Quiet Hours for Building Work: Muharraq Council Approves Draft Law

Muharraq’s municipal council has approved a draft amendment to the Law Regulating Buildings (Decree-Law No. 13 of 1977), allowing the municipality to set specific days and hours when construction, demolition, and excavation are prohibited in residential areas.

The draft, proposed by the Shura Council, would give the municipality the authority to determine the schedule for such bans and grant exceptions based on local conditions.

The government has expressed its support for the initiative and is preparing a new comprehensive building law for the Kingdom. The forthcoming legislation will cover licensing procedures, project requirements, and obligations during construction, including rules on digging, backfilling, and infill, all aimed at protecting residents and improving safety standards.

The amendment is intended to shield neighborhoods from noise and disruption while giving councils the flexibility to decide suitable hours for bans and exceptions.

An explanatory note emphasized that the change will allow municipalities to manage building activity in residential areas more effectively without halting work entirely. It also aligns with existing municipal laws and similar regulations across the region.