Noise is a form of pollution that affects health and well-being, leading to sleep disturbances and stress,” the Polícia de Segurança Pública (PSP) emphasized in a Facebook post, urging “awareness of the impact of noise on the community.”
Alongside advising Portuguese citizens to consult the ‘General Noise Regulation’, the police force reminded the public of some key points that should not be overlooked.
There are rules to abide by, such as “not making noise between 11 PM and 7 AM”. In the same social media post, the PSP highlighted that “police authorities can order the noise producer in a neighborhood to adopt suitable measures to immediately cease the disturbance”.
Moreover, it was noted that “between 7 AM and 11 PM, although making noise is allowed, it should not cause discomfort to the neighbors“.
What about construction work inside buildings?
The PSP also provided guidance on this matter. Building work “can only be carried out on weekdays, between 8 AM and 8 PM”, with a requirement to “post a notice in an accessible location for the building’s users”.
The notice must contain “the estimated duration of the work and, when possible, the time frame during which the highest noise intensity is expected”, the authority stated.
How to avoid noise problems?
To avoid noise-related issues, the PSP offered three key tips. These are:
- “Be conscious of the timing. Avoid noisy activities during rest periods;
- Keep the volume low during parties and gatherings and respect the limits of common sense;
- When conducting construction work, remember to inform neighbors to avoid conflicts”.
If “the noise from others becomes a problem for you,” consider “initially discussing the issue with the person responsible for the noise”. In the event of an infraction, “the PSP can impose fines and take necessary measures to stop the noisy activity”.
Fines can range from 400 to 4,000 euros for individuals, or from 6,000 to 36,000 euros when the infractions are committed by a collective entity.
