فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
Fes News – The newspaper “Fes News” received a collective complaint from a group of residents of a luxury residential complex located on Ain Chqaf Road in the city of Fes. The residents denounce their daily suffering due to the opening of a restaurant in one of the commercial shops on the ground floor, which has turned the residential building into what they described as a “nightmare.”
Incident Details
The complex consists of four floors, eight apartments, and three commercial shops on the ground floor. The restaurant was opened on Sunday, September 7, 2025, after a license was granted despite the residents submitting a formal objection before the shop was converted into a restaurant, requesting enforcement of safety and ventilation standards. Without effective response, the residents suffered immediate and serious damages.
Daily Suffering of Residents
Residents complain about an illegally and poorly designed restaurant chimney that passes through the clothes closets of some apartments, causing smoke and unpleasant odors to infiltrate the homes. One apartment located above the restaurant suffers particularly severe harm, as a child with asthma experienced suffocation and nosebleeds due to the emissions. Residents also endure continuous noise, often extending until 1 a.m., depriving them of their right to peace and quiet.
Official Procedures Without Response
Despite submitting official complaints on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, to both the district head and the licensing authority, no joint committee has been dispatched yet to assess the extent of the damages, increasing the residents’ frustration who demand urgent intervention.
Between Arbitrary Investment and the Right to Decent Housing
Allowing restaurants inside residential buildings without adhering to safety and environmental conditions threatens residents’ health and right to quiet, decent housing. This violates Moroccan legal provisions governing commercial activities within residential zones.
Legal Framework
Commercial activities within residential complexes are subject to strict laws, including:
- Law No. 12.90 concerning urban planning.
- Law No. 25.90 concerning real estate subdivisions and residential groups.
- Law No. 12.66 on monitoring and sanctioning violations related to urban planning and construction.
According to these laws, obtaining the approval of the majority of residents is mandatory before licensing any activity that causes noise, odors, emissions, or structural changes that adversely affect the living environment.
Call by Residents and Concerned Parties
Residents confirm their legal support by a specialized lawyer to defend their rights to a healthy living environment. They urge officials and civil society to intervene swiftly to find a solution that protects the health of children and families, preserving the right to housing that respects legal standards and human dignity.
Their Motto Derived from King Mohammed VI’s Speech
“No place today or tomorrow for a Morocco moving at two speeds,” a principle demanding equality in services and responsibilities to protect citizen dignity.
Summary of Commercial Activities Allowed Inside Residential Complexes According to Moroccan Law
| Activity Type | Allowed Inside Residence | Requires Resident Approval | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sale of simple commodities | ✔ | — | No restrictions |
| Restaurants and Cafés | — | ✔ | Prohibited without safety standards |
| Salons (Beauty, Haircut) | ✔ | ✔ | Requires control of chemicals/devices |
| Artisans (Carpenter, Welder, Mechanic) | — | ✔ | Prohibited if causes disturbances |
| Warehouses and Small-scale Industry | — | ✔ | Requires licenses and safety compliance |
Residents of the building conclude their complaint with an urgent call to all concerned officials, legal authorities, and human rights organizations to stand with them against this unacceptable situation, affirming that their expensive housing investments (worth more than one billion centimes) must respect their rights to a quiet and healthy environment free from arbitrary commercial practices.
This report is based on an official complaint (of which the newspaper holds a digital copy) submitted by the residents, seeking immediate intervention to ensure the law is enforced and citizens’ right to decent housing is respected.
Source: Fes News
