The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing is making significant efforts to streamline procedures and standardize requirements related to new building permits, in line with the Saudi Building Code to ensure public safety and health and improve the urban landscape. It recently issued updated requirements for the construction of residential buildings.
According to the Ministry, these requirements aim to meet the expectations of beneficiaries in accordance with international best practices, in order to raise the quality of life, encourage investment, and improve the urban environment in Saudi cities. It noted that the new requirements are in line with the strategic objectives of the master plans for all cities in the Kingdom.
The updated requirements include a number of provisions that facilitate the process for beneficiaries and ensure their safety, including:
- Increasing the building coverage ratio for residential villas, residential buildings, and administrative buildings.
- Reducing setbacks for residential villas.
- Increasing the heights of residential villas, side walls, and roof parapets.
- Increasing the building coverage ratios for all floors, including the upper annex.
- Allowing construction within the setbacks on the ground floor on all sides.
The requirements also mandate compliance with public health and safety standards in accordance with the Saudi Building Code, taking into account material specifications, construction quality, and relevant guidelines and codes.
