For example, you might say “I’ve noticed a lot of traffic coming in and out of your house. This worries me because my children play in the yard and I’m concerned for their safety. " If noise is the issue, you might say “I would appreciate it if you could find some way to minimize the sounds coming from your home. They often keep us up at night when we have to be at work in the morning. " Avoid threatening your neighbor or insulting them personally. Focus on finding a solution to the problem that will allow you all to live peacefully in the neighborhood. If you don’t feel comfortable approaching them face-to-face, write a letter discussing your concerns and invite them to help find a solution.
To find the zoning codes in effect for your neighborhood, visit a city planning or similar city government office. You may be able to find the information you need on the city government website. In many towns and cities, the town or city council is in charge of zoning. If you live in a more rural area, you may need to speak with a county or similar regional government official. Typically, zoning is less stringent in rural areas that are less densely populated.
Typically, you can use an online directory to look up your neighbor or their business and see if they’re properly registered and have the licenses or permits they need to conduct business. If they don’t have the right licenses or permits to run their business, report them to the licensing authority. However, keep in mind that doing this typically won’t get rid of the problem. Your neighbor can simply pay a fine and get their license, then continue as they were.
HOAs and co-op boards tend to be much more restrictive about operating businesses on your property than landlords are. In some of these communities, you can’t operate a business out of your home at all, even if you don’t see any clients there or cause any neighborhood disturbances. Even if there’s nothing in the agreement that prohibits operating a business, there are likely provisions that prohibit certain types of disturbances, such as excessive traffic or noise. You may be able to get your neighbor for violation of the agreement this way, regardless of whether they’re technically allowed to run a business from home or not.
For example, if your neighbor has clients coming in and out of the home who are taking up parking spaces or spilling out into the road, you might take photos of all the cars around the home. If your problem is noise, make audio recordings to document the problem.
If your neighbor is in violation of a lease or other residential agreement, point out the clauses that they are violating. Usually, the property manager will take care of the situation. Put your complaints in writing so that you have a record of having made the report. Follow up within a couple of weeks if the disturbances don’t end to find out what has been done. If other members of your community are disturbed by the business, encourage them to report the problem to the property manager as well.
Provide the evidence you have of your neighbor’s disturbances or code violations. If you know the ordinances being violated, cite them specifically in your complaint. Keep records of your complaint and follow up within a couple of weeks to find out what actions were taken.
When talking to a city council member or submitting a written report, focus more on the harm that’s being done to the community as a whole by the business’s presence, rather than how it may be inconveniencing you personally. Particularly if the members of your city council are elected officials, they may be more responsive to your complaints than other local government workers.
For example, if clients coming in and out of your neighbor’s home are causing traffic congestion in your neighborhood, you might have local police come out and issue a warning. If your neighbor’s business is excessively noisy at night, the local police will come out to investigate the noise disturbance and issue a warning. Provided it’s warranted, calling the police might have a greater effect than some other means of reporting because having the police come out is generally not good for business.
Most attorneys provide a free initial consultation. You can use this meeting to explain your situation and go over various possible solutions. Typically, an attorney’s first action will be to send a sternly worded cease and desist letter to your neighbor. This letter lays out the disturbance they’re causing to you and the neighborhood in clear terms and asks them to find a solution by a certain date.
If your community or neighborhood has hashtags, use those to draw attention to your posts from other community members you may not be connected to. Tag your neighbor’s business if they have business accounts on social media. That will also get their attention and bring them into the discussion.
If you live in a co-op or planned community with a home owner’s association, raise your concerns at the next co-op board or HOA meeting. Bring any photos or videos to share and help illustrate the problem.
