The Riyadh Region Secretariat announced the postponement of the implementation of the decision regarding planning specifications and requirements for parking lots issued by the High Commission for the Development of Riyadh. In a circular, the Secretariat clarified, a copy of which was received by “Amlak Real Estate Newspaper,” that it is postponing implementation of the decision until it undergoes further study to find appropriate solutions and overcome the difficulties municipalities have faced in applying the requirements due to variations in area sizes, types of activities, and their different locations within the city.

In addition, in the circular, the Secretariat called on owners of existing critical sites—including restaurants, furnished apartments, schools, institutes, medical centers, gyms, and luxury facilities—whose areas exceed 900 square meters to contract with specialized companies to manage their parking lots or to lease adjacent land and designate it as their own private parking lots. The circular also directed government agencies, public departments, and sub-municipalities to identify sites suitable for public parking, study them, and offer them for investment.

It is worth noting that the Riyadh Municipality had previously issued a decision prohibiting the issuance of business licenses to existing commercial establishments for a number of activities unless they comply with the provision of parking spaces in accordance with the schedule of planning requirements and specifications.