Public Decency Regulations

Purpose and scope

• Applies to everyone in public places (Article 2) and requires respect for the values, customs, traditions and culture of the Kingdom (Article 3).

Key rules, rights and obligations

• Appearing in public in immodest clothing, or clothing bearing images or words offensive to public taste, is not allowed (Article 4).
• Writing or drawing on walls or fixtures of public places or on transport without a permit is not allowed (Article 5).
• No words or acts that harm, frighten or endanger people in public places are allowed (Article 6).

Violations, penalties and common problems

• The fine may not exceed five thousand riyals under the violations table, and is doubled if the same violation is repeated within a year (Article 8 as amended).
• The Ministry of Interior classifies violations and sets their fines in a table issued by decision (Article 9).

Procedures and key deadlines

• A person fined may challenge the decision before the competent administrative court (Article 8).
• Licensed private security companies may be authorised to carry out some enforcement work (Article 7).

An advisory summary prepared by Al-Bayan Al-Wadih Law Firm. It is not an official text and does not replace the law, its implementing regulations, or advice from a specialised lawyer. The official published text and its amendments prevail.