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Considering that multiple complaints from multiple neighbors couldn't stop one guy from blasting music, I think current laws (at least in SF) err too much on th
by ggreer 11y ago
Considering that multiple complaints from multiple neighbors couldn't stop one guy from blasting music, I think current laws (at least in SF) err too much on the side of non-punishment.
> I'd rather make it illegal to build paper-thin walls.
Let's say you manage to pass a law forcing all new construction to have excellent soundproofing. That won't fix the problem for a century. Buildings last a really long time. Heck, tons of old buildings still have asbestos or lead paint. I seriously doubt their soundproofing is going to be fixed before those. Punishing noisy people is the only solution that works with our existing infrastructure.
- nitrogen 11y agoIf sound isolation became a feature that people wanted, with the initial push provided by building codes, then apartments could compete on isolation and both noisy and noise-sensitive individuals would move there. Then landlords would start providing more isolation to attract tenants. Of course, that's moot if supply is artificially restricted to the point where renters have no choice where to live, but not all cities have that problem.