Muharraq Municipal Council rejects proposed scheme for annual car shed fees

TDT | Manama

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A proposed scheme to impose annual fees on car sheds outside property lines has been firmly rejected by the Muharraq Municipal Council yesterday.

The plan, which sought to introduce licensing charges, renewal fees, and specific design standards, was described as unnecessary and unfair by councillors.

The guidelines would have required residents to pay a BD20 licensing fee, followed by yearly renewal charges, while also meeting conditions for shed height and design.

Councillors argued the scheme would burden residents financially and was unworkable, particularly in older areas where parking sheds have been a fixture for years.

“Why should I have to pay to license a shed on my own property, and then pay again every year?” asked Councillor Fadhil Al Oud.

“It’s baffling that the municipality would look to residents’ wallets to boost its revenue. These sheds are already serving their purpose, and asking people to pay for what they already have is a step too far. Anything that adds financial strain on citizens is simply unacceptable.”

Concerns

The council raised concerns about the fairness of enforcing such rules, especially given that many sheds were installed years ago without issue.

Members noted that the additional requirement to block vehicles from parking in front of licensed sheds would be near-impossible to enforce in tightly packed neighbourhoods.

Councillor Ahmed Al Moqahwi was scathing in his remarks. “We have to reject this completely. If this is forced through, my first response will be to boycott council sessions altogether,” he said. “This isn’t just poor policy — it’s an attack on residents’ finances. It’s wrong, and we need to stand firm.”

The rejection was unanimous, with councillors united in their stance against what they viewed as a revenue-raising exercise targeting ordinary residents. They stressed that municipal councils should protect citizens rather than adding to their financial pressures.