Living in an urban environment literally one on top of another creates all sort of issues that I've become familiar with. The biggest is noise disturbance. You have the right to peace and quiet in your home. The City of Chicago has an ordinance that prohibits noise and vibration from entering your home. The City puts the limits at 80 dB at any time and between the hours of 9:00 p.m to 8:00 a.m. puts the limit at 55 dB. See Chicago Municpal Code 11-4-1110 & 1120.

In Condominiums the Association can require all unit owners to install carpet and sue the developer from not properly sound proofing each unit under the theory of breach of implied warranty.

I've successfully required an institution to replace their HVAC chillers as the noise entering my client's home exceeded the above guidelines.