How to report noise at night – a brief guide for residents

Shouting in the street, a late party at your neighbors' house, or music coming from a club can make it difficult to sleep. Here are some tips on how to properly report noise at night.

The residents of Kraków are protected from unwanted noise by the following regulations:

Art. 51 of the Code of Misdemeanors (disturbing the peace, public order, and nighttime rest)

Art. 156 of the Environmental Protection Law (prohibition of using sound equipment in public spaces without proper permission)

The Kraków City Council's “anti-noise resolution” (restricting the use of equipment or installations that may have a negative impact on the environment between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.)

Resolutions on the cultural parks of the Old Town, Kazimierz with Stradom, and Nowa Huta (prohibition of, among other things, placing sound systems in outdoor dining areas and on building facades).

If a loudspeaker appears on the facade or in the garden of a cultural park, the matter is simple – the regulations prohibit it. However, in the case of loud music in the neighborhood or other loud behavior by people, the situation is not so obvious.

Disturbing the peace at night (Article 51 of the Code of Misdemeanors) is a result-based offense. This means that a person whose peace has been disturbed and who reports it to the authorities is needed.

Where to report disturbance of nighttime rest

Reports of disturbance of nighttime rest should be made by telephone to the municipal police (986) or the appropriate police station – while the disturbance is ongoing, not after it has ended. This is necessary because officers must confirm the violation of the law on the spot.

The report should include the exact address and direction of the source of the sound, as well as a statement that it is disturbing your rest.

The dispatcher or patrol may ask you to step out into the stairwell or onto the balcony to make sure the noise is still ongoing.

The report cannot be anonymous, as the offense concerns a specific victim with whom the authorities may need to contact upon arrival.

If the noise recurs regularly, it is worth reporting each incident—the recurrence of reports allows for a better understanding of the scale of the phenomenon and enables appropriate action to be taken.

Before you call

In the case of noise coming from neighbors, a direct, polite reminder often helps. Many situations arise from ignorance and can be resolved through conversation. It is worth remembering that posts on neighborhood Facebook groups rarely reach the people they concern, but instead unnecessarily create a hostile atmosphere and hinder further dialogue.

What does not constitute a disturbance of nighttime rest

Not every increase in noise level will disturb nighttime rest. The city also functions at night, which is why, among other things, emergency vehicle sirens, normal traffic, and nighttime public transportation are permitted. Sporadic noises resulting from normal use of apartments, which do not exceed the usual nuisance, do not constitute an offense.