DSPA admits to difficulties in enforcing the noise law

The Environmental Protection Bureau (DSPA) acknowledges difficulties in following up on residents’ complaints related to noise pollution.

In response to a Times inquiry via phone, a representative from the DSPA noted that it is often difficult to enforce the law due to the temporal gap between reports from citizens and the on-site inspections made by DSPA-deployed staff.

The same spokesperson also remarked that there is often uncertainty about the exact location of the noise source, particularly in older neighborhoods.

DSPA recommends that citizens affected by noise, specifically noise from construction conducted outside of legal hours or during weekends or public holidays, report it to the Public Security Police Force (PSP).

They explained that, despite this type of noise pollution being under the supervision of the DSPA, the PSP can assist in documenting the occurrence and location, which the DSPA will then follow up on.

In general, the PSP monitors compliance with the law in regard to “daily life activities and pets in residential buildings,” as well as noise in “public spaces,” while the DSPA is in charge of inspections for “works related to modification, conservation, and repair in residential buildings,” “shows, entertainment, and similar activities,” “equipment and machinery used in construction work,” noise produced in the running of businesses related to “industry, commerce, and services,” and “air conditioning and ventilation equipment.”

According to DSPA statistics from 2024, a total of 10,554 complaints related to the noise law were received, of which 10,450 cases (99%) were archived. Only 104 cases (1%) resulted in the application of fines.

Among the more than 10,000 complaints received last year, almost 69% (7,274 cases) were related to noise resulting from social activities, a type of case that also accounts for nearly 82% of the fines issued.

Although it is a recurring issue, noise resulting from “works related to modification, conservation, and repair in residential buildings” was only targeted with one fine in 2024, following 504 complaints.