Harare City Council: New Harare Service Station 1.5km Spacing Rules

• Harare City Council has introduced new regulations for service stations, including a 1.5km minimum spacing requirement between new developments.
• New service stations must adhere to a minimum stand size of 2,000 square metres to accommodate primary operations and ancillary facilities.
• Applicants are now required to erect a public notice billboard at the proposed site, detailing the application and inviting public objections or representations.
• Mandatory Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) approved by EMA and explicit approvals from ZERA are prerequisites for construction.
• The council will enforce minimum separation distances and require specified boundary walls for service stations bordering residential properties.

The comprehensive nature of these new Harare fuel station regulations reflects a significant shift towards more rigorous oversight and public accountability in urban development.

The Harare City Council has implemented a stringent new set of regulations governing the establishment of new fuel stations within the city. These updated guidelines introduce several critical requirements, most notably a mandatory minimum spacing of 1.5 kilometers between new service stations. The council's decision comes amidst growing concerns regarding the unchecked proliferation of fuel outlets, particularly in residential zones, which prompted a recent tour by the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Energy and Power Development.

Samuel Nyabezi, the Acting Director of Urban Planning, articulated that the revised policy aims to instill greater order, enhance public safety, and foster increased community participation throughout the approval process for Harare service station developments. Beyond the 1.5km minimum spacing, new Harare fuel station regulations also stipulate a minimum stand size of 2,000 square metres for all proposed sites. This specific dimension is intended to ensure adequate space for the primary fuel dispensing operations, as well as any ancillary facilities that may accompany the service station, such as convenience stores or car washes.

A cornerstone of the new Harare urban planning rules is the introduction of compulsory public notification. Applicants seeking to establish a new Harare City Council service station are now required to erect a prominent billboard at the proposed development site. This billboard must clearly detail the nature of the application and display the relevant plans and diagrams for the service station. Crucially, it must also inform members of the public and owners of adjacent properties about their right to submit formal objections or representations to the local planning authority.

The council has committed to a thorough review process, considering all submissions from neighbors, the general public, and other expert stakeholders. Applications will be circulated to various relevant bodies for input, ensuring a comprehensive interrogation before any final decision is reached. Furthermore, developers must secure an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) approved by the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) before any construction can commence, underscoring the environmental considerations now central to Zimbabwe service station EIA requirements. Additionally, all projects require explicit approvals from the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA), ensuring compliance with energy sector standards. For service stations bordering residential areas, strict minimum separation distances between fuel-related infrastructure and homes will be enforced, and developers will be mandated to construct specific boundary walls where properties share a common line. The council also confirmed that extensive consultations on traffic implications will be undertaken for each application.

The comprehensive nature of these new Harare fuel station regulations reflects a significant shift towards more rigorous oversight and public accountability in urban development. Acting Director Nyabezi emphasized the council's commitment to a "very thorough" approach, involving wide consultation with communities, neighborhoods, and various stakeholders before any permit is issued. He also assured the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Energy and Power Development, chaired by Hon. Sihlabo Vincent, that each application would be assessed and determined strictly on its individual merits under the new guidelines.

During their tour, committee members had raised questions regarding the placement of some existing service stations in close proximity to residential areas, highlighting the very concerns these new regulations aim to address. The updated framework, therefore, not only sets clear standards for future developments but also signals a proactive stance by the Harare City Council to rectify past planning inconsistencies and ensure sustainable urban growth.

Lawyers advising developers or investors in the fuel sector in Harare must now ensure strict compliance with the new 1.5km minimum spacing, 2,000 sqm stand size, mandatory EIA, ZERA approvals, and public notification requirements for new service station applications. Failure to adhere to these updated regulations will likely result in application rejection and significant project delays.

Source: Original reporting via New Zimbabwe