Our next door neighbour makes wooden sculptures with a chainsaw. The noise is so loud that we cannot hold a conversation in the garden, and inside the house with all the doors and windows shut the noise is still very intrusive. Last Saturday he worked for 4 hours solid. Today he is doing it again - we just went to ask how long it was going to go on for and to explain, very politely, that the noise is very intrusive. His response was that the saw produces 80 decibels, which is 'not loud'. As he wears headphones, I guess this does not sound loud to him. As he is unwilling to stop, I am not sure if there is anything else I can do. In the UK the local authority would intervene - anyone know if it is worth approaching my Gemeinde?

I wouldn't want to get on the wrong side of a chap with a chainsaw...

If it's happening on a regular basis I think you should at least talk with your Gemeinde or maybe even the police directly and ask exactly what the local laws are concerning such noises.

Yes, by all means approach the Gemeinde - if you can't hold a conversation then the noise level is too high. Your local Gemeinde will inform you of the correct laws/rules regarding noise level and they can contact him directly. I would think too, that he would not be allowed to use a living premises as a place a work without written permission from the landlord and Gemeinde.

Which is more offensive: chainsaw noise or chainsaw art? If he is not displaying his "art" on his front lawn, you should consider yourself lucky. It sounds like he is only doing it on Saturdays as a hobby. As long as it isn't breaking any noise regulations, I don't think there is much you can do. Maybe go for a walk when he starts up? I feel for you regardless.

Of course if this is a daily occurrence, or more than a few hours a week, then I would consider different tactics.

especially if his name is HAT....

Ok I found a some important information covering noise in Canton Zurich.

It's only in German but you can copy the link to Google to translate it.

http://www.laerm.zh.ch/index.html?/f...nav/nav35.html

Scroll down to "Wer ist im Kanton Zürich zuständig" for contact numbers and addresses.

You can also find more info here:

http://www.laerm.ch/de/index_de.html

In some areas, you are not allowed to use your place of residence as a business, particularly one that makes noise. It might be interesting to check the zoning where you live. Is this just his hobby? Sounds to me he should be renting a workshop somewhere.

My sympathies. I guess as others have said the Gemeinde is your best bet at sorting this out in a Swiss-acceptable way.

The guy's response about the 80 decibels is just so annoyingly but I suppose to be expected from one who would cause such a situation in the first place.

I would be tempted to buy a decibel meter, the below CD, and play it in the back yard at precisely 80 decibels, on repeat, again and again until the dunce gets the message. Good luck.

The reply about the decibels is actually irrelevant. What is important is whether the noise is considered an ongoing disturbance. Birds (albeit VERY noisy ones) kept outside have been known to be the object of court orders restricting the times they can be outside because of the noise they create being a disturbance in a residential area, and they don't reach 80 db.

I would certainly consult the Gemeinde.

...or if he's from Texas.