What to do: Noisy party post-10pm

It looked like the dream residence at the ideal spot in Dubai, but no sooner than Daniel Staempfli moved into his apartment on The Palm that he found out he wasn't the only one enjoying the unique location; down the road was the premise of a popular club.

The music and noise of the partying crowd enter his space every weekend.

“Like many others, I am suffering every weekend from extremely loud electro music coming from more than 2.5km away. It is so loud and boring that it is impossible to sit outside on the balcony,” he said.

It does not have to be a club that is keeping you awake. A noisy neighbour can be just as disturbing, several residents in Dubai say.

On an online forum for residents in the emirate, many claim to find noise nuisance any later than 10pm to be a disturbance.

“My neighbours had a party on a weekday the other day, and it went on way beyond 11pm. It turned out that the parents were away,” said a mother living in Dubai, while another resident described a pool party taking place in a neighbouring villa, with screaming teenagers under her window.

“It stopped at 11 only because we had complained, but that was too late for a weekday,” she described.

What the law says

The good news is that when you experience noise nuisance the law is on your side, as the laws regarding entertainment noise are strict in the UAE.

"Noise from any form of entertainment such as discotheques, clubs or similar open-air event such as music concerts or sports must comply with the Article 75, of the Local Order No. 61/91," states Dubai Municipality.

According to this law, the permitted noise level depends on the area as well as the time of the day, specifying time slots of 7am to 8pm and 8pm to 7am.

In residential areas with light traffic, the permitted noise level during the day is 40-50dbA, while it is 30-40 dbA during the night.

In Downtown Dubai, the rules are slightly different. In the residential area, a noise level of 45-55 dbA is allowed during the day, while it is 35-45 dbA at night.

Commercial areas in Downtown may be a little louder, with a permitted level of 55-65 dbA during the day and 45-55 dbA at night.

If these figures do not mean much to you, there is an easier formula to apply, as the laws stipulates:

“Premises where entertainment takes place on a regular basis with music and associated noise sources including instruments or amplified voices should not be audible inside any sensitive property at any time between 10pm to 6am.”

Entertainment premises should have a log book for keeping a record of any noise complaints, actions, responses and noise survey results. It will prove useful to file an official complaint that can be used as a reference when authorities come to inspect the issue.

Other than the noise of music, nightclubs and discotheques in residential neighbourhoods, public nuisance such as adverse impact of after-midnight crowds, noise and traffic are also addressed.

When is a private party too loud?

There are rules for a private party, too, as any gathering held outdoor is not allowed to cause disturbance after 10pm on any day in the week.

Thus, noise disturbance after 10pm can be addressed.

However, authorities advise that a friendly conversation often goes a long way in preventing disturbance on the receiving end.

Similarly, the person throwing the party is advised to keep residents informed when a party is held.

“Maintaining public relation and open communications with residents can prevent noise complaints. If an indoor or outdoor event is planned, a letter to local residents advising them of the event, its finishing time, and contact details can be helpful,” said Dubai Municipality.

If a friendly word has not helped to stop the party, police may be contacted.

(Image via Shutterstock)

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