A north Oakland meat wholesaler is being sued by the city for allegedly creating a neighborhood nuisance after years of code violations.

Suprema Meats Inc. is allegedly driving its neighbors nuts by starting work as early as 3:30 a.m. and allowing semi-trucks to idle during the night, which causes homes around the 57th Street property to shake and people to lose sleep, according to Oakland City Attorney Ryan Richardson.

The company also allegedly operates forklifts, opens and closes a heavy gate, allows truckers to power wash their vehicles and engages in other loud and disruptive behaviors.

“Suprema Meats has been using the legal process to delay complying with local laws while they continue to cause harm to the community surrounding them. That stops today,” Richardson said in a news release. “It is unfair to neighbors and law-abiding businesses when companies like Suprema flout city ordinances to maximize profits. Residents have a reasonable expectation to regular quiet hours and streets that are clear of obstructions.”

Richardson says the company disregards neighborhood complaints “and endlessly appealed citations by Oakland Code Enforcement for violations of local laws.”

The lawsuit seeks to have Suprema Meats declared a nuisance and for the court to issue an injunction to stop the alleged activities.

A company representative did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Kiley Russell writes primarily for Local News Matters on issues related to equity and the environment. A Bay Area native, he has lived most of his life in Oakland. He studied journalism at San Francisco State University, worked for the Associated Press and the former Contra Costa Times, among other outlets. He has covered everything from state legislatures, local governments, federal and state courts, crime, growth and development, political campaigns of various stripes, wildfires and the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.