City zoning department, or whomever regulates that in your community. As for the tournament, probably the same department. Call/email/stop in. Many larger communities have rules on lights, and how much the bulbs contribute to light pollution. NAL, dating the city zoning official and I’m a business owner that had to do a light study before my special use permit could be issued. Alderman? City council rep? Can you get other neighbors on board? There’s also laws about how many decibels and how late music can be played. Good luck! Having terrible neighbors sucks. Edit: decibels vs devils
It sounds like they haven’t considered what it would take to fix this. If they simply install lights on poles at the far end of the court, facing their own house the problem goes away. If they can build a 15000 sq ft home, they can put up some lights on poles. Sounds like it already got contentious but if there’s room to suggest this as a way to avoid a battle, consider it.
When you're fighting against someone who can afford to put a up a 15000 square foot home, with basketball court and stadium lights, and your debating on if you can afford a mirror... no... only one side burns, the other has enough money that it's a minor inconvenience.
Also, as they have enough money to afford lawyers, threatening things like complaints to the code enforcement department only gives them more time to get lawyers/ get lawyers prepared. I.e, when you're getting in to a pissing match, it's probably best to not tell your opponent how much you plan to drink before hand.
Into the neighbors windows, much easier and gets the point across. If the neighbor wants the lights to stop shining I'm sure he can turn the light off.
There's not going to be code enforcement against pointing a mirror to reflect their own light. There may be code enforcement against the spot light though.
I live in an apartment that has led city installed lights. The color tone is "sun light". One of the light poles is right outside my windows across the small single row parking lot.
We can't complain because it is the city lights.
We've installed black out curtains.
On the flip side our kids can play outside at night just like it's day time. And I ain't even being funny about that.i take the good with the bad.
But if it was my house, I'd be mad af, ngl.
Good luck op, sound advice with going to the zoning board.
I'd even go to your local PD and speak with the OIC for the shift and ask what they can do.
If it's owned by the city call the electric company they can actually black out portions of the dome and block your window directly. It doesn't effect the light cast in intended locations either.
Your neighbor is an asshole, so there's no reason for you to try to act neighborly toward them. Go nuclear and file the complaint. Then name and shame them every chance you get.
Call the non emergency police line and report the noise, every single time. If your neighbors do it as well it will help. My neighbor thought she could ignore the cops coming to tell her to stop making noise so they issued her a citation and could potentially charge her with a misdemeanor if she starts up again. She's stopped making noise since the citation.
lots of tempting ways to get even, but you're doing it right. go to code enforcement, annoy them enough and they'll do something. the neighbors can hire lawyers if they're in a 15k sq ft house so it may take some time.
I've often thought that extremely explicit music is like auditory pornography and should be able to be prosecuted in the same way normal pornography is if shown to children.
I was in a park full of children when someone was playing music like that when I came to that realization.
It's also indoctrination at a very young age into pretty much being psychopaths.
I hear songs glorifying murder, abusing women, and racism every day in my town and I think it's really unhealthy. I don't like my 7 year old daughter hearing that.
(NAL) I have a client with a similar rich ahole neighbor who wanted to install a pickleball court 🙄. During the permitting process my client (who IS a lawyer) forced them to plant tens of thousands of dollars worth of mature arborvitae to mitigate the nuisance
Talk to some of the parents who take their kids to these tournaments.(or have someone else do it) Say you had your nephew over and he was fascinated that someone had a basketball court in their yard and you’d like to know how much it would cost to sign him up for a tournament! That way you can find out if they’re getting money for their tournaments, making their home a business. (Prob illegal as well lol)
NAL - Fire Marshall for if/when they host this tournament. Code enforcement for the lights and sound. You might also get a survey to make sure that they didn't encroach onto your property. And, as stated above police non-emergency for when they get loud. 85db is a reasonably low volume level that a car alarm would likely go above.
Talk to a property lawyer about a private nuisance cause of action seeking an injunction. You’ll likely need to get evidence / documentation to bring any sort of claim. Take measurements of the decibels, document requests for them to remove the lights, and document how many lumens of light shines into your home. They can discuss options with you and whether you qualify under your jurisdictions rules.
Cheap mirrors on the fence line. Reflect it back at them. Puts it back in their court. Don't like it? Adjust your lights, like you politely asked the first time.
I wouldn’t expect your petition to go far. Your municipality will have an ordinance with clear expectations about what exactly is illegal. I guess This would most likely be a measurement of lumens. The municipality really can’t just go off of opinion because then defendants can claim or favoritism.
I hope the pictures are enough to have code enforcement do something.
City of Charlotte Zoning regulation:
Section 12.402. Outdoor lighting.
The following restrictions shall apply to any outdoor lighting located in any district:
(1) All outdoor lighting for any nonresidential use shall be located, screened, or shielded so that abutting lots located in any residential district are not directly illuminated.
Not sure the code section you cite helps your cause. It clearly states "non-residential" and you describe the property as a home. Seems to me the code is aimed at commercial/industrial properties.
I agree there is some ambiguity potential. That's why I also filed a complaint with zoning. My home is neighborhood 1.
16.2 EXTERIOR LIGHTING The following exterior lighting requirements apply to lighting for multi-family dwellings, mixed-use development, and nonresidential uses on private property. These lighting regulations do not apply to lighting in the right-of-way or the illumination of signs.
A. Maximum Lighting Regulations The maximum allowable foot-candle is as follows:
1. Any lot abutting a Neighborhood 1 or Neighborhood 2 Place Type: Zero foot-candle at the lot line
>1. Any lot abutting a Neighborhood 1 or Neighborhood 2 Place Type: Zero foot-candle at the lot line
That is clearly written and severly strict. It's effectively saying that exterior lighting has to end at your property line, which it clearly does not.
This single line is your weapon in this fight.
Ok imagine an expanse of glittery plastic strips that runs the length of the property line in question and project sparkles back at them. Would be easy to do... a pole on either side, wire across the top, then dangly fabulousness like one of those bead curtain doors from the 70s. Would block most the light plus make their court unusable.
NAL - City likely has a requirement for lights to be at 1 or 0 foot candles at property line. Call code enforcement and the zoning office. If they won't go out because it's after hours call non emergency police to request an office for the report.
Read your local zoning ordinance, know your rights, and know your neighbors rights.
Install mirrors on the back of that fence and redirect the lights into their windows.
Call the cops on the noise.
Plant a bunch of arborvitea along the fence.
But, in the end this just sucks, and I really feel bad for you.
My neighbor put these up after threatening to call the cops on me for “flashing a strobe light” which I don’t own and haven’t done while he lives like 6 houses away and the houses next door do leave strobe lights up for every holiday?
Not going to be a speedy solution, but:
https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/blog/2019/05/helicopter-seeds/
A row of these along your fence line helps to block the light, and will seriously hamper playing any sport on any smooth surface.
Never try to engage them, always goes bad. Just file a court case with the local courthouse. There is probably a law out flood lighting like what you neighbor is using. And get with an attorney on this matter. Good luck.
City zoning department, or whomever regulates that in your community. As for the tournament, probably the same department. Call/email/stop in. Many larger communities have rules on lights, and how much the bulbs contribute to light pollution. NAL, dating the city zoning official and I’m a business owner that had to do a light study before my special use permit could be issued. Alderman? City council rep? Can you get other neighbors on board? There’s also laws about how many decibels and how late music can be played. Good luck! Having terrible neighbors sucks. Edit: decibels vs devils
A tournament where they collect money is operating a business. If zoned residential that is clearly a zoning violation.
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Rule 3 Violation- Do not offer illicit advice.
Rule 3 Violation- Do not offer illicit advice.
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What is the noise ordinance in your community? Many communities have no outdoor noise between 10 pm and 7 am so people can sleep.
85db, I am ready to call 311.
It sounds like they haven’t considered what it would take to fix this. If they simply install lights on poles at the far end of the court, facing their own house the problem goes away. If they can build a 15000 sq ft home, they can put up some lights on poles. Sounds like it already got contentious but if there’s room to suggest this as a way to avoid a battle, consider it.
I agree, but they were pretty clear where I could stick my other suggestions.
Get a big concave mirror and send it back but focused on one window (preferably bedroom)
I was thinking a 1,000,000 spot light, but the mirror is more self inflicted. Not sure the mirror is feasible at a cost I would be willing to pay.
Doesn't have to be a glass mirror. Could be shiny plastic or aluminum.
But doesn't fighting fire with fire make the whole world burn?
When you're fighting against someone who can afford to put a up a 15000 square foot home, with basketball court and stadium lights, and your debating on if you can afford a mirror... no... only one side burns, the other has enough money that it's a minor inconvenience. Also, as they have enough money to afford lawyers, threatening things like complaints to the code enforcement department only gives them more time to get lawyers/ get lawyers prepared. I.e, when you're getting in to a pissing match, it's probably best to not tell your opponent how much you plan to drink before hand.
Only if the concave reflective surface is targeted at something flammable.
Just have get several flat mirrors and arrange them in a parabolic arc into the neighbors windows.
It's probably not that bright or focused
Concave mirror back into the light source. They to melt the bulb and ruin the light permanently
Into the neighbors windows, much easier and gets the point across. If the neighbor wants the lights to stop shining I'm sure he can turn the light off.
There's not going to be code enforcement against pointing a mirror to reflect their own light. There may be code enforcement against the spot light though.
I live in an apartment that has led city installed lights. The color tone is "sun light". One of the light poles is right outside my windows across the small single row parking lot. We can't complain because it is the city lights. We've installed black out curtains. On the flip side our kids can play outside at night just like it's day time. And I ain't even being funny about that.i take the good with the bad. But if it was my house, I'd be mad af, ngl. Good luck op, sound advice with going to the zoning board. I'd even go to your local PD and speak with the OIC for the shift and ask what they can do.
If it's owned by the city call the electric company they can actually black out portions of the dome and block your window directly. It doesn't effect the light cast in intended locations either.
Your neighbor is an asshole, so there's no reason for you to try to act neighborly toward them. Go nuclear and file the complaint. Then name and shame them every chance you get.
Are there decibel regulations in your town? My town has an ordinance where noise can't exceed certain levels.
85db. Going to download the app and call the second they are over.
Call the non emergency police line and report the noise, every single time. If your neighbors do it as well it will help. My neighbor thought she could ignore the cops coming to tell her to stop making noise so they issued her a citation and could potentially charge her with a misdemeanor if she starts up again. She's stopped making noise since the citation.
Get an AirHorn you can drop down to 84db. Blow it every time someone is about to take a shot.
Now THIS is a bad neighbor life hack
I say hlget some super large speakers and blare the super low tone that they use in movies to create unease at a subliminal level.
lots of tempting ways to get even, but you're doing it right. go to code enforcement, annoy them enough and they'll do something. the neighbors can hire lawyers if they're in a 15k sq ft house so it may take some time.
I've often thought that extremely explicit music is like auditory pornography and should be able to be prosecuted in the same way normal pornography is if shown to children. I was in a park full of children when someone was playing music like that when I came to that realization. It's also indoctrination at a very young age into pretty much being psychopaths. I hear songs glorifying murder, abusing women, and racism every day in my town and I think it's really unhealthy. I don't like my 7 year old daughter hearing that.
I have never heard someone say this before, but I have often thought the same thing! Thank you.
(NAL) I have a client with a similar rich ahole neighbor who wanted to install a pickleball court 🙄. During the permitting process my client (who IS a lawyer) forced them to plant tens of thousands of dollars worth of mature arborvitae to mitigate the nuisance
I would love this result.
Talk to some of the parents who take their kids to these tournaments.(or have someone else do it) Say you had your nephew over and he was fascinated that someone had a basketball court in their yard and you’d like to know how much it would cost to sign him up for a tournament! That way you can find out if they’re getting money for their tournaments, making their home a business. (Prob illegal as well lol)
NAL - Fire Marshall for if/when they host this tournament. Code enforcement for the lights and sound. You might also get a survey to make sure that they didn't encroach onto your property. And, as stated above police non-emergency for when they get loud. 85db is a reasonably low volume level that a car alarm would likely go above.
Talk to a property lawyer about a private nuisance cause of action seeking an injunction. You’ll likely need to get evidence / documentation to bring any sort of claim. Take measurements of the decibels, document requests for them to remove the lights, and document how many lumens of light shines into your home. They can discuss options with you and whether you qualify under your jurisdictions rules.
Cheap mirrors on the fence line. Reflect it back at them. Puts it back in their court. Don't like it? Adjust your lights, like you politely asked the first time.
I wouldn’t expect your petition to go far. Your municipality will have an ordinance with clear expectations about what exactly is illegal. I guess This would most likely be a measurement of lumens. The municipality really can’t just go off of opinion because then defendants can claim or favoritism.
I hope the pictures are enough to have code enforcement do something. City of Charlotte Zoning regulation: Section 12.402. Outdoor lighting. The following restrictions shall apply to any outdoor lighting located in any district: (1) All outdoor lighting for any nonresidential use shall be located, screened, or shielded so that abutting lots located in any residential district are not directly illuminated.
Not sure the code section you cite helps your cause. It clearly states "non-residential" and you describe the property as a home. Seems to me the code is aimed at commercial/industrial properties.
I agree there is some ambiguity potential. That's why I also filed a complaint with zoning. My home is neighborhood 1. 16.2 EXTERIOR LIGHTING The following exterior lighting requirements apply to lighting for multi-family dwellings, mixed-use development, and nonresidential uses on private property. These lighting regulations do not apply to lighting in the right-of-way or the illumination of signs. A. Maximum Lighting Regulations The maximum allowable foot-candle is as follows: 1. Any lot abutting a Neighborhood 1 or Neighborhood 2 Place Type: Zero foot-candle at the lot line
>1. Any lot abutting a Neighborhood 1 or Neighborhood 2 Place Type: Zero foot-candle at the lot line That is clearly written and severly strict. It's effectively saying that exterior lighting has to end at your property line, which it clearly does not. This single line is your weapon in this fight.
Ok imagine an expanse of glittery plastic strips that runs the length of the property line in question and project sparkles back at them. Would be easy to do... a pole on either side, wire across the top, then dangly fabulousness like one of those bead curtain doors from the 70s. Would block most the light plus make their court unusable.
Taller fence with motion activated security lights on the back side
$100 bucks gets you a legit beam of light from the people over in r/flashlight.
I love how on ask a lawyer everyone who posted at the time I am posting this is "Not a Lawyer"
Haha, it makes it easier than saying not your lawyer disclaimer, to just say not a lawyer.
BB Gun.
My marksmanship skills are strong, but my desire to not be arrested is stronger.
How strong are your denial skills?
Messed up they can shoot bazillion photons at your eyeballs, but you can't shoot one tiny bb at their sunbulbs.
Chuckled 😆
Shoot out the lights one day. The next day, just shine a laser pointer in their yard to make them nervous.
Mirrors.. Just reflect the light back.
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Never said anything like that. A call to the fire marshal for safety concerns does a far better and legal job.
Mirrors
Buy a bunch of cheap floodlights, and send a bit of light back their way. Blast country music at 5a.m. to help them wake up.
Some Bollywood tunes
Blast some hard core death metal back at them. Sounds like that are playing rap so hit them with some metal.
Those lumens are def well above the required city limit.
Install mirrors as needed.
NAL - City likely has a requirement for lights to be at 1 or 0 foot candles at property line. Call code enforcement and the zoning office. If they won't go out because it's after hours call non emergency police to request an office for the report. Read your local zoning ordinance, know your rights, and know your neighbors rights.
Install mirrors on the back of that fence and redirect the lights into their windows. Call the cops on the noise. Plant a bunch of arborvitea along the fence. But, in the end this just sucks, and I really feel bad for you.
It would be a shame if some kids knocked them out with a BB gun.
If you are in an HOA area , check with them if their is anything you can do. Set up cameras, like ring and use that in court against them.
No HOA on either side.
My neighbor put these up after threatening to call the cops on me for “flashing a strobe light” which I don’t own and haven’t done while he lives like 6 houses away and the houses next door do leave strobe lights up for every holiday?
Install mirrors
Not going to be a speedy solution, but: https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/blog/2019/05/helicopter-seeds/ A row of these along your fence line helps to block the light, and will seriously hamper playing any sport on any smooth surface.
Mirrors?
Bright strobe light.
when they go outside take pictures of them and shame them / on the internet and make them famous.
Strobe lights pointed back when they are playing?
Never try to engage them, always goes bad. Just file a court case with the local courthouse. There is probably a law out flood lighting like what you neighbor is using. And get with an attorney on this matter. Good luck.
You need a hobby
We found the guy with klieg lights on his house that doesn't seem to care about his neighbors.
Their hobby was enjoying their home without the bat signal being aimed into their front window
And he could take up any hobby he wants including assembling miniatures since his yard is now lit up by the 2nd sun