In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Council of Ministers Decision No. (376) dated 17/9/1435 AH
The Council of Ministers
After reviewing the correspondence received from the Royal Court No. 29633 dated 6/8/1434 AH, including the letter from the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers No. 781 dated 12/3/1430 AH, accompanied by the draft Law of Municipal Licensing Procedures.
After reviewing the minutes No. (327) dated 7/9/1426 AH, No. (223) dated 24/5/1427 AH, No. (249) dated 26/5/1429 AH, No. (332) dated 19/7/1429 AH, No. (126) dated 12/3/1430 AH, No. (461) dated 5/11/1432 AH, No. (41) dated 14/1/1435 AH, and No. (369) dated 13/6/1435 AH, prepared by the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers.
After considering the Shura Council decisions No. (147/75) dated 19/2/1432 AH, and No. (35/18) dated 12/6/1434 AH.
After reviewing the recommendation of the General Committee of the Council of Ministers No. (638) dated 7/7/1435 AH.
It is decided as follows:
First: Approval of the Law of Municipal Licensing Procedures, in the attached form.
A draft Royal Decree has been prepared accordingly, its text is attached hereto.
Second: To implement automated linkage between all relevant authorities responsible for executing this law, and to provide the necessary financial support for that.
Third: Nothing in this law shall prejudice the competencies assigned to the Ministry of Housing in accordance with the relevant laws and orders.
Fourth: The Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs shall submit to the Royal Court – within a period not exceeding four years starting from the date of enforcement of this law – a report on the need to open coordination offices in category (B) municipalities and any other observations it may have upon its implementation.
Deputy Prime Minister
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Royal Decree No. (M/59) dated 23/9/1435 AH
By the grace of Allah Almighty
We, Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud
King of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Based onArticle (Seventy) of the Basic Law of Governanceissued by Royal Order No. (A/90) dated 27/8/1412 AH.
Based onArticle (Twenty) of the Law of the Council of Ministersissued by Royal Order No. (A/13) dated 3/3/1414 AH.
Based onArticle (Eighteen) of the Law of the Shura Councilissued by Royal Order No. (A/91) dated 27/8/1412 AH.
After reviewing the Shura Council decisions No. (147/75) dated 19/2/1432 AH, and No. (35/18) dated 12/6/1434 AH.
After reviewing the Council of Ministers decision No. (376) dated 17/9/1435 AH.
We decree the following:
First: Approval of the Law of Municipal Licensing Procedures, in the attached form.
Second: It is incumbent upon His Highness the Deputy Prime Minister, the Ministers, and the heads of the relevant independent authorities – each within his jurisdiction – to implement this Royal Decree.
Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud
Law of Municipal Licensing Procedures
Article 1
The following words and phrases shall have the meanings set forth opposite each of them, unless the context requires otherwise:
Law:Law of Municipal Licensing Procedures.
Regulation:Implementing Regulation of the Law.
Ministry:Ministry of Municipalities and Housing or the municipalities or municipal councils, as applicable.
Minister:Minister of Municipalities and Housing.
Competent Government Agency:Any ministry, authority, or public institution, or its equivalent, competent—pursuant to its regulations—to supervise a specific activity that requires a license to be issued by that agency for its practice.
Municipal License:A written approval from the Ministry to a natural or legal person to construct or open a place for any activity at a specific location, in accordance with the conditions specified in the Law of Municipalities and Rural Areas and its related regulations.
License of the Competent Government Agency:A written approval to a natural or legal person to practice a certain activity.
Article 2
No activity may be engaged in without a municipal license as well as a license from the competent government agency, as the case may be, in accordance with laws and regulations.
Article 3
The Ministry shall be in charge of issuing, amending, renewing, revoking and suspending municipal licenses for all kinds of activities.
Article 4
The competent government agency shall set conditions and requirements for engagement in activities within its oversight, and shall issue, amend, renew or revoke such licenses.
Article 5
A. The Ministry shall issue a municipal license upon completion of all procedures within a period not exceeding 10 business days from the date of filing the application. If the application is denied, the denial shall be reasoned and in writing. Correspondence with the applicant shall be on the address specified in the application.
B. In case a municipal license requires the applicant’s compliance with certain obligations, the Ministry shall issue a provisional license upon satisfying statutory conditions. Such provisional license may not be revoked unless the applicant fails to comply with such obligations. The Regulations shall set forth procedures for obtaining such license and its duration.
Article 6
The Ministry shall collect municipal fees and fines, and the competent government agency shall collect its own fees and fines in accordance with relevant laws and regulations.
Article 7
A. The Regulations shall designate the authority in charge of issuing, suspending, revoking, renewing or amending municipal licenses in accordance with relevant laws, regulations and instructions.
B. The regulations of the competent government agency shall designate the authority in charge of issuing, suspending, revoking, renewing or amending a license for engagement in an activity within its oversight, in accordance with relevant laws, regulations and instructions.
Article 8
The Ministry may, in accordance with applicable laws, facilitate the procedures for issuing municipal licenses by outsourcing services to engineering consulting houses and private firms.
Article 9
The Regulations shall set the municipal license term according to the type of activity. The license shall be renewable for a similar term or terms upon satisfaction of conditions and requirements.