you are within your rights to call the police and file a noise complaint.

JOHN B · Answer

We have the same type problem with our INCONSIDERATE neighbor. He uses an air wrench to fix oilfield equipment to supplement his income. Have called police who say they can't help. Some places have noise abatement laws that you can use. Try to figure something out with the neighbor and check about laws in your area. Call police. Maybe the laws in your area will enable you to work something out.

Watchumgrow · Answer

Talk to them and if you get a smart elic answer call the sheriff and then file a nuisance warrant against him

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Can my neighbor run a generator all night every night outside my window?

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