According to the Resolution of the Supreme Court, sending a bill is not among the obligations of every Municipality and of course there is the possibility for some notices to be lost, even though they are sent by mail. In order to avoid the non-timely notice of the taxpayers, Larnaka Municipality publishes weekly announcements in the press with which it calls the public to pay for their various obligations within the specified date. Consequently, in case of not receiving the relevant bill, the non-payment is not accepted and it is illegal. Especially for the property tax, it is worth noting that its computerization has been recently done by the Municipality and there are old non-computerized taxations, which, even though no notices have been sent, the owners are obliged to pay but the Municipality accepts payments by instalments for these.

According to a relevant new legislation, the property tax, which exists since the establishment of the Cyprus Republic, was granted to the Local Government by the state. It is uniformly imposed on all the immovable property owners and it consists of a small amount in the estimated value of every property on 1/1/1980 and its amount is specified every year on the 1^st June. All the owners are obliged to pay until the 30^th September of every year. Late payments are charged with 10% penalty. Objections or reductions are not accepted because taxation is about property and not individuals.

The amount of the abovementioned taxations is decided by the Municipal Council but through some self-limited frameworks. The rubbish tax is paid by the tenants and/or owners of all the residential units, shops, small industries or industrial units. Only the registered companies and legal persons pay for the profession tax.

Citizens, either local or foreigners, with really low pensions are entitled to get reductions. Also, those who live alone and have a low income and those who have a proved disability in a high degree are also entitled to get reduction. Finally, families with many (4 children +) that have the relevant card for each year are entitled to get the reduction.

There is a relevant objection form but objections in the form of a letter to the Municipality are also accepted. All the objections are examined by a special committee of the Municipal Council and the answer is given by the competent department.

If all the above mentioned taxation duties are settled, then the Municipality issues an exemption certificate which can be used at the Department of Lands and Surveys. A similar certificate for quitclaim purposes is issued after the payment of the sewerage fees at S.B.L. and the water bill at W.B.L.

It is being scheduled so as for the payments to be able to be made in more checkouts at the Municipality and to be made electronically via internet. At the moment, payment via banks and cooperative banks is already possible, but the best solution in order to avoid the hassle is the earliest possible payment.

Regarding the pre-sale of tickets, you can contact the cashier of Larnaka Municipal Theatre at tel. 24665795, cashier’s working hours:

Monday – Friday 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Every month, Larnaka Municipality issues the cultural program with all the events organized at the Municipal areas. Through this leaflet, somebody can be informed about all the relevant information of the events (venue, start time, type of event, ticket price). You can find this leaflet at the entrances of all the Municipal areas (Municipal Palace, Municipal Art Gallery, Municipal Theatre, Municipal Museums etc.) or you can even give your postal address at the Cultural Services for this to be sent to your house. by post

Larnaka Municipality has plenty of events organized every year at fixed dates and these are as follows:

• European Cultural Winter of Larnaka (events with the participation of international soloists and bands), November – March, at Larnaka Municipal Theatre
• Zinonio Free University of Larnaka (lectures by University professors), October – March, at the Letters and Arts House in Larnaka
• Larnaka Film Club, October - May
• Musical Sundays, October – April, at the Beach Platform
• 6^th January, Epiphany Celebration, Celebrations at the Holy Church of Saint Lazaros and at Larnaka Pier
• Green Monday (Traditional Music, Dances and Games), at the Picnic Site of Tekkes
• 24^th March, Celebrations by the chance of the National Anniversaries of the 25^th March 1821 & 1^st April 1955 at Larnaka Municipal Theatre
• 25^th March, Students’ Parade by the chance of the National Anniversaries of the 25^th March 1821 & 1^st April 1955
• 1 – 30 April, Classical Music Festival at Larnaka Municipal Theatre
• Procession of the Icon of Saint Lazarus at the Holy Church of Saint Lazarus
• Easter Holy Week, Byzantine Days, at Larnaka Municipal Theatre
• Celebrations by the chance of Labour Day, at the Beach Platform and at Larnaka Municipal Theatre, May
• 9^th May, Event by the Chance of Europe Day
• May (usually on the second Sunday), Flower Festival at Athinon Avenue and at the Beach Platform, (Parade of Flower Decorated Chariots and Groups, Artistic Program & Fireworks)
• Events by the chance of the International Children’s Day, 1^st June
• May or June, Kataklysmos Festival (Flood Festival) at the Beach Platform and Athinon Avenue (Traditional music, dances, poetry, theatre, competitions and traditional crafts exhibition, fireworks, etc).
• 1^st & 2^nd July, The Famous Musicals of the World, at Pattichion Municipal Amphitheatre of Larnaka
• 3^rd – 31^st July, Larnaka Festival, (music, theatre, dances, poetry – with the participation of international bands and soloists), at Pattichion Municipal Amphitheatre of Larnaka, at the Medieval Castle, at the Pier and at historical locations of the city
• September & October, International Festival “KYPRIA” (Music, Dance, Theatre), at Pattichion Municipal Amphitheatre of Larnaka & at Larnaka Municipal Theatre
• 27^th October, Celebrations by the chance of the National Anniversary of the 28^th October 1940 at Larnaka Municipal Theatre
• 28^th October, Parade by the chance of the National Anniversary of the 28^th October 1940 at Larnaka Municipal Theatre
• 1 – 15 November Fortnight of Skala Amateurish Creation, at Larnaka Municipal Theatre (with the participation of choruses, orchestras, dancing and theatrical clubs)
• 17^th – 24^th December, Christmas events, at central squares and streets of the city as well as at the Municipal Theatre
• 31^st December, New Year’s Eve, Concert in Europe Square, Fireworks

A person/company can get any area belonging to the Municipality for the organization of an event under the condition that this is about a significant event with a cultural, festival or spiritual character. The Municipal area is granted after a written request describing the purposes of the event to the Mayor. The areas are granted for the respective renting amount for every area and after an agreement with the Cultural Services or the Cultural Officer of the Municipality. The Cultural Services operate during the winter period from Monday to Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and on Thursdays afternoons from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 pm, and during the summer period from Monday to Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

The material of the Municipal Historical Archive of the city is divided in two parts. The first part is about the material in the form of exhibition at the Municipal Historical Archive – Larnaka Museum and it is housed at the ground floor of the building of the old Officers Club (beach Front, near the Cultural Centre). The entrance to this area is free for the public and the Museum operates from Monday to Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The second part is about the material of the Archive that is classified in the offices of the Cultural Service where there is also a reading room, where somebody can only there study it. The material of the Archive cannot be lent.

The Municipal Museum of Natural History of Larnaka (children’s garden – Afxentiou Ave.), the Municipal Art Gallery (Afxentiou Ave. and Kiouppi Corner), the Municipal Museum of Palaeontology of Tornaritis –Pierides Foundation of Marine Life (Europe Square), the Municipal Historical Archive – Museum (Europe Square), the Municipal Theatre (Afxentiou Ave.), the platform at finikoudes beach and Pattichion Municipal Amphitheatre (Salt Lake Park). The visiting hours and the entrance prices are different for every area and the best way for visits, especially for large groups, e.g. schools, is by telephone notice. The curators in all of the above areas are at the public’s disposal. The garden theatre at the Castle is granted by the Antiquities Department in very special occasions and after a written request of the interested party.

The Cultural Service accepts proposals from people or companies either for organization by themselves or for participation in institutionalized events all year round. The proposals must necessarily be accompanied by the following details:

• History of the company/ Artist’s biography
• Budget of expenses / artist’s economic demands
• Detailed description of event

All the proposals are recorded and studied by the Cultural Committee.

Cultural Services of Larnaka Municipality:

Email: culturalservices@larnaka.com
Tel.: 24657745, 24629333
Fax.: 24627244

Larnaka Municipal Art Gallery
Tel: 24658848

Municipal Historical Archive – Larnaka Museum
Tel: 24629333

Municipal Museum of Palentology of Pierides – Tornaritis Foundation
Tel: 24628587

Municipal Museum of Natural History of Larnaka
Tel: 24652569
Email: nhmuseum@larnaka.com

Larnaka Municipal Theatre
Tel: 24665795

Pattichion Municipal Amphitheatre of Larnaka
Tel: 24629300 (24657745, 24629333)

Larnaka Municipal Library
Tel: 24654185
Email: bibliothiki.larnakas@cytanet.com.cy

According to the Town and Spatial Planning Law, the Local Plan of Larnaka was designed and entered into force by the Town Planning Department of the Ministry of Interior and this regulates and controls the balanced housing and land development in the wider area of Larnaka. According to the law Larnaka Municipality operates as “Town Planning Authority” within the municipal limits and it has the power to control and implement the Local Plan. The Municipality has the competence of issuing the Town Planning Permit to those whose applications fulfil the town planning, the unprecedented spatial and other regulations of the Local Plan. The submission of the application is made via a special form that can be found in another point of the websites of the Municipality, as well as you can find the Local Plan, and architectural plans, topographical plans and title deed are all needed in four copies.  The Municipality is obliged, according to the law, to issue the permit within 3 months.

The law about the listed buildings regards buildings for which a Maintenance Decree has been issued by the Minister of Interior based on the criteria, according to which these buildings have significant elements of our culture, history, architecture and our social heritage, or another special character. According to the law, any building intervention, alternations or demolition are not allowed on these buildings before ensuring a Special Renovation Permit, which is given at the consent of the Minister himself and after the application for town planning permit is firstly submitted at the Municipality.

The law about the ready-to-fall buildings is about buildings which have suffered irreparable damages due to the fact that they have been abandoned and they have not been maintained for many years and as a result they are in a really bad structural situation and they are dangerous for the life of the people living around them and the passengers. According to the abovementioned and after the inspection made by a specialized officer of the Municipality and his/her relevant detailed report, such a building is declared as ready to fall. The owner is directly notified and he/she is obliged, within a reasonable time, to fix the building or to demolish it after he/she again receives the relevant permit. If the building is a listed building, the owner is only allowed to support it or to renovate it. If the owner does not show the required interest at a regular interval, then the Municipality declares the building as one to be demolished, it notifies the owner via letters and an announcement in the press and after agreement with the Electricity Authority and the Water Board proceeds with the demolition and charges the expenses on the owner or the plot via the Lands and Surveys Department.

In order to issue a student certificate, a topographical plan and title deed of the building for which the certificate is asked, as well as the permit number of the building for the facilitation of the procedure are required.

The rubbish area is at the limits of Tersefanou village. Going to Limassol, you leave the highway at the exit to Klavdia village and by following the route towards Tersefanou village you meet the rubbish area at a distance of about one (1) kilometre.

The rubbish area works from Monday to Saturday from 5:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

All the areas within the municipal limits of Larnaka are served three times per week and according to the sector where the crews are, they remove the rubbish:

a) Monday – Wednesday – Friday
b) Tuesday – Thursday – Saturday

The rubbish are collected from 2:30 a.m.

The public is called to expose their rubbish for collection during the night hours of the previous day by using appropriate rubbish bins or containers.

It should be noted that the main axes in the traditional commercial centre are served on a daily basis.

For the removal of such objects and other materials the Municipality can serve you as follows:

a) After agreement with the competent officers in the Cleaning Department, placement of a container in an appropriate sport is arranged in order to avoid the traffic and/or other problems. The interested parties pay in advance the relevant fees which are defined by the Municipal Council.

It should be noted that these fees are reviewed when this is imposed.

b) Also, after agreement, Larnaka Municipality serves the interested citizens in the removal of a small amount of useless objects (e.g. a sofa, armchair, one-two chairs, one domestic appliance e.t.c.) with a truck.

The campaign for cleaning plots and other open areas usually starts in the second half term of May and it is completed in August. Also, it should be stated that in special cases, Larnaka Municipality proceeds with the cleaning of plots or other open areas at other periods.

During the last years, about 1500 plots and other public or private open areas are cleaned both by the crews of Larnaka Municipality and private individuals to whom the specific work is conferred via the tender procedure.

It should be stressed that the owners bear the exclusive responsibility for the cleaning of their plots.

For this reason, in case they cannot do this, Larnaka Municipality undertakes the cleaning of the plots and the owners pay for the relevant expense.

Pursuant to the Streets and Buildings Law and Regulations, Larnaka Municipality has the competency of issuing a Building Permit, for those who have ensured a Town Planning Permit. The Building Permit is about the special characteristics of each development within the municipal limits, such as the building coverage, the height of the building, the distances from the borders, the required parking areas, the aesthetic control of the building etc. The submission of the application is made via a special form that can be found in another point of the webpages of the Municipality. Two series of completed town planning permit, architectural plans, structural plans and estimations, electrical study, mechanical study and form from E.T.E.K. are required. The Municipality is obliged to issue a permit within 3 months.

The town and spatial planning law provides for measures for enforcing town planning control by Larnaka Municipality within the municipal limits. The “Enforcement Notice” is given in order to force those who have not a Town Planning Permit, to ensure this, and those who have it but they do not implement this to force them to implement it.

The Technical Services of Larnaka Municipality can consult about the provisions of the Local Plan any owner that would like to get information for the plot within the municipal limits, and as long as he/she brings the topographical plan of the plot and the title deed. The visiting hours for the public are Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 8:30 a.m. until 12 in the noon and on Thursdays afternoons from 3-5 p.m., except from the summer months June, July and August.

The campaign for removing seaweeds from beaches usually starts at the end of March or beginning of April. The main volume of seaweeds is usually removed until the end of April. But according to each time’s needs, the seaweeds are also later removed until the end of October and/or beginning of November.

The Municipality employs 28 street sweepers. Due to their limited number, priority is given for the Commercial Centre that is served on a daily basis. Other areas are occasionally served by street sweepers at a different frequency.

The mechanical sweepers mainly serve the big Avenues, other important road arteries and secondary streets under the condition that there are pavements in these. It should be mentioned that the work of both the street sweepers and the mechanical sweepers is negatively affected by many vehicles that are parked on the routes they cover.

In the last years, Larnaka Municipality provided a special crew for cleaning the pavements from wild vegetation etc during May to November.

But it seems that the abovementioned service is necessary all year round, thus this has been extended while the number of workers and equipment used has been significantly increased.

The cement open culvert (river) in the area of Prodomos is usually cleaned 8-10 times per year, especially during the summer months.

The culvert of Kalafatzion is cleaned 3-6 times per year or even more often when this is required.

By this chance, Larnaka Municipality calls the citizens of the around area to avoid throwing useless items and other impurities in the referred culverts in order to prove their sensitivity and interest about issues related to the environment and especially the appearance and comforts in their area.

The Final Approval Certificate is the last official document issued by Larnaka Municipality, which is required before the owner of the new development contacts the Department of Lands and Surveys to issue the relevant title deed. This certificate is issued after a relevant request after the completion of the building works and after the detailed control by the officer of the Municipality in order to check that the architectural plan and the terms of the Town Planning and Building Permit have been fully fulfilled. A development that has not Final Approval Certificate is considered as illegal.