Evidence

Keep a Noise Log

If informal efforts fail, you may need to demonstrate to a third party that a noise nuisance exists. This could include a landlord, property manager, homeowners association, regulatory agency, law enforcement, or a court. Effective documentation typically includes the type of noise, the time of day or night it occurs, its duration, and its perceived intensity.

Record every incident:

Date
Start and end time (or duration)
Type of noise (music, engine, shouting, etc.)
Source (neighbor’s address, bar name, plate number, etc.)
Impact (woke you up, prevented sleep, interfered with work, caused stress)
Whether you called the police or another agency, and what happened

Over time, this becomes powerful evidence that the problem is ongoing and serious.

Another option is to request that a law enforcement officer respond to and observe the noise directly. If an officer documents the condition, an incident report may be generated that can serve as independent corroboration.

Sound Level Measurements

A sound level meter can be used to document noise levels.

Understand the two common weightings:

dB(A) – measures general sound levels, approximating human hearing sensitivity.
dB(C) – more sensitive to low-frequency sound that may be felt as vibration.

For most official purposes, only calibrated instruments operated by trained personnel are accepted as evidence in legal proceedings. However, your own measurements can still be valuable in demonstrating to building management, landlords, or homeowners associations that a problem exists, and it can help strengthen your case when seeking assistance from agencies or elected officials.

Video and Audio Documentation

Audio and video recordings are commonly used to document noise problems, but they have limitations.

Consumer devices, including smartphones, often fail to accurately capture low-frequency noise, which can be difficult to localize because it lacks a clear directional source. While smartphone apps may offer rough decibel estimates, they are generally not reliable for legal or enforcement purposes.

Despite these limitations, it can still provide useful context by documenting when and where the noise occurs, how long it lasts, and the surrounding conditions. It can also be used to document a sound level meter reading as the noise is occurring, helping to support other forms of documentation.

Professional Support

For complex or high-impact cases involving factories, race tracks, large venues, or other major noise sources, an acoustics consultant can provide specialized assistance.

These professionals measure noise levels and frequency content, prepare environmental impact statements or expert reports, and recommend practical mitigation strategies. When a proposed commercial or industrial facility may affect nearby residents, an acoustics consultant can conduct surveys, outline potential impacts, and offer advocacy grounded in technical analysis.

Consultants can also diagnose specific noise problems by measuring sound levels and frequency characteristics to identify the source and determine appropriate remedies, such as adjusting or enclosing mechanical systems or implementing soundproofing solutions in residential or commercial settings.

Although this level of support is often costly, it can be essential in cases that involve legal action or significant community impact.