What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? California
Hello, I need some advice please!
Lets start from the beginning... I work for a motorsports company, so I have a sponsored vehicle I drive that has an aftermarket exhaust on it. It is a couple decibels louder than the legal limit (95dB).
I moved into a townhouse community as a renter August 2009. I try my best to drive slowly in the neighborhood, so I dont cause too much disturbance to my neighbors. I mean, we have speedbumps in here anyways; so with a modded car, I probably drive the slowest out of anyone in this community!
In February, I had a neighbor approach me in my garage. He said his wife was stuck in bed with a broken ankle and that when I warmed up the car in the mornings, I would wake her. He asked if I could go down the street to warm up in the mornings. Of course I said yes, this was a reasonable request! I apologized if I had caused him any disturbance and said if he needed anything else, that if me warming up down the street wasnt good enough, to please let me know and I could pick up a silencer for it.
After 2 weeks of giving up warm-ups on my car in the mornings, I was driving up to my house and see him stand outside his door, just staring me down. I really didnt get it, and uh...still dont? One week after that, I receive a letter from HOA. All it states is that a neighbor has complained about noise nuisance and that I need to install a quieter muffler immediately.
Our HOA doesnt specify too much into Noise Nuisance. We do have the average 'Quiet Hours' though. I wrote the HOA and said that I would like to get this issue resolved, to please let me know what they wanted me to do specifically. I mean, if they want me to swap mufflers, I would like to know if they want me at a specific dB or if I can just avoid driving during quiet hours (which I do anyways).
My HOA never responded to me, and finally NOW in April - they sent a letter to the homeowner. They request the homeowner resolve this issue or they would request a hearing and then fine the owner.
Thanks for reading up to this point lol... Now my questions are:
If HOA doesnt specify a specific dB in their rulebook, wouldnt I just need to avoid driving during 'quiet hours'?
I asked the HOA what they exactly wanted from me, yet they have not responded to me and instead sent a letter to the homeowner saying they received a response from me, but need the homeowner to have me swap mufflers. WTF? How can they demand something without giving us details on what they want, and just threaten the homeowner with fines if they dont get me to change mufflers?
The car is driven 3-4 times a week and during the afternoon/early evening. Another thing is that there are a couple other cars with aftermarket exhausts in our community, they dont speed down for speedbumps and do that thing where you rev your car before shutting it off - what if my neighbors are confusing me with them?
Hello, I need some advice please!
Lets start from the beginning... I work for a motorsports company, so I have a sponsored vehicle I drive that has an aftermarket exhaust on it. It is a couple decibels louder than the legal limit (95dB).
I moved into a townhouse community as a renter August 2009. I try my best to drive slowly in the neighborhood, so I dont cause too much disturbance to my neighbors. I mean, we have speedbumps in here anyways; so with a modded car, I probably drive the slowest out of anyone in this community!
In February, I had a neighbor approach me in my garage. He said his wife was stuck in bed with a broken ankle and that when I warmed up the car in the mornings, I would wake her. He asked if I could go down the street to warm up in the mornings. Of course I said yes, this was a reasonable request! I apologized if I had caused him any disturbance and said if he needed anything else, that if me warming up down the street wasnt good enough, to please let me know and I could pick up a silencer for it.
After 2 weeks of giving up warm-ups on my car in the mornings, I was driving up to my house and see him stand outside his door, just staring me down. I really didnt get it, and uh...still dont? One week after that, I receive a letter from HOA. All it states is that a neighbor has complained about noise nuisance and that I need to install a quieter muffler immediately.
Our HOA doesnt specify too much into Noise Nuisance. We do have the average 'Quiet Hours' though. I wrote the HOA and said that I would like to get this issue resolved, to please let me know what they wanted me to do specifically. I mean, if they want me to swap mufflers, I would like to know if they want me at a specific dB or if I can just avoid driving during quiet hours (which I do anyways).
My HOA never responded to me, and finally NOW in April - they sent a letter to the homeowner. They request the homeowner resolve this issue or they would request a hearing and then fine the owner.
Thanks for reading up to this point lol... Now my questions are:
If HOA doesnt specify a specific dB in their rulebook, wouldnt I just need to avoid driving during 'quiet hours'?
I asked the HOA what they exactly wanted from me, yet they have not responded to me and instead sent a letter to the homeowner saying they received a response from me, but need the homeowner to have me swap mufflers. WTF? How can they demand something without giving us details on what they want, and just threaten the homeowner with fines if they dont get me to change mufflers?
The car is driven 3-4 times a week and during the afternoon/early evening. Another thing is that there are a couple other cars with aftermarket exhausts in our community, they dont speed down for speedbumps and do that thing where you rev your car before shutting it off - what if my neighbors are confusing me with them?
