Mexico City's noise complaints drop 12%—but weekends still roar
Mexico City's Command, Control, Computing, Communications, and Citizen Contact Center (C5) has received an average of 235 daily noise complaints so far this year—a drop of 11.9% compared to the 267 reports logged in 2025.
Marking International Noise Awareness Day on April 29, the C5 reported that 51.6% of complaints occur between 11:00 p.m. and 1:00 a.m., with most calls placed to the 911 emergency line.
The agency noted that reports peak on weekends, with Sundays accounting for 28% of complaints and Saturdays 23.2%.
The boroughs with the highest number of noise reports are Iztapalapa, Cuauhtémoc, Gustavo A. Madero, Benito Juárez, and Coyoacán.
When adjusted per 100,000 residents, Cuauhtémoc leads with 694 complaints, followed by Benito Juárez with 426 and Miguel Hidalgo with 374.
Salvador Guerrero Chiprés, the C5's general coordinator, attributed the decline in complaints to greater public awareness, while linking the weekend surge to nightlife activity.
"Fewer reports suggest citizens are more mindful of the right to rest," he said. "The fact that over half of all complaints are concentrated in just three hours—and on weekends—confirms the connection between noise disturbances and late-night leisure."
The C5 also reminded residents that Mexico's environmental regulation NOM-081-SEMARNAT-1994 sets a 50-decibel limit for residential areas between 8:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
Under Mexico City's Civic Culture Law, fines for excessive noise can reach up to 40 times the UMA (Unidad de Medida y Actualización), equivalent to 4,692 pesos.
