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Children

Young children naturally run, jump, laugh, and cry, and often lack the awareness to understand how their behavior may affect others. As children grow older, they increasingly observe and model social behavior based on the expectations and boundaries set by parents and caregivers.

Parents and guardians play a central role in teaching children to respect shared environments. This includes setting expectations for appropriate behavior in homes, public spaces, and during activities where excessive noise may affect others.

The law generally recognizes that children have the same right to enjoy their homes as adults, but noise-related disputes involving children can be complex. A toddler playing during daytime hours is rarely considered a nuisance, while persistent or excessive noise from older children may, depending on the circumstances, be treated as a nuisance.

Many apartment buildings and multi-unit dwellings lack adequate sound insulation. Everyday activities, such as a child running on hardwood floors, can transmit significant noise to adjacent units. Practical mitigation measures, including the use of area rugs or carpeting with sound-absorbing padding, can substantially reduce these impacts.

When addressing a noise concern involving children, discussions should be directed to the parent or guardian rather than the child. If informal efforts fail, landlords or property managers may be able to require reasonable accommodations or enforce building rules.