The Minister of Municipal Affairs andWater and Housing, Majid bin Abdullah Al-Hogail, on the adoption of the regulations governing excavation permits, which shall take effect as of the date of their publication in the Official Gazette, and which repeals any provisions that conflict with them.

In its latest issue, published yesterday, Friday, that the terms and conditions of these regulations apply to the coordination of public utility services for issuing excavation permits within the city’s urban area under the municipality’s supervision through a service that coordinates all work related to excavation, in coordination with the relevant authorities.

Texts and Articles Excavation Permit Regulations:

Chapter One
Definitions and Scope
Article 1:
Definition of Terms and Scope
The following terms and phrases, wherever they appear in these regulations, shall have the meanings indicated opposite each, unless the context requires otherwise.
The Ministry: The Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing.
The Minister: The Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing.
The Law: The Municipalities and Villages Law.
Regulations: Excavation Permit Regulations.
Municipality: The municipal secretariat or municipality, as the case may be.
Baladi Platform: A unified electronic platform that provides municipal services throughout the Kingdom.
Coordination: The process of organizing excavation site operations through a coordination service between the entity requesting the permit and the relevant authorities, with the aim of avoiding any damage, obstacles, or duplication that may result from the excavation process; this is a prerequisite for issuing excavation permits.
Project Coordination Office: The office within the municipal secretariat or municipality responsible for issuing, coordinating, and approving excavation permits in collaboration with relevant authorities.
Nasik Service: A unified electronic service provided through the Baladi platform to carry out various services related to excavation work, such as coordinating excavation activities and issuing, extending, and revoking excavation permits for permit applicants.
Relevant Authorities: These are the authorities with which coordination takes place through the “Naseeq” service to issue excavation permits.
License Applicant: The entity that submits an application for an excavation permit and is responsible for submitting a coordination request to the relevant authorities as necessary.
Contractor: The entity that carries out the actual excavation work on-site; it must be accredited in accordance with the Ministry’s regulations and is affiliated with the license applicant.
Accredited Consulting Firm: A firm accredited by the Ministry to provide supervision and consulting services, with expertise in the various stages of excavation work implementation.
Updated Road Cross-Section Guide: An approved guide published on the Ministry’s website that outlines the routes, sections, intersections, and excavation depths for excavation work for entities applying for a permit.
Drilling Permits: Regulatory documents issued by the Project Coordination Office that grant approval to conduct drilling operations at a specific drilling site in accordance with the applicable regulations and requirements.
Emergency Drilling Permits: These are approvals of preliminary notifications to commence emergency drilling operations, issued via the platform by the entity requesting the permit within the 24-hour submission period.
Excavation Work: A set of works aimed at extending, renovating, or maintaining utility lines for electricity, water, telecommunications, sanitation, or other services, carried out along one or more adjacent routes.
Road Works: Works related to roads and streets for the purposes of implementing, constructing, paving, rehabilitating, asphalting, or constructing sidewalks on roads and streets.
Stormwater Drainage Network and Main Utility Transmission Line Works: Works involving the excavation of roads and streets for the purpose of extending the stormwater drainage network or the main transmission lines for desalinated water, wastewater conveyance, or high-voltage electrical lines.
Building connections: Any connection requested for a structure built for residential, commercial, or industrial use
or as a warehouse … or otherwise.
New Plans: Plans for which municipal permits are issued in accordance with municipal standards and conditions.
Maintained streets: These are streets that have cracks, potholes, or excavations that have been improperly filled, causing the street surface to sink.
Standard open-cut trenching: This is a method used to lay large-diameter cables and pipes underground.
Precision open-cut trenching: This is a method used to lay small-diameter cables and pipes underground, with a trench width ranging from 10 to 20 cm.
Ultra-Precision Open-Cut Trenching: This method is used to lay small-diameter cables and pipes underground, with trench widths ranging from 2 to 8 cm.
Closed-Trench Excavation: Closed-trench excavation technology is widely used beneath major streets and public intersections to install and establish infrastructure services.
Horizontal drilling: The process of creating a horizontal underground tunnel to install utilities without damaging the street surface.
Certificate of Completion of Excavation Work: A document certifying the completion of excavation work, issued after verification of the quality of the work performed.
Certificate of Release: A document certifying that the warranty on the excavation has expired after the two-year period has elapsed.
Quality Laboratory: An independent entity that conducts the required tests and inspections, contracted by the facility owners applying for the permit, provided that it is accredited by the municipal authority.
Traffic Plan: An organizational plan for alternative routes during the excavation period in the work area.
Public Services Requiring Excavation Work: This refers to education, health, and administrative services, as well as all above-ground services, even if they are part of a utility facility.
Public Utility: This refers to networks (roads, electricity, water, telecommunications, sewage, stormwater drainage, gas), etc., as well as any new networks in addition to roads of all types.
Public utility works: These are all works that include excavation and road construction.
Fees: These are the fees prescribed in the Municipal Services Fee Schedule.
Fines: Penalties specified in the Regulations on Penalties for Municipal Violations and related matters.
Article 2:
Scope of Application of the Regulations
The provisions and conditions of these regulations apply to the coordination of public utility services for the issuance of excavation permits within the city’s built-up area under the municipality’s supervision through a coordination service for all works related to excavation, in coordination with the relevant authorities.
Excluded from this is the Riyadh region, which is governed by Cabinet Decision No. (902) dated 30 Dhu al-Hijjah 1444 AH, approving the establishment of the Riyadh Region Infrastructure Projects Center in accordance with the regulatory provisions accompanying the decision.
Chapter Two
Excavation Permit Procedures
Article 3:
Types of Excavation Work and Permits
First: Types of Excavation Work
1- General excavation work.
2- Road works.
3- Stormwater drainage network works and main utility transmission lines.
4- Horizontal drilling.
Second: Types of Excavation Permits
(Regular – Emergency – Multiple – Building Connections – New Plans).
Third: Types of Excavation
A. Open Excavation:
1- Standard open-cut trenching.
2- Precision/ultra-precision open-cut trenching.
3- Vertical trenching and wells.
B. Closed-cut trenching (horizontal drilling):
1- Directional horizontal drilling.
2- Narrow horizontal drilling.
3- Drilling using pipe jacking technology.
Article 4:
Conditions for Issuing Excavation Permits
The Project Coordination Office shall issue drilling permits in accordance with the following:
1- Submission of an application by the entity requesting the permit.
2- Commitment by the entity requesting the permit to ensure the quality of the drilling.
3- Approval of the license by the relevant authorities.
4- Compliance with the technical requirements issued by the Ministry, including adherence to the timeframes specified in the issued permits, adherence to the route length specified in the permit, and adherence to the coordination agreements reached between the permit applicant and the relevant authorities.
5- Supervision must be provided by the license applicant’s accredited consulting firm.
6- Municipal fines—if any—must be paid within a period not exceeding 60 days.
7- The guidelines (updated road section) must be followed.
8- A traffic plan (approved by the traffic departments) must be submitted in the event of a street closure or a change in traffic flow.
9- The duration of permits for roadwork must not exceed 150 days for highways and 300 days for main, secondary, and local streets; the municipality may extend the permit duration provided that the extension does not exceed the project’s implementation period.
10- The duration of permits for general excavation work must not exceed thirty days for highways and sixty days for all other roads, as well as main, secondary, and local streets; and all types of roads in the central areas of the cities of Makkah and Madinah shall be treated as highways.
Article 5:
Mechanism and Duration of Coordination for Excavation Permit Applications
The entity requesting the permit shall submit applications for excavation permits via the “Naseeq” service through the “Baladi” platform, provided that the application is accepted electronically within 48 hours. The Project Coordination Office may, upon approval by the Secretary, extend the period by an additional 24 hours, not to exceed 72 working hours of coordination per permit.
Article 6:
Procedures and Conditions for Excavation Permits
The procedures for applying for excavation permits (regular, emergency, multiple, building connections, and new plans) shall be as follows:
First: Issuance of Regular Excavation Permits:
1- Regular excavation permits shall be issued in accordance with the conditions set forth in Article 4 of these regulations.
2- The processing time for issuing permits for complete applications shall not exceed a maximum of five working days.
3- The number of drilling routes must not exceed 5, and the distance between routes must not exceed 50 meters.
4- The total length of the drilling routes must not exceed 1 kilometer.
5- Upon submission of a drilling permit application, payment must be made within 3 days after approval by the relevant authorities and the Project Coordination Office; failure to pay within the specified period will result in the cancellation of the application.
Second: Issuance of Coordination for Multiple Excavations:
Approval covering a group of excavations (work sites) is issued by the Project Coordination Office and the relevant authorities in preparation for the subsequent issuance of excavation permits for each excavation (pre-coordinated excavation permits) in accordance with the following:
A. Issuance of a Multiple Coordination Report:
1. The entity requesting the permit submits a multi-excavation coordination request after verifying the accuracy of all data and reviewing the service requirements.
2. All relevant authorities review the request and provide feedback within 72 hours.
3- A multi-excavation coordination report is issued, and the entity requesting the permit is notified.
4- The multi-excavation coordination report is printed.
B. Issuance of Excavation Permits for Previously Coordinated Excavations:
1- Identify the site for which coordination was requested (for which a multi-excavation coordination report has been issued).
2- Submit the application for a previously coordinated excavation permit after reviewing the service requirements.
3- Excavation permits are issued, and the applicant is notified after the fees are paid within the specified period.
4- The permit is printed.
Third: Issuing Excavation Permits for Building and Utility Connections:
Excavation permits for multiple building and utility connections are issued under a single excavation permit in accordance with the following:
1- Excavation permits for building and utility connections are issued in accordance with the conditions set forth in Article 4 of these regulations.
2- The processing time for issuing the permit shall not exceed 24 hours from the date of application submission, and payment must be made within 24 hours of the date the application is accepted.
3- The number of excavation routes per permit shall not exceed 5.
4- The total length of excavations for building and utility connections must not exceed 125 meters, at a rate of 25 meters per trench.
5- The validity period of a drilling permit for building and utility connections must not exceed 10 business days.
6- Proof of property ownership must be attached as part of the requirements.
7- The route specified in excavation permits for building and utility connections cannot be modified.
8- Excavation permits for building and utility connections cannot be suspended.
IV. Licensing Procedures (Standard – Multiple):
A. Modification of Excavation Permits:
The service to amend excavation permits may be requested by the permit applicant regarding excavation routes, the work plan, attachments, or the work crew, either before or after excavation begins, and shall be in accordance with the following:
1- The request must be submitted by the entity applying for the permit.
2- Enter the permit number and date.
3- The reason for and type of amendment must be specified.
4- The actual percentage of completion must be specified.
5- The specific undertakings (via the Nassiq service) regarding the amendment to the excavation permit must be approved.
6- Approval from the relevant authorities is required if the excavation route is amended and there is an overlap with other entities.
7- After submitting the amendment request, a representative of the Secretariat/Municipality will conduct a site visit within 24 hours of the request’s submission, if work is underway, to verify the percentage of completion.
8- Upon approval by the relevant authorities, any amendment fees—if applicable—must be paid within two days.
9- Excavation permits are updated following the amendment.
B. Extension of Excavation Permits:
If the work is not completed within the time period specified in the issued permit, the following shall apply:
1- A request to extend the duration of the excavation permit must be submitted through the “Naseeq” service by the entity requesting the permit, after entering the permit details and stating the reason for the extension request.
2- The extension period must not exceed half the duration of the original permit.
3- In the event of a conflict with another permit, coordination with the relevant authorities will take place.
4- Fees must be paid within two business days if the extension is approved.
5- New drilling permits will be issued after payment is made.
C. Postponement of the Start Date for Drilling Permits:
If work has not commenced within the time period specified in the issued permits, the following applies:
1- A request to postpone the start of drilling operations must be submitted by the entity applying for the permit after entering the permit details and stating the reasons for the delay.
2- The requested postponement period must not exceed 48 hours from the date of issuance.
3- The postponement may be granted only once.
4- The request must be submitted before the license expires, no more than 30% of the licensed period remains, and no less than 5 business days before the initial license expiration date.
5- The request shall be submitted to the Project Coordination Office and relevant authorities for approval of the postponement of commencement.
D. Suspension of drilling permits by the permit applicant through the Project Coordination Office:
Drilling permits shall be suspended if the permit applicant submits a valid and justifiable request, in accordance with the following:
1- The request must be submitted by the applicant.
2- The license number and date must be entered.
3- The number of suspension requests must not exceed two during the license period, and the total number of days for both requests must not exceed 5 days.
4- The license shall be updated following the amendment.
E. Suspension of the license by the Project Coordination Office:
Drilling licenses are suspended by the Project Coordination Office in cases that threaten public safety and in emergency situations, in accordance with the following:
1- The request is submitted by the Project Coordination Office.
2- The permit number and date are entered.
3- The reason for the suspension is stated.
4- The start date of the suspension and its duration are entered.
5- The permit is rescheduled according to the suspension period and updated after rescheduling.
F. Resumption of Drilling Permits:
Drilling permits are resumed after suspension in one of the following cases:
1- The permit applicant must submit a resumption request before the suspension period expires.
2- The permit is automatically reinstated upon expiration of the suspension period, and the permit applicant is notified accordingly.
G. Cancellation of Drilling Permits:
A drilling permit is revoked in the following cases, with no fees charged:
1- If drilling operations have not commenced.
2- If requested by the permit applicant.
3- If the work is not carried out at the site.
H. Closure of Drilling Permits:
Drilling permits are closed in two main stages: completion of drilling work and site clearance, in accordance with the following procedures:
A. Site Clearance for Drilling Work:
1- After the Secretariat issues approval of the site clearance certificate.
2- Payment of municipal fees and fines—if any.
3- Closure of the permit and release of the security deposit.
4. The contractor must not have caused any damage to public utilities.
B. Clearance by the Authority:
1. Payment of municipal fees and fines, if any.
2. Confirmation of the municipality’s approval of the clearance.

3- Issuance of a clearance certificate.
Fifth: Issuance of Emergency Excavation Permits:
Emergency excavation permits are issued in accordance with the following:
1- Submission of an application for an emergency excavation permit.
2- The contractor affiliated with the entity requesting the permit must verify the presence of a break or cut in the underground utilities at the emergency excavation site.
3- There must be a danger posing a threat to property and lives.
4- The location of the emergency must be documented before, during, and after the emergency excavation work and reported to the Nasq service.
5- The duration of emergency work must not exceed 72 hours, and the length of the excavation must not exceed 50 meters for linear excavations or 80 meters for L-shaped excavations.
6- The time required to complete closure procedures must not exceed 15 days; if the closure procedures are rejected by the laboratory, the additional days will be charged to the entity requesting the permit.
7- Emergency excavation permits must not be used for purposes other than those specified.
8- Emergency drilling permits are issued through the Nasq service, and permit applicants must complete the required information on the platform within 24 hours of the notice’s issuance.
9- Emergency permits may not be extended, and no emergency excavation work may be converted to routine work.
10- A temporary traffic plan must be developed in coordination with the Traffic Department and submitted in the event of route changes or road closures; the traffic plan must be approved by the Traffic Department.
11- A site safety and security plan must be submitted, provided that it complies with the requirements of the Traffic Control Manual and the Manual for Temporary Barriers in Work Zones.
12- If an application for approval of the preliminary notice is submitted, payment must be made within 24 hours of approval by the Project Coordination Office; failure to pay within the specified period will result in the cancellation of the application.
VI. Issuance of Permits for New Plans:
Permits for new plans shall be issued in accordance with the following:
1. Enter the owner’s information.
2. Enter the plan number and date.
3- Enter the details of all contractors: prime and subcontractors.
4- Enter the details of all consultants: prime and subcontractors.
5- Enter the road section details.
6- The facility details are entered according to the approved database.
7- The site details are entered.
8- Enter the plan details.
9- Enter the deed details.
10- If a drilling permit application is submitted, there will be no fees for the drilling work.
Article 7:
Maintained Streets
Streets shall be maintained in accordance with the following:
1- The relevant authorities must be notified of the street maintenance plan, and the entity requesting the permit shall be given a specified deadline to complete all excavation work.
2- Streets and roads must be milled and repaved from curb to curb along their entire length, and repaving shall be carried out according to the priority and importance of the street or road, based on the classifications approved and agreed upon by the municipalities.
Article 8:
Obligations of the Permit Applicant and Relevant Authorities
A. Permit Applicant:
1- The license applicant must submit the as-built drawings for the excavation work and clearly attach them to the Nasq service after the excavation work is completed.
2- The license applicant must upload the facility data in accordance with the approved land database before commencing excavation work.
3- The license applicant must upload project photos to the Nassiq service.
4- The license applicant must engage an accredited consulting firm to supervise their work, and the firm’s responsibilities shall include the following:
‌a- Supervising monitoring and implementation in accordance with the forms and reports approved by the Ministry, which must be uploaded to the Nassiq service by an approved consulting firm in accordance with the phases of excavation work.
‌b- The accredited consulting firm must take into account visual impact factors in accordance with the stages of work implementation.
‌C. Detailed reports on field visits shall be submitted via the “Nassq” service by the consulting firm.
B. Obligations of the Relevant Authorities:
1. Municipalities must provide their future plans for preventive excavation work and roads, as well as future plans for new infrastructure projects, on an annual basis (calendar year) unless otherwise agreed (quarterly or semi-annually); such agreements shall be determined based on operational needs and the Ministry’s directives.
2- Relevant authorities must cooperate with municipalities regarding excavation work related to road maintenance in accordance with the Ministry’s regulations and requirements.
Article 9:
Authority Regarding Excavation Permits
1- Project Coordination Offices are authorized to approve, extend, suspend, resume, amend, or revoke permits.
2- The traffic plan must be approved by the General Directorate of Traffic if the excavation requires the closure of a street.
Article 10:
Site Restriction Mechanism
Government agencies may request a restriction on a specific site after submitting the reasons in accordance with the following:
1- The restricted site shall be specified.
2- The duration of the restriction shall be specified.
3- Approval must be obtained from the Secretary.
4- If excavation work is taking place at the restricted site, the entity requesting the permit shall coordinate with the entity requesting the restriction.
Article 11:
Fees and Fines
1- The Regulations on Penalties for Municipal Violations shall apply to violations of the provisions of these Regulations.
2- The fees set forth in the Schedule of Fees for Municipal Services shall apply to the provisions of these regulations.
Article 12:
Grievances and Complaints Committee
In the event of an appeal or complaint, it shall be submitted to the Secretariat in accordance with established procedures for consideration by the Appeals and Complaints Committee as provided for in the Municipal Licensing Procedures Regulation and its implementing regulations.
Chapter Three:
General Provisions
Article 13:
General Provisions
1- The General Directorate for Project Coordination shall update the requirements and applications pertaining to the conditions for issuing excavation permits.
2- No excavation permits shall be issued or amended prior to approval by the Project Coordination Office and the relevant authorities.
3- Public property must not be encroached upon during on-site work with the intent to unlawfully benefit from its services.
4- The party affected by the excavation work shall be notified via the Nasq service, and relevant authorities shall be notified of emergency excavation work.
5- The contractor must post a notice regarding road excavation work before commencing such work, for facilities located on the same road.
6- The length of the excavation work must not exceed what is specified in the permit.
7- Visual impact must be taken into account, and the work site must be kept clean throughout the excavation work until its completion.
8- A municipal inspector shall monitor the excavation work after the excavation permits have been obtained by conducting on-site visits as required by the nature of the work.
9- The entity applying for the permit shall guarantee the excavation work for a period of two years from the date the permit is closed.
10- The entity applying for the permit must maintain the excavation in the event of subsidence or damage to the excavation site during the warranty period.
11- The license applicant must comply with the governance guidelines set forth in the manuals issued by the Ministry.
12- The license applicant must comply with the governance guidelines for the work of the regulatory committees of the coordination offices and their liaison with the Ministry and the Municipal Project Coordination Office.
13- The license applicant must comply with the intersections, roles, and responsibilities set forth in the requirements issued by the Ministry.
14- The Secretariat’s Coordination Office has the right to prevent the entity applying for a permit from awarding excavation work to a contractor who has not closed out existing permits for technical or procedural reasons until the contractor rectifies the situation, in accordance with the guidelines and regulations issued by the Ministry.
15- The entity applying for the permit shall bear the costs of any damage to other utility networks should such damage become apparent after the completion of excavation work, provided it is proven that the damage occurred as a result of the work carried out at the site.
16- The contractor shall bear the costs of any damage to other networks during work at the excavation site, if the contractor is the cause of the damage.
17- Real estate developers of new projects within the urban area must comply with the requirements for utility corridors (updated Road Section Manual).
18- Personal protective equipment must be used, and occupational safety procedures and instructions must be followed by on-site workers, taking into account the unimpeded passage of emergency vehicles (e.g., Civil Defense, Red Crescent, etc.) during the execution of such excavation work, so as not to create an obstacle that directly hinders or delays emergency response to incidents.
19- These regulations are technically based on the general provisions, requirements, and guidelines issued by the Ministry of Municipal, Rural Affairs, and Housing.
20- In the event of a violation of the provisions of these regulations, the Regulations on Penalties for Municipal Violations shall apply.
Article 14:
1- The Ministry shall issue the necessary guidelines to clarify these regulations.
2- These regulations supersede any provisions that conflict with them.