• The following terms and phrases - wherever they appear in this law - shall have the meanings indicated opposite each of them, unless the context requires otherwise:

  • Ministry:Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs.

  • Municipal Body:The Secretariat or Municipality.

  • Center:Saudi Building Code Center.

  • Code:Saudi Building Code, which is a set of requirements and conditions along with its implementing regulations and appendices related to construction and building to ensure safety and public health.

  • Law:Law on Implementation of the Saudi Building Code.

  • Regulations:Implementing regulations of the law.

  • Building/Structure:What is constructed and equipped for use and occupancy, and has a classification in the code.

  • Designer:The natural or legal person licensed, who is commissioned by the owner to conduct studies and designs to meet his needs and requests according to the code.

  • Executor (Contractor):The natural or legal person licensed, who is commissioned by the owner to execute construction, installation, operation, or maintenance works according to the code.

  • Supervisor:The natural or legal person licensed who is commissioned by the owner to perform supervision works.

  • Building Permit:A construction permit issued by the municipal body.

  • Occupancy Certificate:A permit for occupying the building issued by the municipal body after ensuring its compliance with the code.

  • Practice License:A permit issued by the competent authority to individuals, bodies, institutions, and companies to practice studies and designs, or execution or supervision works, according to the code.

  • Relevant Authorities:The concerned government authorities according to their jurisdiction in monitoring the application of the code, which are: Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs, Ministry of Interior (General Directorate of Civil Defense), Ministry of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources, and Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization.

  • Violation:Any intentional or unintentional breach of the code.

  • Serious Violation:Any violation of the code that results in endangering lives or property.

• 1. The Code shall apply to all construction works in the public and private sectors, including the works of design, construction, operation, maintenance, and modification of a building. It shall also apply to existing buildings in case of restoration, change of use, expansion or modification

• 2. The Code shall be gradually applied as determined by the Regulations within a period not exceeding five years from the date of the Law’s entry into force.

• 3. No code, other than the Saudi Code, shall be applied after the gradual application of the Law as stipulated in paragraph 2 of this Article.

• Without prejudice to the right of other relevant agencies to exercise their powers in accordance with their laws, the Ministry shall monitor the implementation of the Code.

• Amendments to the code are issued by a decision of the Minister of Municipalities and Housing.

• The code is updated and reissued every five years by a decision of the Minister of Municipalities and Housing.

• After the gradual application of the Law, as stipulated in Article 2(2) of the Law, compliance with the Code shall be a requirement for obtaining a permit for construction, restoration, modification, or change of use.

• Design, supervision, and execution of works shall be in accordance with contracts concluded with licensed specialists.

1- Each of the designer, the contractor, and the supervisor is obligated to execute the tasks assigned to them in accordance with the code.
2- The designer supervising the construction, and the contractor, shall be jointly responsible for compensating the owner for any total or partial collapse that occurs within a specified period regarding the constructed building, and for any defect that threatens the durability and safety of the building, including hidden defects. The regulations shall specify the necessary provisions for this.

Occupancy of the building is not permitted except by virtue of an occupancy certificate according to the classification of occupancy stated in the code, in accordance with the procedures and timeframes specified by the regulations.

• Any person violating the Code shall, upon notification, remove or rectify the violation in accordance with the Code within a period set by the relevant agency.

• If the violator fails to remove or rectify the violation within the specified period, the relevant agency shall refer the matter to the committee stipulated in Article 14 of the Law as determined by the Regulations.