Law on Implementation of the Saudi Building Code

Purpose and scope

• Requires the Saudi Building Code to be applied to all construction in the public and private sectors, in design, execution, operation and maintenance, and to existing buildings when renovated, extended or changed in use (Article 2).

Key rules, rights and obligations

• The ministry monitors and oversees application of the code (Article 3), and the code is updated every five years (Article 5).
• Compliance with the code is a requirement for building, renovation, alteration or change-of-use permits (Article 6).

Violations, penalties and common problems

• A violator must remove or correct the violation within the set period, failing which it is referred to the committee (Article 10).
• If a violation is dangerous, work may be stopped, occupancy barred or the building evacuated until it is corrected, with referral to the committee within five working days (Article 11).
• Penalties: a fine of up to one million riyals per violation per building, suspension of the practice licence for one month to one year, or both (Article 12).

Procedures and key deadlines

• A committee in each region hears violations and imposes penalties, and its decisions may be challenged before the Board of Grievances (Article 14).
• It is wise to check that plans comply with the code before applying for a permit, to avoid later changes and fines.

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.