Auto repair businesses face new strict rules

Stricter rules covering commercial garages have come into force against the backdrop of MPs’ concerns over the rise in illegal businesses on island.

The changes bring rules governing commercial garages into line with mobile car mechanics and auto repair services.

Garages across the Cayman Islands will have to comply with new conditions implemented by the Trade and Business Licensing Board on 13 Nov. The new rules state that:

• Mechanical work, vehicle storage and business-related activities must be done within approved property boundaries;
• Public roads, pavements or pedestrian areas must not be obstructed by parking, storing or conducting work on vehicles outside the licensed premises.

Holders of mobile auto mechanic and repair services licences are being reminded to comply with the existing terms and conditions of their licence, which include:

• Allowing only administrative tasks, such as book-keeping, telephone calls, emails, to happen at home;
• Activities such as vehicle bodywork, spray-painting or mechanical maintenance are permitted only at a designated garage;
• Complying with Department of Environment Health oil disposal guidelines;
• On-site advertising signs must have Central Planning Authority approval;
• All employees must have the appropriate licences;
• Not conducting business with customers at the licensee’s residence;
• Mechanical work, vehicle storage and business-related activities must be done within the approved property boundaries;
• Public roadways, sidewalks or pedestrian areas must not be obstructed by parking, storing or conducting work on vehicles outside the licensed premises.

Failure to comply with the rules will result in enforcement actions, which could be a fixed penalty fine or further actions, such as court proceedings following repeated infringements. 

MPs concerned

The issue of the rise in illegal businesses was raised during the recent Finance Committee meeting by MP for George Town West, Pearlina McGaw-Lumsden, who said that there had been a significant increase in the number of pop-up garages in residential communities, often without planning approval.

Deputy opposition leader Kenneth Bryan added his voice to the debate, saying the Department of Commerce & Investment (DCI) needed to tackle anti-social actions caused by businesses that might be licensed, but which played loud music or caused roads to be blocked by excessive parking.

In response, Premier André Ebanks suggested the creation of a taskforce “with teeth” to address the problem with greater enforcement tools, adding that it could take a multi-agency approach so the police and the DCI were able to share information.