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 Iowa, harassment by neighbors is addressed under various laws depending on the severity and nature of the conduct. If the behavior includes yelling obscenities, loud noises, threatening or abusive behavior, or property damage, it may violate local noise ordinances or constitute harassment under Iowa Code section 708.7. For non-criminal annoyances, a direct but polite conversation with the neighbor may resolve the issue. However, if the conduct escalates to threatening, abusive, or criminal behavior such as stalking (Iowa Code section 708.11), trespassing (Iowa Code section 716.7), or invasion of privacy (Iowa Code section 709.21), law enforcement can be involved. In emergencies, calling 911 is appropriate. For ongoing issues, victims may seek a civil restraining order, also known as a protective order, under Iowa Code section 236.3 to legally prevent the neighbor from continuing the harassment. It's advisable to document incidents and seek the guidance of an attorney to navigate the legal process.