Communes represent the fourth and most local level of administration in Belgium's governmental structure, with 581 such municipalities currently in existence. These communes serve as the primary point of contact between citizens and government, responsible for essential public services including civil registration, local policing, urban planning, waste management, and maintenance of municipal infrastructure. Each commune is governed by a municipal council elected by local residents, along with a college of mayor and aldermen who handle day-to-day administration. Communes maintain significant autonomy in managing local affairs, levy their own taxes, and implement policies tailored to their specific communities, whether urban centers like Brussels or smaller rural villages. This level of government plays a crucial role in delivering education, social services, and cultural facilities while enforcing building regulations and managing public spaces within their territorial boundaries.