I am now on rural property but was in the city for ten years in an old residential area that was originally developed in the 1940's. Lots were large (1 to 6 acres) but houses were small. My shop was behind our house and surrounded by trees. Behind us to the north was a church, to the west was my grandparents house, a neighbor to the east and the road was on the south side. I used to run the 100 lb hammer quite often and people's windows would rattle but no one ever called the law - they'd just comment to me on occasion that there was this strange thumping noise every once in a while...everyone simply thought I was a weldor since they frequently would see an arc in the evening. Cities can be pretty noisy so you are often more camouflaged than you might think.
I also have to say that my neighbors in the country hear more noise than at my old shop because there is so little background sound. Fortunately, we are in an unzoned area - my biggest worry is just being courteous and not running anything past 10 pm. One neighbor lives 1/2 mile away but he can always hear the power hammer going. Fortunately, he thinks it's cool and I do the occasional welding job for him so no problems to date.
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