Shura Council set to debate law on residential construction noise restrictions

TDT | Manama

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A proposed law to curb the racket of drilling and demolition in residential neighbourhoods is set to be debated in the Shura Council on Sunday.

The plan aims to empower municipalities to impose restrictions on noisy construction work during rest hours, addressing long-standing grievances from residents over sleep-shattering disturbances.

At present, no rules exist to prevent contractors from operating at weekends, on public holidays, or late at night, leaving families to cope with sleepless nights and the constant stress of nearby construction activity.

Amendment

The proposal, reviewed by Shura’s Public Utilities and Environment Committee, seeks to amend Article 20 of the 1977 Building Regulation Law.

If approved, it would allow municipalities to set specific times and days when disruptive work is banned in residential areas, with exceptions for emergencies like urgent pipe repairs.

The amendment is intended to give councils the tools to protect residents’ peace while managing growth demands.

Aims

The Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture has weighed in on the matter, stating that some of the aims of the proposal could already be addressed through the Labour Law for the Private Sector (Law No. 36 of 2012) and the Environment Law (Law No. 7 of 2022).

The latter, under Article 43, requires projects to keep noise levels from machinery and equipment within acceptable limits.

However, the ministry acknowledged that the amended proposal adds flexibility by granting councils the option to enforce restrictions on specific activities during certain times.

Needs

This, it said, would allow for tailored decisions based on the needs of local communities.

The Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning echoed similar views, adding that the proposal aligns with Decree No. 44 of 2022, which places responsibility for enforcing Article 20 of the Building Regulation Law under the Housing Ministry.

They explained that the amendment would formalise the minister’s authority to regulate disruptive construction activities in residential areas.

Restrictions

The committee has argued that the law balances public comfort and construction industry demands, applying restrictions only to residential zones and activities like drilling, demolition, and excavation.

This ensures that broader construction projects in uninhabited areas remain unaffected.

If passed, violations of the restrictions could lead to penalties under Article 23 of the existing law, which imposes fines for non-compliance.

Municipalities

The committee further stressed that municipalities, being closest to the affected communities, are best suited to enforce the rules while coordinating with other authorities.

Supporters of the proposal say it directly responds to public complaints about unchecked noise disturbances and provides much-needed respite for residents living near active construction zones.

Sunday’s discussion will focus on how the rules might be enforced and the effects on contractors and nearby communities.