Ministry of Municipalities and Housing has issued more than 38,000 occupancy certificates for buildings and structures in various regions of the Kingdom during the first half of 2026, compared to approximately 25,000 certificates during the same period last year—an increase of more than 13,000 certificates, and a growth rate of 55 percent.
The Ministry explained that the occupancy certificate represents one of the key stages in the construction and urban development cycle, and is issued after verifying that the building or facility meets the approved technical, regulatory, and municipal requirements, and confirming that it is ready for use and operation in accordance with applicable regulations.
It emphasized that the increase in the number of certificates issued coincided with the development of the municipal services system, the streamlining of procedures, and the expansion of digital services provided to beneficiaries, which contributed to accelerating the processing of applications and improving the beneficiary experience.
The Ministry noted that the occupancy permit reinforces compliance with municipal requirements and regulations, as well as the Saudi Building Code, and supports the safety and readiness of buildings for use, in addition to reducing visual disturbances and ensuring that sites are free of construction debris, explaining that the certificate is issued after the completion of construction and finishing work and verification that the approved requirements have been met.
It should be noted that the process for obtaining an occupancy certificate begins with selecting a building permit via the “Baladi” platform and designating an accredited engineering firm to complete the technical requirements and submit the engineering report, followed by a review of the application and an on-site inspection of the building by municipal authorities, before the certificate is approved and issued electronically after payment of the applicable fees.
