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 New Jersey, harassment by neighbors is addressed under the state's harassment statute, N.J.S.A. 2C:33-4. This statute defines harassment to include engaging in alarming conduct or repeatedly committing acts with the purpose to alarm or seriously annoy another person, such as making communication at extremely inconvenient hours, using offensively coarse language, or any other manner likely to cause annoyance or alarm. If the behavior includes yelling obscenities, loud noises at night, threatening or abusive behavior, or damage to property, and it is persistent, it may constitute harassment under this statute. Victims can contact local law enforcement, especially if the conduct is criminal in nature (e.g., stalking, trespassing, or vandalism). In cases of emergency, calling 911 is appropriate. For non-emergency situations that are still serious, victims may seek a restraining order from the civil courts to prevent further harassment. Additionally, local noise ordinances may provide a basis for legal action if neighbors are being disruptively loud, particularly during designated quiet hours.