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Austin is a noisy city – thousands of Austin noise complaint tickets are opened each year. Austin 311 handles around 30 such requests each day, which are updated in real time on their website. Whether you’re in a zoom meeting or trying to get some sleep, you deserve peace and quiet on your property.
City of Austin Noise Complaint Online
Calling 311 for a noise complaint in Austin is the fastest way to get in touch with someone about a non-emergency situation. They are available all day, every day – even in the middle of the night. If you’d rather submit a complaint online, however, you may do so using the Austin 311 web portal. You can also email them, or if you expect to submit service requests often, there’s even a mobile app.
What Happens When you Call 311?
311 doesn’t actually handle complaints themselves – rather, they are a knowledge resource that can route the complaint to the appropriate department. Calling 311 for a noise complaint in Austin typically means your complaint will be routed to the APD as a non-emergency service request, who will investigate the complaint and intervene if it is deemed a public nuisance.
The State of Texas defines a public nuisance as something that affects multiple people, especially in a public space – like a bar playing music at a time or volume that violates Austin’s noise ordinance laws, or a neighbor’s dog barking all day.
For a disturbance outside the city limits, or one that is determined to be a private nuisance, you’ll need to take the offending party to small claims court. If you end up going down that road, you might like to know that Texas has the second highest dollar limit for small claims court in the United States. Police officers may occasionally contact residents on your behalf – but otherwise, you are expected to resolve the matter.
Stop the Noise Yourself
For some disturbances, soundproofing your living space can go a long way – especially if the law determines that your noise complaint isn’t valid. Windows let in a lot of noise, even when they’re closed. Soundproof window inserts from Sun and Sound Windows can block up to 95% of that noise.
The benefits of a quiet home extend beyond just dealing with your noisy neighbor. Consider the distracting hum of traffic, barking dogs, loud music, lawnmowers – all of these and more can be considered totally acceptable by the City of Austin and still prevent you from enjoying peace and quiet in your home.
We custom-make each acoustic window insert locally and complete most installations in less than a day. You have the power to reclaim your space – and we are here to help. Get a zero obligation free estimate by submitting our online form today.
What do you do when a neighbor allows someone to park their truck (which is made into a travel trailer) on your street, and they park it in front of your house, and they leave their dog alone, inside it, while they go out and party late at night, and their dog barks for 4 hours keeping you awake? And when you ask the neighbor about it they say the dog has separation anxiety. Aside from the fact that it’s incredibly rude, inconsiderate, and irresponsible: 1. Is it okay for the neighbor’s friend to leave the dog alone in the truck at night (or any time) while they are gone? 2. Can someone live in a truck (or any vehicle) on your street, or in front of your house, in a residential neighborhood? 3. Is the barking late at night, for 4 hours, a violation of the City’s noise ordinance? 4. Does anyone have a right to park their vehicle on the street in front on your house without your permission? 5. Is there anything that can be done for the poor dog? 6. Are there any remedies? Legal answers would be most helpful, but any suggestions are appreciated!!
Sorry to hear about your situation. We can’t provide legal advice, but it sounds like you have good cause to call 311 for a noise complaint. You may be interested to know how the state of Texas defines a nuisance: [Link]. You should also take a look at our page on barking dogs if you’re considering soundproofing your windows.