Noise and Zoning Problems with Neighbor

[oscar gamble]

No, not neighbors, just ONE neighbor who has been a pain in the rear since she moved in.

We're zoned for a home business (recording studio) and under the zoning law, no 'noise' is supposed to emanate from the studio which is a new barn, converted into a studio.

My question is, since I wasn't zoned for business, I wouldn't have to follow these guidelines since I would be allowed to make as much noise as I wanted between 7am and 10pm. But since I'm under the rules of a home business, I seem a bit 'constricted'.

The high-schooler in me wants to say 'ok, I'm going out of business', pull the plug on the actual business and then just be a freelance engineer so that my barn is no longer a business.

However, I would lose my zoning so that would be a big problem if I earned income from my home....

The bizzarre thing is, I could set the amps up OUTSIDE the barn and it would be perfectly kosher since the noise wouldn't be coming from inside. However, as much fun as that would be to really piss off my neighbor, I'm quite fond of the rest of my other neighbors (since none of them have EVER complained) and don't want to be a jerk.

Any thoughts? I thought I had a magic loophole by closing the business but yeah, if I'm making money from home, the good commonwealth is going to find out.

Thanks

[oldeanalogueguy]

Originally Posted by oscar gamble

No, not neighbors, just ONE neighbor who has been a pain in the rear since she moved in.

We're zoned for a home business (recording studio) and under the zoning law, no 'noise' is supposed to emanate from the studio which is a new barn, converted into a studio.

My question is, since I wasn't zoned for business, I wouldn't have to follow these guidelines since I would be allowed to make as much noise as I wanted between 7am and 10pm. But since I'm under the rules of a home business, I seem a bit 'constricted'.

The high-schooler in me wants to say 'ok, I'm going out of business', pull the plug on the actual business and then just be a freelance engineer so that my barn is no longer a business.

However, I would lose my zoning so that would be a big problem if I earned income from my home....

The bizzarre thing is, I could set the amps up OUTSIDE the barn and it would be perfectly kosher since the noise wouldn't be coming from inside. However, as much fun as that would be to really piss off my neighbor, I'm quite fond of the rest of my other neighbors (since none of them have EVER complained) and don't want to be a jerk.

Any thoughts? I thought I had a magic loophole by closing the business but yeah, if I'm making money from home, the good commonwealth is going to find out.

Thanks

you are violating the law
so
turn the volume down
before somebody burns the barn down

apparently you forgot the soundproofing in your "studio"

not sure where you are
but biz or not you cant make that noise outside where i live without the cops closing you down completely

don't be a ****head
play nice with neighbors
you dont need the sound up that loud

and you are never going to make any money anyway
so put your effort into studyign your school lessons

[drBill]

Bake them a nice cake, compliment their kids or maybe their dog, lend a hand when they are carrying in the groceries, buy TONS of girl scout cookies from them.

Never say the word "work" or "business" in their presence. Say stuff like "I always wanted to have a band since I was a kid. Now that I've got some $$$, I can play "rock star" all day long!

Kindness goes a long way. Your neighbors can make your life a 100% nightmare if they want to. I'd rather they like me.

And if all that fails, you can always burn them out of the house. (j/k)

[oscar gamble]

The wife actually had the same idea that I did. We're just going to dissolve the business and our zoning permit.

If they don't like it, they can spend more time at their second house in Vermont.

[oldeanalogueguy]

Originally Posted by oscar gamble

The wife actually had the same idea that I did. We're just going to dissolve the business and our zoning permit.

If they don't like it, they can spend more time at their second house in Vermont.

if they dont like it they can make your life pure *hell*
and do it all legally

turn the damn volume down and dont be a schmendrick

just how close can they be if you have a barn anyway?
are you using football stadium pa system to send sound that far away ??

[Jomox]

Respect your neighbours, do whatever you can to isolate the sound coming from the barn, you don't have legal grounds to carry on doing it so could end up loosing out allot more.

I hate moaning neighbours but when your not in the right and they have the law on their side you gotta take action in terms of stopping your sound reaching the elements of your neighbours.

For me personally I can't work properly if the sound is going to the neighbours, no privacy.

[oscar gamble]

Originally Posted by oldeanalogueguy

if they dont like it they can make your life pure *hell*
and do it all legally

turn the damn volume down and dont be a schmendrick

just how close can they be if you have a barn anyway?
are you using football stadium pa system to send sound that far away ??

They live across the road from the barn, about 300 yards.

The barn is soundproof. Cars stereos are louder than anything I have created.

I have three other neighbors who are friendly and blatantly told me that they would inform me if I was ever a nuisance.

It's summertime and we live in the country so her windows are open and she could hear the kick of the bass drum. The barn contains three separate rooms with about a foot of mineral wool in the joists.

But yeah, I AM using a football stadium PA as my monitoring system, do you think that's what's causing the fuss?

[drBill]

Originally Posted by oscar gamble

They live across the road from the barn, about 300 yards.

The barn is soundproof. Cars stereos are louder than anything I have created.

I have three other neighbors who are friendly and blatantly told me that they would inform me if I was ever a nuisance.

It's summertime and we live in the country so her windows are open and she could hear the kick of the bass drum. The barn contains three separate rooms with about a foot of mineral wool in the joists.

But yeah, I AM using a football stadium PA as my monitoring system, do you think that's what's causing the fuss?

She can hear a kick drum at 300 yards?!?!?!? Something's up with your soundproofing.....OR, perhaps moving that monitoring system INSIDE the barn.

On a side note - with everything locked down tight on my end, I can be recording BLASTING drums approx. 30 feet from my neighbors bedroom windows. Never heard a peep from them - and they have an old house with wood frame sashes and windows. I'm sure they can HEAR it sometimes if they try, but proper insulation, double walls, decoupling on the walls, etc. made it insignificant to the point of being a non issue. And to boot, I have 2 HUGE windows (although not facing their house) in that room. Now remember, I said 30 FEET.

[Jomox]

My houses and the houses around are the worse, sound just travels right through them, so lots of layers of rockwool was needed.

[Jackie Treehorn]

Listen to dr bill.

I just went through a big rezoning case here in Austin, so I'm speaking from recent experience. I had neighbors who were EXTREMELY skeptical of me and my plans... and after sitting with them and giving them a chance to air their concerns, most of the people who were hostile at first ended up writing letters to city council and speaking at rezoning meetings on my behalf (really). I count several of them as friends now.

Make a sincere effort to mend fences. This might be the best advice I ever give on gearslutz.

[4 the Max]

1. give them a commission or referral fee if the find clients for you. If they're making money they'll be even happier to have you around and feel included.

2. Find out their favorite music. If there's a band that fits this, let them sit in the session and enjoy a free concert.

3. In short, find some way to make them feel included.

[oscar gamble]

Thanks again, everyone. All is well.