The resorts of Spain will add to their already large assortment with another original fine from tourists and establishments that serve them. The resort of Alicante, once very popular with our tourists, introduces fines for “noise pollution”. At the same time, the amount of the fine reaches 300,000 euros – it is true, tourists are not threatened with such a scale, but tourists are also at risk of being fined in the amount of 600 euros. And for actions that many consider normal.
Alicante authorities have announced they are reviewing regulations introduced in March 2019 and are warning of hefty fines of between €600 and €300,000, as well as business closures, for anyone who maliciously violates noise pollution rules, according to Spanish media.
The rules, it seems, were written at the request of rather “nervous” residents. At least the authorities said that it was adopted precisely in connection with a huge number of complaints from locals that Alicante is “too noisy”.
Noise pollution, for example, is declared not only loud music from speakers of tourists on the beach or the street, but also “too loud conversations” in the territory that borders on the private territory of other people. Bars and cafes will be prohibited from rattling chairs – the rules seriously provide for special rubber pads on the legs of chairs and tables so that they do not “rattle” when they are placed on the streets in the morning and do not “creak” under tourists. Of course, it will be possible to request a reduction in the hours of operation of noisy establishments, including bars and cafes. However, too fine the establishment, an “acoustic investigation” of the activity that causes discomfort will be required.
Some of the requirements of the new law, however, may also appeal to tourists: they are unlikely to object to measures aimed at banning or at least regulating noisy activities inside buildings, loading and unloading operations on public roads, and construction works.
The new regulations are also aimed at reducing excessive noise from air conditioners, refrigeration equipment that creates noise and/or vibration, construction work, and garbage collection. They will try to ban “domestic and farm” animals from making noise as well.
The ordinance on combating noise is currently in the approval stage and will be approved on March 30.