Departments and Services
Area Offices are an integral part of the Sovereign Base Areas Administration, carrying out a wide spectrum of civil government functions in the SBAs. Each SBA has its own Area Office.
Planning and Building Control (Non-Military Development)keyboard_arrow_up
Under the current Non-Military Development regime, the potential exists for limited agricultural, residential, commercial and light industrial development within the SBAs. At present, there is no Planning legislation in the SBAs; however, this is very likely to change in the future. Development control is exercised through Building Permits issued by the local District Officers (for Greek- Cypriot applicants), after consultation with the local Area Officers and the examination of relevant applications submitted under the Streets and Buildings Regulation legislation of the SBAs. Turkish-Cypriot applicants must file building permit applications with the Area Officer Dhekelia, who may issue a relevant building permit, under the Streets and Buildings Regulation legislation of the SBAs.
Regarding residential development, this is potentially permissible within specific areas, under certain preconditions and only to persons who are deemed eligible to permanently reside within the SBAs.
Regarding commercial and light industrial development, this is potentially permissible within specific areas, subject to the approval of a Business Licence, under extant SBA policy and law. For more information on this, please refer to the contents under the link Establishment of Businesses in the SBAs.
Coastal Region Matterskeyboard_arrow_up
SBA seashore has been designated and mapped under SBA law. Activities and development on the seashore and land abutting the seashore are regulated under SBA policy and legislation.
gamesWater Managementkeyboard_arrow_up
The management of water resources (surface or underground), in Cyprus, is of paramount importance. Assets relating to the supply of potable water to the UK community of the SBAs and Locally Employed Civilians, living or working within MOD sites, is the sole responsibility of the Defence Infrastructure Organisation. Any permit required under SBA law for the abstraction and/or use of water resources, existing on or under private land, in the SBAs, may be applied for at the district Water Development Department offices (by Greek-Cypriots). Turkish-Cypriots must file a relevant application with the Area Officer Dhekelia, by letter.
Hunting in the SBAskeyboard_arrow_up
Hunting is allowed in the SBAs, within designated areas, during the same seasons allowed in the Republic of Cyprus. More information may be found in the legislation and hunting maps, published annually, by both the SBA Administration and the Game Fund.
Using Bird-Scaring Devices for the Protection of Cropskeyboard_arrow_up
The use of bird-scaring devices, in the SBAs, for the protection of agricultural crops, outside designated residential areas, may be allowed under a permit issued by the local Area Office.
Civil Marriageskeyboard_arrow_up
Under SBA law, the Area Offices can perform, and deal with the bureaucracy required for, civil marriages, where at least one of the parties is a member of the SBA UK community (entitled person) and resides within SBA territory.
Births and Deaths (Registration and Certification)keyboard_arrow_up
Under SBA law, births or deaths occurring within the SBAs must be registered and/or certified at the local Area Offices. A certified copy of a birth or death certificate may be issued upon evidence of registration in the relevant Area Office register, on payment of a fee.
Establishment of Businesses in the SBAskeyboard_arrow_up
The possibility of establishing a business in the SBAs exists, insofar as such business is deemed to be serving military or local needs. Such possibility is examined by the SBA Administration, upon the submission of a relevant Business Licence application. In cases where a new business is to be accommodated within either existing or purpose-built premises, a Business Licence application must precede any Building Permit application either for the construction of new or the change of use of existing premises. A Building Permit application may be submitted only after the approval of the relevant Business Licence application.
Fees:
Sale of Intoxicating Liquors and Tobaccokeyboard_arrow_up
This is allowed within the SBAs only under a licence issued by the local Area Office.
announcement Required Documents: A clear Criminal Record Certificate from the SBA or CY Police
Fees (Sale of Intoxicating Liquors Licence)
Extension of Closing Hours (Restaurants/Pubs)keyboard_arrow_up
An extension to the closing hours of restaurants or pubs situated within the SBAs is possible under a relevant permit from the local Area Office.
Fees
Amplified Sound Transmissionkeyboard_arrow_up
The transmission of amplified sound, which is audible in any public place, requires written permission from the local Area Office.
Setting a Controlled Firekeyboard_arrow_up
The setting of controlled fires, for the burning of pruned tree branches, may be allowed, outside residential areas, under permit from the local Area Office, between 1st December and 15th March.
Model Aircraft and Drone Flyingkeyboard_arrow_up
Model aircraft and commercial drone flying is possible in the SBAs, under a licence/permit, issued by the local Area Offices, following the approval of a relevant application.
Commercial Drone Flying (Guidance Note):
This may be allowed under a permit from the Administrator of the SBAs. Interested companies must file a relevant application, with the local Area Office, supplying also the following:
Assemblies and Processionskeyboard_arrow_up
Organised assemblies or processions may be permitted, in the SBAs, under a permit from the local Area Officer. Relevant application forms are available below.
Inland Activity/Event Authorisationskeyboard_arrow_up
Beyond the distance of 90m from the high watermark of the sea, it is possible for the SBA authorities to authorise certain commercial or social activities/events. Organisers must file a relevant application with the local Area Office, at least 1 month in advance of the activity’s/event’s date, providing as much details and information as possible, to facilitate the taking of an informed decision by SBA authorities.
Assistance to Local Communitieskeyboard_arrow_up
For many years now, the SBA Administration has been aiding local communities, situated in and around the SBAs, in 2 ways:
a) By granting limited financial assistance to registered/elected community institutions, from a special fund called the Cyprus Community Relations Fund (CCRF), for the acquisition of necessary infrastructure items or the realisation of approved communal projects; and
b) By tasking visiting Royal Engineer (RE) teams, under the annual PINESTICK exercise, to provide technical assistance to approved communal projects, benefitting one or more communities, using military personnel, vehicles and other equipment, subject to-
1) Such projects having been deemed valuable training to the RE teams and duly approved, by their command; and
2) Beneficiary community(ies) undertaking the cost of materials, fuel and site-security, as well as providing any other assistance/assurance required by the RE command.
Interested community institutions may apply for such aid, by completing the appropriate application form, linked below, and forwarding it to the local Area Office, for due consideration.