Alerted to growing citizen complaints about the excessive volume of music emanating from various local bars, restaurants and party venues, Chapala’s Dirección de Padrón y Licencias (license office) has begun issuing written warnings to establishments identified as the principal offenders.
During a June 18 meeting with representatives of the Lakeside Community Council and the Ajijic Citizen Advisory Committee, office chief Luis Ernesto López Amavizca revealed that noisy businesses have been put on notice to tone down or face the suspension or revocation of their licenses.
Also present to pledge backup on enforcement were Arturo Rivera Mexicano, head of Regulations and Vigilance; Ecology Director Moctezuma Medina Corona; Municipal Judge Roberto Pérez Vargas; and city councilman Carlos Soto Pérez.
López explained that businesses may be licensed to offer musical entertainment and operate as late as 2 a.m. His office also handles special permits required for holding mass events and large private parties. Those issued for fund-raisers for philanthropic causes are free of charge, while lucrative events are subject to a tax. These permits normally stipulate midnight as the ending time.
Medina delved into the technicalities of applying federal regulations on noise pollution control as defined in NOM-081-SEMARNAT-1994.Under modifications enacted in 2013, the maximum sound limit allowed in residential zones is 55 decibels (dB) from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., dropping to 50 dB for the remaining eight nighttime hours. The norm for commercial and industrial zones is 68 dB, and 65 dB after 10 p.m. The top limit for ceremonies, festivals and entertainment event goes up to 100 dB, restricted to a maximum period of four hours.
Medina said that the ecology office has the appropriate equipment to measure sound levels, but must follow precise guidelines to detect and fine offender violations. López agreed to the suggestion that sound level regulations be cited in relevant permits.
Rivera provided the community representatives with the names and cell phone numbers of three inspectors who are responsible for night duty to enforce local ordinances, including permitted operating hours for restaurants, bars, casinos, clubs and special events.
Citizens bothered by excessively loud music or events running into the wee hours are advised to call Chapala police headquarters, 765-4444, to register a complaint. Officers will be dispatched to assess the situation and if needed, contact inspectors to shut down unruly happenings.