Music and noise regulations

Getting Started
1

Hey there. I am new here and nervous about this process. There is so much to think about and consider. How late does everyone let the events go? And donyou have a music/noise cut off time? How does that work for you? My space is in a residential neighborhood.

2

Hi Emily, welcome! There is much to consider indeed. I have a commercial space, essentially a retail space with homes behind us across the alley. The biggest challenge: you cannot disturb your neighbors.

Every host has to decide what works for them, and many decide not to host parties at all. We have hosted some production, lots of documentary-style interviews, and I shoot here as a photographer. But most of our Peerspace bookings are parties of some kind: birthday party, baby shower, reception, launch events, a wide range. Here are some tips:

  • You have to screen your guests, and stress repeatedly to them that if they are looking to rage, they need to go somewhere else

  • Determine your max capacity and stress that they cannot exceed.

  • Decide on options for music, safest is to have your own speakers and sound system that you can control. People want DJs, and even if you tell them they have to use your system, they will bring their own, or a friend will bring a giant powered speaker.

  • We originally let people go later, but decided that events have to be over with everyone gone by midnight. Everyone thinks they need to do shots at midnight and crank things up a notch. They can do that somewhere else. And that means they need to start breaking down and loading out by 11 or 11:15pm, depends on how much decorating they have done

  • And you have to stress stress stress that their booking period includes any deliveries, load in, set up, decoration, as well as break down, load out and clean up. All these things take longer than guests imagine

  • Scheduling deliveries and pickup can be a challenge, and you should charge if not done during their booking period. They may also conflict with other bookings

  • Find out about noise ordinances, you may have to have music off by 10 or 11pm. Whenever they are loading out with doors open etc, music should be OFF.

  • At the end of a party, when guests are leaving (after drinking), they go outside and everyone is talking, laughing, yelling, it’s louder than the party was inside.

  • Private, invitation-only, friends and family events. Nothing advertised and promoted.

I hope that helps, wish you all the best! - Brad

2 Likes
3

Hi @Emily_L3 and welcome! I would check with your local police department and see what their laws are in regards to music/noise. More importantly, I would also have a conversation with your neighbors, perhaps take them pastries, as they will be the biggest driving factor. Best Wishes, Alex

4

I had to learn the hard way and now my music cut off is 1030pm with no exceptions. Everyone must be out of the space by midnight which gives them an hour and a half to clean up and break down.

I allow music but I emphasize that if you have to scream to speak to someone or if your trying to rage, this is not the event space for them and I should look elsewhere.

Good luck!