Churches must be soundproofed; new fuel stations banned from suburbs
- Southerton Business Times
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
The Ministry of Local Government has announced stricter enforcement of planning rules: churches operating in residential areas must hold services in fully enclosed, soundproof buildings, and new fuel service stations will no longer be permitted in suburban neighbourhoods unless they form part of formally approved commercial developments.
Shingirai Mushamba, chief director of spatial planning and development, said the measures enforce existing planning laws that have often been applied inconsistently. He said the changes aim to protect residential peace and public safety while ensuring land use follows the Harare Master Plan and local zoning rules.
What the new enforcement means for places of worship
Mushamba said any place of worship in a residential area must now conduct services inside buildings that are fully enclosed and soundproofed. The move targets amplified sound and loudspeaker use that residents have long complained about.
Harare’s Noise (Amendment) By‑laws of 2014 already prohibit activities that disturb neighbourhoods without council approval. The ministry’s directive reinforces those rules and clarifies that open‑air services or amplified worship in residential zones will require permits and strict controls.
Fuel stations restricted to commercial zones
New fuel service stations will be allowed only in formally approved commercial zones, Mushamba said. Under the Regional, Town and Country Planning Act (Chapter 29:13), developments that conflict with existing zoning require formal rezoning and public consultation.
Section 24 of the Act bars development without a permit, while Section 26 requires public notification and due process for land‑use changes. In practice, this means residential areas cannot host new fuel stations unless the site is rezoned through the proper planning channels.
Legal basis and existing by‑laws
The ministry pointed to several legal instruments that underpin the directive:
Noise (Amendment) By‑laws, 2014 — restrict amplified sound and activities that disturb residential peace.
Control of Worship in Open Spaces By‑laws, 2016 — require permits for open‑air services, limit worship hours (10:00–18:00), and allow the council to revoke approvals if services become a nuisance.
Regional, Town and Country Planning Act (Chapter 29:13) — governs development permits, zoning, and public consultation for land‑use changes.
Mushamba said the ministry will now enforce these provisions more consistently to protect residents’ quality of life and ensure safety around hazardous land uses such as fuel stations.
What residents and operators should do
Churches in residential areas: retrofit or relocate services to fully enclosed, soundproofed buildings; apply for permits for any open‑air events; comply with permitted worship hours.
Prospective fuel station developers: seek sites within designated commercial zones; follow rezoning procedures and public consultation requirements if a site falls outside commercial zoning.
Residents: report unpermitted open‑air worship or new fuel station developments to local council planning offices for investigation.
Potential impacts
The directive aims to reduce noise complaints, improve residential amenity, and limit safety risks associated with fuel stations near homes. It may also prompt some congregations to invest in soundproofing or to relocate to commercial or mixed‑use areas. Developers seeking new service stations will need to factor zoning compliance and community consultation into site selection.
churches soundproofed suburbs
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