Damascus governorate has set fines and fees for illegal occupations by some facilities within the city.

The Executive Office of Damascus governorate issued a decision on 28 October that set fines and fees on the owners of some “restaurants, coffee shops, cafes, stores, stalls and seasonal licenses for violating the law and encroaching on additional spaces from sidewalks, roads and public properties.”

According to the official “Facebook” page of Damascus governorate, the director of service departments in Damascus, Malak Hamsho, said that “the decision aims to limit violations and illegal occupations on pavements, and trespassing on public property by shops, restaurants, stalls, and street vendors for the obstruction of pedestrian movement on sidewalks and street traffic.”

Hamsho clarified that violations of restaurants and cafes encroaching on state properties are calculated based on the identified occupancy fee and for one year at the cost of 150 Syrian pounds (SYP = 0.06 USD) per square meter daily according to the occupied area, in addition to a fine of 3000 (SYP = 1.207 USD) for every violation.

She pointed out that violations and fees imposed on shops for trespassing on state property are calculated based on the identified occupancy fee and for one year at the cost of 1oo Syrian pounds (SYP = 0.04 USD) per square meter daily according to the occupied area, in addition to a fine of 3000 (SYP = 1.207 USD) for every violation.

As for stall owners invading public property, they will be charged fines and fees calculated based on the identified occupancy fee and for one year at the cost of 75 Syrian pounds (SYP = 0.03 USD) per square meter daily according to the occupied area, in addition to a fine of 3000 (SYP = 1.207 USD) for every violation, according to Hamsho.

Street vendors and owners of seasonal licenses encroaching on state properties are fined based on the identified occupancy fee and for one year at the cost of 50 Syrian pounds (SYP = 0.02 USD) per square meter daily according to the occupied area, in addition to a fine of 3000 (SYP = 1.207 USD) for every violation.

The decision also provided for the immediate removal of illegal violations by the competent services departments with the help of Damascus Governorate Police Department.

The Damascus Governorate Police Department confirmed that violators would be notified to pay the fine and the fee within a week along with a warning of closing the shop, stall, or any licensed occupation in case of non-payment. The department also mentioned that once the violators pay their fees and fines, their occupation will be reopened after the week’s period ends.

Damascus governorate imposed a fine of 100,000 (SYP = 40 USD) on every user of an unlicensed car parking spot in the city.

Damascus city has witnessed widespread violations and encroachment on sidewalks. Moreover, stalls and street vending spread in many areas, including the areas of al-Baramkeh, al-Raees Bridge, and al-Hamra street, which sometimes sell expired products, clothes, and plastic items.