Noise pollution is a problem that can seriously affect your quality of life.

¿Do you consider reporting noise from neighbors on the street or from the town hall? If this is your case, it is important to know that this situation is regulated by the Madrid City Council’s Ordinance for Protection against Acoustic and Thermal Pollution (OPCAT).

Here we explain what to do if your neighbors are making noise, so that you can have the peace of mind you need.

What is the acceptable noise level?

According to OPCAT, external or internal noise should not exceed certain decibel levels, which vary depending on the time of day and the type of location. In order to define the schedules, the OPCAT divides the day into three periods:

• Day period (7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.): 35 dB in rooms and 30 dB in bedrooms.
• Evening period (7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.): 35 dB in rooms and 30 dB in bedrooms.
• Night period (11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.): 30 dB in rooms and 25 dB in bedrooms.

On holidays, the night period is extended from 11:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m.

Types of noise and cases

Noise can come from various sources, such as neighbors, venues, pubs and clubs. Activities that cause noise must respect the limits established by OPCAT.

• Neighbors: removals, moving furniture and carrying out works are restricted between 9:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. (9:30 a.m. on weekends and holidays). For working that schedule, you can receive a noise complaint from neighbors.
• Local business: they cannot exceed the permitted noise levels, both those emitted to the outside environment and to acoustically adjacent premises (or homes).
• Works: construction, repair or demolition of buildings, are limited between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. (9:00 a.m. on weekends and holidays unless there are also reasons of urgency, safety or danger).
• Propaganda. The use of sound devices for propaganda, advocacy, warning, distraction, and similar purposes that have not been previously authorized is strictly prohibited.

What should I do in the event of noise pollution?

1. Try a friendly solution

Before making the decision to call the Police for noise in the street, we recommend that you identify the source of the noise and speak directly with those who are causing it.
Often, they are unaware that they are violating the law and are willing to cooperate.

2. Complaint to the Madrid City Council.

If you do not achieve positive results with the previous alternative, file a complaint online through the Madrid City Council portal.

3. Call the Municipal Police for noise in the street

3.1. Call the police to report the noise.

They show up with the police car and dressed as police officers. In these cases, establishments are often alerted and the noise stops. In any case, call 092 to report the noise, the agents may take a while to arrive due to other emergencies, sometimes even hours. For surprise measurements in establishments by plainclothes (non-uniformed) police, you must request the environmental unit.

3.2. Environmental Unit of the municipal police

Contact 915263487 for persistent cases or when the police have not resolved the problem.
This unit operates during business hours and usually dresses in civilian clothes to take measurements. It is advisable to request their presence on Friday or Saturday nights, when noise or disturbances are more frequent.

5. Noise in the center of Madrid.

In the center of Madrid, noise can be particularly annoying, which is why it is often necessary to call the police.
If you live or stay in this area, contact the office in Plaza Santa María Soledad Torres Acosta, which is open 24 hours a day, on 915 329 523.

6. Research or consult experts.

If you want to go further, check the licenses and professional activities allowed in the property or establishment. In complex cases, consult an expert architect or lawyer. For more information and details about the noise level limits, here is the link from the Community of Madrid on the Act for protection against noise and thermal pollution.

DFLAT Madrid: your housing solution

If you are an investor or apartment apartment owner in Madrid and need a rental management agency with quality and not noisy tenants, contact us to receive more information.