loud noise from bar and loud drunks hanging outside (Temecula: lawyer, buying a home)

[Alton and Dotty]

I need some very specific information about where to go for legal enforcement of noise violation and disturbing the peace.

But first here is our situation:

The bar and grill across from our house has become out of control, loud music till 1 and later sometimes, and then drunk people hanging out side till all hours playing music and laughing, then taking off in loud trucks, bikes and cars, honking horns and yelling.

4 years ago I went over to ask them to be quieter and the patrons surrounded me and said I should move if I don't like it. Many of these people are in fact are our neighbors and we live in a remote village. I have to see them everyday.

2 years ago we found a noise complaint site and spoke with someone who sent me forms to distribute to the neighbors to make a log of the noise made over a month period. The only other neighbors that are affected by the bar are too old to put up a fight. During the day and early evening this place is a neighborhood favorite hangout serving food. So we are looked at as the jerks who hate the bar.We couldn't move even if we wanted to since we are now so upside down on the mortgage. We feel trapped and socially isolated by the community.

So what can we do?

We are so remote that police (who are the only ones who will respond after hours) take and hour to arrive. They quiet them but within a few days the bar is back to being loud. Police seem to be the wrong way. The sheriff's office is closed after hours.

I have sought info on the Alcohol Bureau site but see nothing there that applies. Do I hire a lawyer? And is there some way I can make this less personal since I risk being further shunned by the neighbors?

We hate always having to play music to cover up the sounds, stay inside with windows closed and not use my patio and wear ear plugs to go to sleep.

We need concrete advice. We are not open to a dialog with them at this point.

Thanks,

A and D

[bouncethelight]

Originally Posted by Alton and Dotty

And is there some way I can make this less personal since I risk being further shunned by the neighbors?

I doubt it! If you're the only ones being affected, since your neighbors are too elderly to care? And if it's a town so small that everyone knows it's you that is complaining? And if it's the only place to have fun in town - and everyone else loves the place? Then I don't know how you can avoid being shunned by your neighbors.

Have you tried double-paned windows? Extra insulation in the walls facing the bar? Planting a row of dense trees and bushes between you and the bar? A white noise machine?

[ferretkona]

I would start writing the city mayor and city councilmen.
Businesses have to have permits for live music played, often the business has to have a minimum of 100 yards to residential areas.
I would imagine that this bar has been there longer than you have lived in this home. You must have been aware you were buying a home across the street from a bar.

[redfarm]

You live next to a commercial zoned area you are out of luck. It is like saying I didn't know the freeway was noisy. The worst that would happen is they get fined for a sound violation. If noise was not disclosed on your home purchase you may be able to sue but I doubt it.

[Samoi137]

Writing to elected officials, especially a local councilperson, is one step. Also contacting the police, zoning department and, if necessary, a lawyer (on your own, since apparently the neighbors don't want to get involved, arguing that the business is a public nuisance and, IF it's true, is in violation of local ordinances). I believe even a business with the proper zoning permit must abide by specific laws regarding hours of business, noise, etc. Just what are the local noise ordinances? A lawyer could advise regarding the possibility of a civil suit, but it could get expensive. Make your complaints straight forward and factual, and emphasize the most important things. People hanging out and laughing is less clear cut than, for instance, noise over a certain decibel level at a specific time (detail what days, what hours, etc.). It could take a long time.

[agnt.starling]

to the OP, may I ask where (doesn't have to be exact) or what city? I/we sorta seeing a trend w/that where we live too, a tiny town & a tiny bar, but sometimes it does get loud and looking as this as reference for the time (if it happens to get beyond out of control) as far as how to handle. Thanks kindly.

[Twinkle Toes]

Did you know the bar was there when you decided to buy the house?

[TBCasino]

Originally Posted by agnt.starling

to the OP, may I ask where (doesn't have to be exact) or what city?

I was wondering this myself.

[Fontucky]

"we live in a remote village"

S.O.L.

[bouncethelight]

When I read the original post, my first thought was Aguanga - there's a roadhouse on the main highway that's been there forever, and it's truly out in the middle of nowhere. When I was evacuating from a fire once in Temecula, I stopped there since they also have a little store attached, and was surprised at the amount of activity for such a small town bar!

But even if it's not Aguanga, I'm sure there are similar places in other parts of the Inland Empire.