Mowing lawn and noise disturbance

Started by RobertW31 • 10 replies • 1439 views

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RobertW31 (New York)
Posts: 41

Posted:

We have a resident witha large yard and he mows it himself even though we have a mowing service. He takes pride in his lawn and is out there almost everyday. One of the neighbors has complained about the noise. She thinks he should not mow after 6 PM but he works. I tried to suggest that he would only mow the back area of his lawn at certain times and he could mow on the side of the house at other times which would block a lot of the noise.
We have some rules in general but not specific and normally we would not consider mowing a lawn a disturbance. I think it may be the frequency that she hears it from inside her house. He doesn’t mow if anyone is outside on their decks or patios.

The board is going to review the issue and I was wondering if anyone has any rules they could suggest.

LetA (Nevada)
Posts: 2,679

Posted:

I feel there is not much your board can do. What is your town's local ordinances say about noise and nuisances? Typical noise ordinances are usually 6-7am to 9-10 pm, and Sundays I was raised not to run the mower until after 12 noon. I too get the feeling the person complaining is upset with the frequency of the mower being use. With that said, there is probably little to nothing you can do.

JohnC46 (South Carolina)
Posts: 14,265

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By LetA on 05/14/2021 11:30 AM
I feel there is not much your board can do. What is your town's local ordinances say about noise and nuisances? Typical noise ordinances are usually 6-7am to 9-10 pm, and Sundays I was raised not to run the mower until after 12 noon. I too get the feeling the person complaining is upset with the frequency of the mower being use. With that said, there is probably little to nothing you can do.

I agree.

SheliaH (Indiana)
Posts: 6,964

Posted:

I concur with the others - unless you get other complaints, there's not much the board can do. If this lady is concerned, she really should talk to the neighbor and work this out herself. Sometimes, people prefer letting the board do their dirty work, which isn't good either - adults should be able to talk and work things out.

If it is not right do not do it; if it is not true do not say it. Marcus Aurelius

MelissaP1 (Alabama)
Posts: 13,836

Posted:

I have complete empathy for this neighbor on lawn mowing/care noise. Used to work 3rd shift. Come home to sleep and nothing but lawncare outside through out the day. It drove me crazy. I tried EVERYTHING to drown out the noise. My neighbors will even mow in the RAIN!!! BTW: I did find a noise machine that made wave or storm noises only thing worked the best. Earplugs were not as helpful as you would think.

Our HOA had rules of work only between 8 to 5 pm. Meaning contractors including lawncare could only come work during those hours unless emergency. May want to set a similar policy. Explain that due to various work hours of members, that noise levels need to be kept low after 6 pm.

Not much can really do to enforce IMO. Just kind of put it out there that noise levels of work should not carry over after certain hours.

Former HOA President

MaxB4
Posts: 3,513

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By MelissaP1 on 05/14/2021 8:44 PM
I have complete empathy for this neighbor on lawn mowing/care noise. Used to work 3rd shift. Come home to sleep and nothing but lawncare outside through out the day. It drove me crazy. I tried EVERYTHING to drown out the noise. My neighbors will even mow in the RAIN!!! BTW: I did find a noise machine that made wave or storm noises only thing worked the best. Earplugs were not as helpful as you would think.

Our HOA had rules of work only between 8 to 5 pm. Meaning contractors including lawncare could only come work during those hours unless emergency. May want to set a similar policy. Explain that due to various work hours of members, that noise levels need to be kept low after 6 pm.

Not much can really do to enforce IMO. Just kind of put it out there that noise levels of work should not carry over after certain hours.

Homeowner mowing the lawn is not, I repeat, not a contractor, thus not subject to your rule.

MelissaP1 (Alabama)
Posts: 13,836

Posted:

Max it is time someone tells you to shove It. Noise is noise. Whether contractor or not, we have a rule of no work after a certain time like 5 or 6 so to respect others.

Former HOA President

BarbaraT1 (Texas)
Posts: 821

Posted:

This is a conflict between neighbors and not an issue for the board. Even if you have a noise rule, mowing is a common household activity and 6pm is far too early for “quiet hours”. Good grief, the sun hasn’t even set yet at this time of year!

This whole discussion reminds me of the most amusing complaint I’ve ever received in my career - a woman called me because her neighbor mowed his lawn every week - shirtless. He was out of shape and she found looking at his beer belly disgusting.

I suggested she not look.

Mowing at 6pm might be annoying but living in an HOA is not a guarantee that your neighbors will never annoy you.

AugustinD
Posts: 3,698

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By BarbaraT1 on 05/15/2021 6:42 AM
This whole discussion reminds me of the most amusing complaint I’ve ever received in my career - a woman called me because her neighbor mowed his lawn every week - shirtless. He was out of shape and she found looking at his beer belly disgusting.

Heh. One of my former condos once put a notice in the newsletter asking that folks not put their trash receptacles on the curb, for the weekly trash pickup, attired in their bathrobes and bedroom slippers.

I agree with LetA and others posting similar.

LetA (Nevada)
Posts: 2,679

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By AugustinD on 05/15/2021 6:53 AM

I too would suggest they not look. I can't tell you the number of times I took out the trash to the curb in my Pj's and slippers.

MaxB4
Posts: 3,513

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By MelissaP1 on 05/15/2021 12:00 AM
Max it is time someone tells you to shove It.

That works both way dearie

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