tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8479159924975091593.post4443038734233422083..comments2020-12-31T23:25:16.402-06:00Comments on Citizens for Noise Ordinance - Montgomery County, TX: The Noise Next Door - My StoryDeborah Amblerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03128505310412678002noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8479159924975091593.post-70160270241477917122012-01-04T09:41:22.431-06:002012-01-04T09:41:22.431-06:00I live in the Woodlands next to a moron that leave...I live in the Woodlands next to a moron that leaves her 2 dogs outside all night to bark. I've left her a note and have contacted the home owner's association. She must be deaf because I cannot honestly figure out how she does not hear the dogs all night. One is tiny but the other is about 75 pounds and has a loud bark. I have 2 dogs of my own, I'm a big animal lover but I don't care to hear them at 2,3,4 am. I would gladly welcome a noise ordinance.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8479159924975091593.post-78890840454104885652011-12-30T21:38:52.734-06:002011-12-30T21:38:52.734-06:00We are surrounded by neighbors who leave their dog...We are surrounded by neighbors who leave their dogs outside to bark at the wind. Every morning I am woken up by the same dog before the sun even peeks its head out. We have a dog too but don't leave her outside unsupervised. It's called common courtesy. Too bad more people don't practice it!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8479159924975091593.post-59090987799403250222010-11-15T23:41:44.028-06:002010-11-15T23:41:44.028-06:00Live next to a guy stuck in the 80's. He'...Live next to a guy stuck in the 80's. He's constantly working on his '84 Camero and listening to cheesy hair bands. Several times, during every day of the week, he can be found in the driveway revving the engine. During the day, I don't mind it. I mean, it's annoying, but tolerable. However, he gets up every morning at 6:15 and warms the car up before leaving at 6:30. His idea of warming up the car is backing it out of the driveway and revving it for 15 minutes. It wakes me up every single morning, without fail. <br /><br />After reading all these horror stories, I'm counting my blessings because it could be much, much worse. However, it's still bugger and I would absolutely be in favor of a noise ordinance.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8479159924975091593.post-23782421172935133342010-11-07T22:18:41.521-06:002010-11-07T22:18:41.521-06:00i live in an unincorporated area of montgomery cou...i live in an unincorporated area of montgomery county, when i moved here from houston in 1973 to get away from the big city problems it was very pleasant & quite, only 3 houses in the sub. now there are over 250. 4 wheelers, boom boxes,tires sqealing,gun shots,loose & barking dogs have made the sub. go to s###. my next door neighbor has 4 dogs that bark constantly, & wake my wife & i up all hours of the night,i try to keep my yard neat & clean & cannot work in it without having to listen to the dogs barking,the one that does the most barking is a stray she picked up in a parking lot,my wife is sick & paralized from a stroke & is in & out of the hospital,the dogs are driving us nuts,i have asked them 5 times very nicely & wrote them 3 letters,to no availe. to do something with the dogs,i have called sheriffs dept.the deputy came out and talked to me at 5:00 p/m. with the dogs climbing the fence & barking the whole time i was talking with the the deputy in my driveway & said montgomery county has new nuisance laws then he went over & talked to the neighbor,the neighbor came to my house at 8:30 at night banging on my door, said she did not appreciate me calling the sheriffs dept, she said she was tired of my rooster flying over her fence & she has to catch him & throw him back over the fence,which she does not own, i put up half the fence at my expense & myself and the original owners of her property purchased & installed the other half 50/50 & i advised her i did not have a rooster & if i did why haven't your dogs killed it, then she said she was tired of my cats getting under her house & having kittens. my wife has 2 cats & they are house cats never outside, i told her i would go to the judge's office & talk to him, she said do whatever you want to do i am not doing anything with my dogs. she also said her (stray) dog is never outside without his no bark collar on which he did not have until i called the sheriff's dept.& only sometimes now,i told her myself & the deputy both saw him with no collar on, she said you are a liar,& he is never outside after dark, he stays in a kennel inside the house all night every night, she is never home & her sons let the dog out before they go to school.i advised her i have photos day & night of the dogs. she said if i did not like to hear her dogs barking, put up a wood fence so they can't see me. i advised her i already have a fence, she needs to put up a wood fence. the sheriffs dept advised me to go to the j.p. and file a nuisance complant, & to call animal control which i am going to do.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8479159924975091593.post-19065891062207192652010-10-07T05:53:20.922-05:002010-10-07T05:53:20.922-05:00It is absolutely true that there are no noise rest...It is absolutely true that there are no noise restriction covenants in The Woodlands. If you are planning to move here to escape the noise in other communities, don't waste your money. We have a neighbor behind us who has loud pool parties year round with stereo speakers turned up full blast; not only summer, but events like the Super Bowl. They have two huge dogs that are left outside in the yard until 10:00 at night and bark very loudly and nonstop for hours and hours on end. When I contacted the Woodlands Township through their website, I received a curt snotty email reply telling me there are no covenants regarding barking dogs, and advising me to go talk to the neighbor or call Animal Control or the sheriff. Reading multiple posts on this website and others has taught me that this is completely useless. <br /><br />I am sick at heart when I think that we left our completely paid off home in the city to move out here, because we thought our old neighborhood was too noisy with nonstop police sirens, booming car stereos, and loud parties from transient renters. So we have incurred a large mortgage, and now commute two hours a day back and forth to our jobs, and for what? I wish we had stayed in Sharpstown, at least we had two more hours a day of free time.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8479159924975091593.post-6547111190623177762010-05-17T06:02:32.071-05:002010-05-17T06:02:32.071-05:00What is a sound machine and how can that help? I l...What is a sound machine and how can that help? I live near pearland, but is still in Houston and nothing has worked. Live in townhomes, buying.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8479159924975091593.post-52409616242028844822010-04-27T20:58:32.990-05:002010-04-27T20:58:32.990-05:00We live in a quiet area in the Woodlands. Nice ne...We live in a quiet area in the Woodlands. Nice neighborhood and generally nice people. Nearly everyone has a lawn service, but they come at all hours of the day, beginning at 7AM. I know -- this is small-time compared to all the horror stories above, but I'm really surprised to learn there are no noise restrictions locally or in the Woodlands covenants. My issue is so minor compared to others, but not everyone works 8-5, so lawn mowers, power edgers and gas blowers before dawn will get your blood boiling.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8479159924975091593.post-28816646516000498782010-04-16T04:47:22.012-05:002010-04-16T04:47:22.012-05:00We have lived in Settlers Corner Townhomes in the ...We have lived in Settlers Corner Townhomes in the Village of Grogans Mill in The Woodlands for a long time. Up until a few months ago, it was relatively peaceful here. The music (base) from neighbors' home stereos is driving me nuts - many sleepless nights. Though we don't want to move, we've been considering a move near the back (quieter?) side of The Woodlands, but am concerned about even that after reading all these comments.<br /><br />Would everyone consider, while commenting on this blogspot, stating what neighborhood you live in? I realize every area can change overnight.<br /><br />... shall be buying a sound machine tomorrow.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8479159924975091593.post-80804402410764108622010-04-05T14:00:10.464-05:002010-04-05T14:00:10.464-05:00Is this blog still active? If so, please contact ...Is this blog still active? If so, please contact me. I live in Lampasas County and am being terrorized by dirt bikes next door. I am VERY much interested in s noise ordinance at the county level. You can reach me at 512-786-6709 (week days) or at home 512-556-9219 evenings and weekends when I haven't been forced to leave my property to retain my sanity!<br /><br />Thanks!<br />Lea KenyonLea Kenyonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8479159924975091593.post-64361072164808209602010-03-29T21:18:22.025-05:002010-03-29T21:18:22.025-05:00I live in Bear Creek Meadows in Katy. I have the s...I live in Bear Creek Meadows in Katy. I have the sheriff's number on speed dial. Thumping, wall vibrating music from a neighbor's car is making me physically ill. The owner lives across the street. The sheriff dispatcher promises to send a deputy out but no one showed the last three times. <br /><br />The day I came home from surgery I was yanked from deep sleep by the loud car stereo. My headboard vibrated. The water in my glass vibrated. The wall and double paned windows rattled. All I could do was cry because I couldn't get out of bed.<br /><br />The nuisance has turned into harassment. I've been told to take him to court and swear out a warrant. This came just a couple hours ago from an officer I spoke with to complain yet again.<br /><br />I feel better knowing there are others out here who are tired and angry enough to do something. The officer told me to get my neighbors involved. The only problem with that is the neighbors are friends of the offender. Loud rap music is their kind of music. I stand alone on my street. I am probably the only one in our community who's not afraid of the young thugs. I am a woman. I am mad as hell. And I won't be abused any more. I pay taxes. THEY don't. I am a home owner. They are not. Too many of them are Section 8 recipients who were displaced by Katrina. <br /><br />Count me in the fight for peace and quiet.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8479159924975091593.post-24954199887508597612010-03-06T15:44:58.782-06:002010-03-06T15:44:58.782-06:00i live off old houston in Montgomery county and i ...i live off old houston in Montgomery county and i have to deal with my neighbors playing loud music all day and night. my neighbors have a 10,000 watt competition sound system in there car which they play for extended periods of time through out the day and night. the bass is so loud i can not even hear my own T.V. inside my home with the doors shut. the vibrations rattle my walls and furniture i can even feel my chest vibrating. today i was woke up at 7:00am to chest rattling bass which lasted until 3:35pm. i have asked them to lower the volume twice and both times they said they would but nothing has changed. i don't like to have personal conflict with my neighbors because it normally leads to property damage or intentional rudeness. they also have pigs,chickens,ducks,rabbits,dogs, and cats all on one acer. all of these animals make a lot of noise and they don't have a fence so they are also always in my yard eating my plants and defecating on my lawn. i hope a noise ordinance will pass soon so these rude neighbors will have to face consequences.JTCnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8479159924975091593.post-86643712390515891672010-01-31T19:45:22.215-06:002010-01-31T19:45:22.215-06:00Suing is an option, but when we investigated it th...Suing is an option, but when we investigated it the lawyers we consulted warned us that it would be VERY expensive, as in tens of thousands of dollars. Under the law, the legal expenses could not be recovered even if we won. Additionally, several lawyers said that the chances of getting any better results than just calling the Sheriff repeatedly were not likely.<br /><br />Our torturers were already over the decibel limit, but enforcement just depended on which Deputy showed up until recently. Sometimes they would be cited, and other times nothing happened even though they were far over the 85 decibel limit. <br /><br />Lately, for some reason, the idiots have been quieter. Some of us are just grateful for the reprieve, but others are just waiting for the weather to warm up and the bands to start pounding insanity into us again.<br /><br />Why do none of the State Legislators seem willing to write a reasonable law?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8479159924975091593.post-39639762960634065002010-01-13T19:57:15.763-06:002010-01-13T19:57:15.763-06:00We had new renters move in and there dog barks all...We had new renters move in and there dog barks all day. I sent them a letter and they keept it from barking at night, but it still barks all day. It is so frustrating and I feel we have no way to stop it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8479159924975091593.post-89716562357246437062009-11-13T10:43:16.009-06:002009-11-13T10:43:16.009-06:00I live in Panther Creek of The Woodlands and the o...I live in Panther Creek of The Woodlands and the opening story "The Noise Next Door", is similar to what I experience from neighbors who moved in 3 years ago. Inconsiderate drunks, who are self-centered and believe they own the cul-de-sac.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8479159924975091593.post-24334703522388698142009-10-20T17:48:49.973-05:002009-10-20T17:48:49.973-05:00I should note that disorderly Conduct as it reads ...I should note that disorderly Conduct as it reads in the Penal Code is applicable to counties, but there can't be a special noise order just for Montgomery County. You need to live in a town for thatAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8479159924975091593.post-85047857183530153462009-10-20T17:47:02.708-05:002009-10-20T17:47:02.708-05:00Just so you know, municipalities are given the rig...Just so you know, municipalities are given the right to create ordinances to abate nuisances per Local Govt Code 217. Counties are only able to regulate certain activities addressed in Local Govt code 231-250. Noise is not one of them, so do not be surprised when you get no where with your commissioners court. They just don't have the same authority as municipalitiesAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8479159924975091593.post-44937501022070638342009-10-17T22:01:50.260-05:002009-10-17T22:01:50.260-05:00I Live In Splendora Tx Which Is A Small Town In Mo...I Live In Splendora Tx Which Is A Small Town In Montgomery County It Is Country However I Feel That You Should Respect Your Neighbors And Keep Your Music Down And Or Turned Off At A Decent Time Im All For Partying And Getting High But You Gotta Know When To Pull The Plug On The Party.B~Bnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8479159924975091593.post-1347315034624661772009-08-22T23:24:49.355-05:002009-08-22T23:24:49.355-05:00I appreciate all of this information and would lik...I appreciate all of this information and would like to do whatever I can to stop it. Just a while ago I had the walls thumping from two doors down. The Sheriff said they could ask the people to "turn it down" but that was all. I would appreciate any help in getting the noise at night lowered. My email is dotyjean@hotmail.com.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8479159924975091593.post-68545628275027415032009-07-15T03:35:07.312-05:002009-07-15T03:35:07.312-05:00I live in Harris county and have a similar problem...I live in Harris county and have a similar problem. You should be aware that criminal penalities from future laws are not your only recourse.<br /><br />"Quiet enjoyment" of your property is common law, and you can sue another property owner (civil court) for depriving you of your property rights. Damages vary, but you may consider seeking $70 - $130 per day that you are deprived. If the total claim is low enough, you can file in small claims court. Alternatively, several affected neighbors could join a suit together. <br /><br />If the neighbor has persisted after requests, intentional infliction of emotional distress is a possible claim. Unintentional infliction is another option. Research is published regarding the effects of noise polution and sleep deprivation. Actual threats and harrassment from your noisy neighbor are also relevant.<br /><br />You will have to collect evidence: filed police reports, decibel readings, coroborating witnesses, etc.<br /><br />I would like to see some suits like this filed in unincorporated areas in Texas to establish some precedents here. The non-regulation of noise by criminal law is an egregious, profound failure of our elected officials. These areas are far too populated to be that unregulated.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8479159924975091593.post-10804344661228294602009-06-24T18:16:57.197-05:002009-06-24T18:16:57.197-05:00I don't know whether to say fortunately or unf...I don't know whether to say fortunately or unfortunately, but God gave me a keen sense of hearing. We live in The Woodlands on a pie-shaped lot (1/3 acre), and we share the back fence with THREE neighbors (Their lots are smaller.) Two of those have backyard pools. Then there are the neighbors on either side. Over the 9 years I have lived here, I have had one neighbor (behind me with a pool) compete with his young boys to see who could be the most obnoxious (loud) and defiant. I prayed nightly that he would "go away," and eventually I stopped seeing him, although his wife and kids remained in the home for some years thereafter. The neighbor next to them---their dog would be let out in the a.m. and would bark all day. I did not say anything about it until I finally could not take it anymore. I called their house and left a message on their answering machine telling them the noise was "affecting the quality of my life." The husband returned my call and said their dogs were not let out during the day. He was clueless that for MONTHS their nanny was letting the dog out while she was there. That night, I got a "call and no one speaks" phone call...and as I have caller ID, I said something and mentioned the person's name (Want to bet it was the Nanny!). That never happened again. Then there is the other neighbor who has 2 small "yap yap" dogs whose husband thinks it's "cute" for them to bark NON STOP while he and the kids frolic in the pool. "Cute" is far from the word I would describe as a neighbor having to listen to that. Then next to me, we have to "bounce back" neighbors. Clueless, spoiled, pampered kids left home to start college...majored in boys...picked up stray animals...flunked out of college...moved back in with mom and dad...and "the dog" accompanied them. "The dog" was used to living inside an apt., and that was not part of the plan when my neighbors let their daughter "boomerang back home." So the unhappy dog would bark from sunlight to sundown. I considered my options...and I think it would be wise not to mention all the things I considered...but I didn't carry them out...It's NOT the animal's fault. Inconsiderate neighbors? You bet! I, too, investigated what I could do about it. Take them to civil court and say the noise affected my quality of life. ...or grit my teeth and bear it and hope they all move away... ...do you wonder if I'm in favor of a noise law? You bet your boots I am. In another day and time in Texas, those animals would have been SHOT! These days, animals are treated better than some children! Don't even ask me about the neighbor who has one job after the other going on in his driveway/at his house...a huge carpet cleaning truck for 6 hours...and that's just one of 1000 stories I could tell. Calgon...please take me away to a quiet place. I have idiots for neighbors!!!!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8479159924975091593.post-90789374835496676362009-06-19T19:07:35.157-05:002009-06-19T19:07:35.157-05:00We moved into a neighborhood in Magnolia a year ag...We moved into a neighborhood in Magnolia a year ago. The neighbor two doors down has a lot of dogs that bark very loud at all hours. I understand that the police have been called out several times but the man will not keep his dogs quite. Also he practices small arms fire at vatious times in the week. That has also been reported bu nothing seems to make a difference.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8479159924975091593.post-3306249151540232282009-06-18T11:03:38.492-05:002009-06-18T11:03:38.492-05:00A good start would be to draw a distinction betwee...A good start would be to draw a distinction between necessary noise and discretionary noise. <br /><br />Railroad noise is necessary for general commerce. The power blower used by your neighbors yard service is necessary to keep up the general appearance of properties at a reasonable cost.<br /><br />A teenager's loud exhaust is discretionary. Quieter exhaust options are available. Neighbors loud outside parties till the wee hours of the morning are discretionary. They can move their noise inside.<br /><br />A little common sense and concern for others would go a long way in establishing reasonable rules and laws to regulate noise.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8479159924975091593.post-47215651284577750752009-06-17T20:36:41.286-05:002009-06-17T20:36:41.286-05:00I believe the Texas Penal Code, making “unreasonab...I believe the Texas Penal Code, making “unreasonable noise in a public place other than a sport shooting range,” needs to be looked out all together. There is an exemption is for shooting ranges; however there are many buisnesses such as the trucking companies, electric/fuel company (stations), motocross tracks, mud pits, railroad companies, Cynthia Woodland's Pavilion, along with many more...that produce sounds above the TX Penal Code. We all like going to concerts or sporting events occasionally, enjoy our power/fuel and trains run all across Montgomery County, so how do the citizens and buisness work together?<br /><br />I like how the article explains that a conversation is 60-70 decibels at 3-5 feet. That is not far off from the state statute. A barking dog, which wakes most of us at night is over 86 decibels. A train running down the track without the whistle is humming at 90 plus decibels. What about the new exhaust on our teenagers trucks? Just a few things to think about. <br /><br />Would a curfew for buisness and residential gatherings work? What about noise variences for certain events? How do we all coincide with one another in a peaceful manner without lawsuits, or citations? "Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8479159924975091593.post-14615443894482348802009-06-17T20:35:41.482-05:002009-06-17T20:35:41.482-05:00I too live in Bennette Estates. These trucks have ...I too live in Bennette Estates. These trucks have increased over the last two years. These trucks do not obey speed limits....I have seen these semis go faster than 50 mph down Calhoun Rd (speed limit is 30). I can tell you that our corrupt commissioner Ed Rinehart owns the trucking company. Conflict of interest? Rinehart even had a county attorney send me a letter not to gather petitions to stop these trucks....conflict of interest. Seems Rinehart only attends to his business needs. There is no reason for these trucks to be in any neighborhood at 3am. When parents are taking their children to school, Calhoun Rd gets so backed up with semis, it is almost impossible to get out onto FM1314. These trucks are a safety hazard to all residence in Bennette Estates. I have called the sheriff's office due to accidents, some trucks don't stop at the stop sign on East Drive and end up rolling the semi going around the corner and losing their load on the street. I think the only way to control them is to set up a homeowners association, and make the public roads private. We could make them pay a toll for the roads for upkeep. "Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8479159924975091593.post-56260202661466788242009-06-17T09:40:34.784-05:002009-06-17T09:40:34.784-05:00Loud outside speakers, dirt bike tracks in back ya...Loud outside speakers, dirt bike tracks in back yards and garage bands are some of the behaviors we have encountered in what we thought was a quiet neighborhood. At one point, we approached an HOA board member about all the noise as it appeared to be against the deed restrictions. After all, we relied on those deed restrictions when we chose to move into this neighborhood. We were instead attacked as having "noise issues".<br /><br />It appears that the number of people who no longer have respect for others is growing at an exponential rate. It's just a matter of time, before those who enjoy peace and quiet will be in a minority. I would encourage everyone to write each and every elected official about this problem before it is too late.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com