Harassment by neighbors can take many forms, including yelling obscenities; loud and disruptive noises (especially at night) from parties, fights, or other activities; threatening or abusive behavior; or damage to your home or yard by pets.

If your neighbor’s behavior is merely annoying and not abusive, threatening, or criminal conduct, you may be able to resolve the issue with a courteous discussion. But if your neighbor’s conduct is threatening, abusive, violates a noise ordinance, or is a criminal offense such as stalking, trespassing, or peeping, for example, you may be able to get assistance from the police (call 911 in an emergency) or from the civil courts in the form of a restraining order.

In North Carolina, harassment by neighbors can be addressed through various legal avenues depending on the severity and nature of the conduct. For behaviors that are annoying but not abusive or threatening, such as occasional loud noises or minor disturbances, a direct conversation with the neighbor may suffice. However, if the behavior escalates to threatening, abusive, or criminal conduct, such as stalking, trespassing, peeping, or violating local noise ordinances, legal intervention may be necessary. Victims can contact local law enforcement, especially in emergencies by dialing 911, to report such incidents. If the harassment persists, individuals may seek a civil restraining order, also known as a 50B order in cases of personal harassment or a 50C order for non-domestic harassment, from the civil courts to legally prevent the neighbor from continuing the offending behavior. It's important to document incidents of harassment to support any legal action taken.