Communes represent the third and lowest level of administrative division in Haiti's three-tier governance structure, with 145 communes distributed across the country's departments and arrondissements. Each commune functions as the primary unit of local government, responsible for delivering essential municipal services including civil registration, local tax collection, maintenance of public infrastructure, and basic administrative functions. Communes are governed by elected municipal councils and mayors who manage local affairs and serve as the direct interface between citizens and the national government. This administrative level plays a crucial role in urban planning, market regulation, and coordinating local development initiatives within their jurisdictions. The commune system allows for decentralized governance suited to Haiti's geographic and demographic diversity, though the effectiveness of individual communes varies significantly based on available resources and institutional capacity.