GAM mulling ban on ‘noisy’ businesses in residential areas

AMMAN — The Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) is considering halting permits for businesses that cause noise disturbances in residential areas, an official said on Monday. 

GAM has formed a technical committee to study the possibility of stopping the issuance of business permits for certain professions in residential areas, it said in a statement, adding that the shops could be located in commercial districts instead.

Barbershops, butcher shops, restaurants, florists, bakeries, stationery shops and laundry and dry cleaning shops are among the businesses that the municipality is considering banning from residential areas, said Ali Hadidi, the director of GAM’s professional licences and promotions department. 

According to the GAM’s spokesperson, Mazen Al Farajeen, most of the targeted businesses have received noise complaints from local residents.

Many of the shops were granted permits in the 1980s, when transport options were limited, he told The Jordan Times.  

A study conducted by the municipality showed that around 11,000 business permits have been granted in the capital, while 14,000 industrial permits have been granted. 

According to Farajeen, the population increase and the rise in the number of businesses have added to the impact of “noisy” professions.

Around 4 million people live in Amman, according to the 2015 population census. 

Commenting on the situation of existing shops, the spokesperson said GAM could reach agreements with them to limit the disturbances to residents. 

In November 2015, GAM banned the issuance of new permits for salons, nurseries and kindergartens, supermarkets, pharmacies, medical clinics and grocery shops in residential areas.