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Tribune News Network
Doha
The Emir His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani on Monday issued a law prohibiting littering in public places and dumping of waste materials on rooftops, balconies and corridors of buildings, including private establishments.
Law No. 18 of 2017 on Public Hygiene prohibits throwing or disposing of waste in public places, squares, roads, streets, sidewalks, public parks, gardens, beaches, sea and open lands. The law also prohibits dumping waste in parking lots, rooftops, balconies, corridors, walls and facades of houses and buildings, both public and private.
Spitting, urinating and defecating in public places are also prohibited. People throwing tissue papers, waste and empty cans and garbage, or spitting on the sidewalks or public places will invite a fine of QR500.
The law stipulates that the landlords and occupants of buildings must maintain cleanliness of corridors, roofs, facades, parking spaces and adjacent sidewalks.
Occupying squares, roads, alleys, sidewalks and public parking spaces with abandoned vehicles, equipment of machinery without having a permit from the municipal authorities is also prohibited.
Leaving waste, trash bags, food waste or waste paper in front of houses, roads or public places will invite a fine of QR300. Cleaning or drying carpets or clothes outside the windows of buildings or on balconies overlooking the roads or public places will entail a fine of QR500.
The law also bans leaving animals or birds to wander in public places and on roads.
Occupants of houses or other places will not be allowed to raise animals or birds for trade without proper licences or permits.
If a person is keeping animals or birds for any purpose other than trade, he should maintain the area clean.
Owners of shops selling animals or birds should ensure that the number of animals or birds displayed should comply with the permit from the department concerned. They should also take measures to keep the area clean and odourless.
Disposal of waste in places other than those designated by the municipality is also banned.
Occupants of houses and owners of offices, establishments and shops should keep waste materials in special containers and dispose it at the designated places.
Municipal authorities can confiscate the violating property and if the offender does not appear before the authorities within six months of the date of confiscation, the property can be put for auction to collect the fine amount for the violation.
Fines for violators
Throwing tissue paper, waste, empty cans and garbage or spitting on the sidewalks or public places -- QR500.
Leaving waste, trash bags, food waste or waste paper in front of houses, roads or public places -- QR300.
Cleaning or drying carpets, blankets or clothes outside the windows or on balconies overlooking the roads or public places -- QR500.
Throwing waste of trees or gardens on roads or in public places -- QR500
Flowing waste water to public roads -- QR300
Occupying squares, roads, streets, lanes, alleys, sidewalks and public parking areas with abandoned vehicles or old equipment -- QR1,000
Throwing or leaving waste, rubbish, trash bags or empty cans on the front of public stores or shops or outside the waste bins -- QR500
Throwing or leaving food waste in gardens, on the beach, in public places or land space -- QR500
Washing vehicles or machinery in unacceptable places -- QR300
