Muscat Municipality Discontinues Issuing Licences for Businesses of Car Cleaning & Polishing in Commercial and Residential-Commercial Properties
Muscat Municipality issued decision No. (44/2022) to stop issuing licences for establishing business activities of car cleaning and polishing intended to establish in commercial and residential-commercial properties located in residential neighbourhoods, after the impact which was observed on public hygiene and the increasing number of complaints received from residents living nearby these activities.
The decision was made eventually due to the inconvenience that this type of activity is causing to the public and urban environment; either in the noise pollution, bad odours, or the water leaks which host pests and insects. The decision came also to consider the surrounding establishments, especially women`s activities and restaurants, which by their nature receive many visitors, and their need for privacy, and to maintain the minimum standard of health and hygiene nearby these establishments.
Possible alternatives:
The decision has referred to the alternatives in which it is allowed to obtain licences for the activity or to transfer existing activities, where the location of the establishment must be in one of the industrial zones, or at petrol stations provided to have not more than two lift jacks.
Rectification:
Current licensed establishments of cleaning and polishing cars located in commercial and residential commercial buildings have been granted a period of (5) five years to rectify their conditions; provided to use dry cleaning equipment, in accordance with Article (87) of the health requirements contained in administrative decision no. (219/2019) on the issuance of the regulation of health requirements for activities related to public health.
The Municipality urges the local community to comply with the provisions of resolution no. (44/2022) in terms of choosing the appropriate location, which was limited to industrial zones and petrol stations, and taking into account the health and technical requirements for practising the activity.