Here are some guidelines excerpted from the City of Chicago`s noise ordinance:
– Between 9 p.m. and 8 a.m., no vehicle can create noise exceeding 55 decibels within a residential area-idling or drag-racing cars, for instance.
– Between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m., no loading of garbage cans, handling of crates or handling of building materials or similar objects are allowed.
– Car alarms that ring for more than four minutes violate the law; owners can be ticketed by police for disturbing the peace.
Complaints about noise should be directed to the City of Chicago`s Department of Consumer Services, 744-9400, or the city`s 24-hour hotline for environmental complaints, 744-4075.
Neighborhood Justice, a Loop-based non-profit group, mediates disputes, including noise problems, between neighbors; call 939-7383.