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1. Patti Lea
   Member Profile

   I have a neighbor that has been working on his home for 20 years (I am mostly happy that he is). But during this last year he has plastic hanging from the roof down to the ground! when the wind blows between our homes and hits the plastic, it is SO LOUD, even the smallest amount of wind. I have tried talking to him, but with no change. He doesn't seem to care??? I am not sure what to do, I don't want an enemy, I like my neighborhood!

   Posted 1 year ago #         

2. JoB
   Member Profile

   PattiLea..

   i am guessing he thinks the illusion of keeping the house dry is more important than the noise...

   when he hears it i am guessing it reminds him of all the water that isn't pouring into the house

   Posted 1 year ago #         

3. Patti Lea
   Member Profile

   I would probably be more tolerant of the noise and eyesore. If I thought it was a water issue! But over a year of noise is a headache.

   Posted 1 year ago #         

4. flowerpetal
   Member Profile

   

   There is a plethora of noise ordinances in Seattle. I'm unsure if this constitutes a violation of those. Perhaps under the "nuisance noise" or "construction noise."
   Look here:
   http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/cms/groups/pan/@pan/@enforce/@noise/documents/web_informational/dpds017383.pdf

   I'm unsure of who does the enforcing of noise ordinances. Call 684-CITY and you will be directed to someone who can answer your questions.

   Posted 1 year ago #         

5. chrisma
   Member Profile

   

   Patti Lea, it sounds like your neighbor is already making an "enemy" of you.

   Maybe talking to your neighbor again and explicitly stating that you'll be looking into what options you have with the city and law enforcement after a year of living with the noise might drive the point home a bit more clearly.

   I feel for you. It's a tricky situation and one can easily imagine the "it's my property, butt out" response coming back from any questioning.

   Depending on what it's worth to you, you could offer to secure it, replace the plastic with some "quieter" material, have someone look at the issue for him. Not at all your responsibility, but sometimes being proactive and stepping outside of expectations can precipitate some movement. If nothing else, it's communicates your level of frustration to your neighbor.

   Alternatively, or failing any response again, you could try responding in kind. Gas isn't super cheap but a gallon will run a leaf blower for a good long time. A zip tie of sufficient size should work to depress the "trigger" and then you can set it running full bore in the space between both your house and the neighbors and take a walk for an hour or so. Rinse and repeat. Not very nice, but maybe gets a more productive conversation going (or not).

   I wanted to suggest to you to post this issue on Reddit and see what responses you get. I'm sure many will be of the juvenile variety, as mine above is, but crowd-sourcing can generate some out of the box ideas.

   Good luck.

   Posted 1 year ago #         

6. GenHillOne
   Member Profile

   Would slicing some wind vents in the plastic help? Not cutting holes exactly, but just some half-circles or v-shaped cuts that would lessen the "sail-effect" and allow wind to pass through but necessarily rain (if that's his reasoning).

   Posted 1 year ago #         

7. Patti Lea
   Member Profile

   Thank you, I did call..........and since there is not a work permit. The city is coming out to investigate.

   I appreciate everyone's advice and input!!

   Enjoy your peace and quiet!!!!

   Posted 1 year ago #         

8. jissy
   Member Profile

   Patti Lea -- I feel your pain, had a neighbor with the same issue but fortunately for us it was only 1 winter and the work was done. I never said anything b/c I was convinced it was worse for him and at that time (pre-babies) I was a pretty hardcore sleeper.

   Posted 1 year ago #         

9. flowerpetal
   Member Profile

   

   Your neighbor isn't going to be happy; but really he forced your hand with his lack of accomodation. And now, if he is working without a permit; he has compounded his problems in a big way. Good luck with the noise reduction.

   Posted 1 year ago #         

10. singularname
    Member Profile

    Dang. Do what you have to do (well, you did already), but I guess there was no way to "zen" your way into putting it into the environment of where you live? Like it's a rain sound? A traffic sound? Things that people get use to? A sound that accompanies the wind? Heck, I hate wind sound since experiencing a tree through my roof. Who do I call about that? Truthfully, I can't stand the constant all-summer chaos the three rugrats next door create--no peace, mind-boggling yelling, all sorts of crud blowin' into my "privacy" area that they retrieve, or not--but, ya put it into perspective. Calling the City just because you can based on "SO LOUD" is really uncool given everything else with your neighbor is. You probably just made his/her life a living hell with buearacracy, fines, anxiety ... ugh. Make sure any cats you have are licensed, your trash cans are immediately brought in, you don't leave a car parked in the same spot for more than 72 hours or whatever it is, weeds in check, plantings in the parking strip are City-approved ... karma might bite.

    Just a perspective ... (and no, I don't have plastic hangin' off my house ;->)

    Posted 1 year ago #         

11. JoB
    Member Profile

    singularname...

    you have a point there..
    karma can really bite big time.

    Posted 1 year ago #         

12. WSMom
    Member Profile

    

    Did you notice the part where she said this work has been going on for 20 years. Sounds to me like she's been patient and long suffering. If karma is biting anyone it may be the guy with the noisy plastic.

    Posted 1 year ago #         

13. KBear
    Member Profile

    The neighbor has been doing major renovations for 20 years without a permit. He declined to do anything about the noise when approached directly. He's created his own problems. Patti should not feel guilty about reporting him.

    Posted 1 year ago #         

14. Patti Lea
    Member Profile

    Thanks all for your input. Even those who think I am wrong. And "no" I do not feel guilty. The noise is equivalent to loud thunder. To drown out the noise I have purchased noise reducing blinds for that side of my home. I love the sound of children playing outside, and the standard neighborhood noise. I did choose to live in a community, and "normal" noise comes with that. I believe I am a good neighbor. I keep my house, yard, pets, and cars (garbage cans included) in good order. And I have tried to talk with him, about the level of noise. There is scaffolding between the house and plastic, which creates a wind tunnel. I would love to post a photo, but I think that would be a bit drastic.

    Posted 1 year ago #         

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