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 Florida, harassment by neighbors can be addressed through various legal avenues depending on the severity and nature of the conduct. If the behavior is annoying but not abusive or threatening, it is often best to attempt to resolve the issue through direct communication. However, if the conduct includes yelling obscenities, loud noises that disrupt peace especially at night, threatening or abusive behavior, or property damage, it may constitute a violation of local noise ordinances or even criminal offenses such as stalking, trespassing, or vandalism. In such cases, victims can seek assistance from law enforcement by calling 911 in emergencies. For ongoing issues that are not immediate emergencies, victims can file a police report. Additionally, Florida law allows individuals to seek civil remedies such as a restraining order, also known as an injunction for protection, which can be obtained from the civil courts to legally prevent the neighbor from continuing the harassing behavior.