Municipality: Contractor and Property Owner Responsible for Removing Construction Debris
The Municipality affirmed that removing debris falls on the contractor or the owner, and called for disposing of it in designated sites.
Translated by Qiyas from الوسط — Original source
Kuwait Municipality has confirmed that the removal and transportation of debris resulting from construction, demolition, and renovation works fall under the responsibility of the contractor and the property owner, and are not within the municipality’s purview. It urged the public to dispose of such debris in designated sites and to avoid stockpiling it in front of homes to prevent violations and fines.
Al-Humaidi Al-Mutairi, Director of the Safety Department in Al-Jahra Governorate, stated in a press interview that the responsibility for removing debris lies with the homeowner or the contractor, depending on the nature of the agreement between the two parties. He emphasized the necessity of explicitly stipulating in construction or renovation contracts that the contractor is obligated to remove construction waste.
He clarified that the timeframe for debris removal ranges from three to seven days at most, depending on the volume of work, and that construction containers must be provided in front of construction, renovation, or demolition sites. He noted that the municipality has recently observed increased compliance in providing these containers.
Al-Mutairi pointed out that the municipality’s campaign “Amr La Takhrab” (Amr, Do Not Destroy) is currently focusing on monitoring construction debris. A violation is issued against the contractor if a contract exists between him and the property owner, whereas in the case of minor renovations to private residences that do not require a permit, the violation falls on the owner.
He affirmed that the municipality is intensifying its awareness efforts during field inspections regarding safety requirements and the provisions of the Safety Regulations Code, aiming to avoid violations that could result in substantial financial fines, as well as potential delays in procedures related to the company or property owner.
He called on plot and under-construction home owners to dispose of debris in designated sites and not to leave it in front of homes, while also advising them to follow the official Kuwait Municipality accounts to stay informed of regulatory guidelines and requirements, and to contact relevant authorities when necessary.
