Obtaining a building permit in the city of Riyadh is a mandatory statutory and electronic procedure issued via the “Balady” platform affiliated with the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing, in cooperation with the Riyadh Region Municipality and an accredited engineering consultancy office. It verifies that residential or commercial facilities comply with approved structural and architectural blueprints, Saudi Building Code (SBC) requirements, and Civil Defense safety standards, and it grants the owner a legal document to begin excavation and construction work.
The Electronic Platform for Submitting a Building Permit Application in Riyadh
The official approved platform for submitting and issuing building permits in Riyadh and across all cities of the Kingdom is the Balady Platform.
The Balady platform integrates digitally with multiple entities, including the Unified National Access (Nafath), the Ministry of Justice to verify title deeds, the Saudi Council of Engineers to verify the accreditation of engineering personnel, and the insurance entities to issue the latent defects insurance policy. Paper-based submissions are completely rejected within the Riyadh Region Municipality or its sub-municipalities; transactions are managed digitally from inception until printing the permit document embedded with a Quick Response (QR) Code.
Requirements for Obtaining a Building Permit in Riyadh
Riyadh Region Municipality enforces strict regulatory and technical requirements before approving the issuance of a building permit:
Validity of the Electronic Title Deed: The land must be owned via an updated electronic deed issued by the Ministry of Justice, free of suspensions or legal disputes.
Availability of a Valid Electronic Survey Decision: Obtaining a survey decision for the plot through land surveying and survey decision issuance that matches boundaries, dimensions, and street lines on-site.
Accredited Soil Investigation Report: Conducting geotechnical boreholes and laboratory tests by an accredited testing laboratory in Riyadh to determine the founding level and allowable bearing capacity.
Contracting a Design Engineering Firm and a Supervising Firm: Entrusting blueprint preparation to an accredited consultancy firm and contracting an engineering supervision office responsible for submitting concrete casting stage reports subsequently.
Latent Defects Insurance Policy: Payment and issuance of the mandatory 10-year latent defects insurance policy for buildings subject to the residential building code through Malath Insurance Company.
Contracting an Accredited Building Contractor: Registering details of a contractor registered with the Saudi Contractors Authority and classified to execute the project.
Compliance with Setbacks and Building Ratios: Applying the regulations of the Wadi Hanifa Code, the Salmani Architectural Style guidelines, or setback regulations approved by Riyadh Municipality for each residential district.
Documents and Records Required to Obtain a Building Permit in Riyadh
Before initiating submission via the platform, the following list of official and technical documents must be prepared:
Copy of the updated electronic real estate title deed.
Copy of the owner’s National ID card or Commercial Registration for companies.
The approved electronic survey decision for the plot.
The technical geotechnical soil investigation report in PDF format issued by a qualified laboratory.
Complete execution engineering blueprints in DWG and PDF formats via architectural and engineering consultancy services, including:
Architectural blueprints (floor plans, elevations, and sections).
Structural blueprints (foundations, tie beams, columns, and slabs per SBC 1101 code).
Electrical and lighting plans, as well as plumbing, water supply, and drainage plans (MEP).
Fire protection and life safety plans for commercial buildings and multi-story structures.
Electronically signed engineering supervision contract.
Statutorily registered construction contracting agreement.
Paid preliminary latent defects insurance policy.
Method of Obtaining a Building Permit in Riyadh Online (Application Steps)
The permit issuance process via the Balady platform consists of two integrated operational stages: the first is conducted by the owner to authorize the office, and the second is executed by the engineering office to review data and certify:
First: Owner Steps via Balady Platform
Access the “Balady” portal and log in through the Unified National Access (Nafath).
Select “Building Permit Services” from the electronic services menu, then click “Issue Building Permit”.
Define the applicant’s capacity (owner, authorized representative, entity representative) and select the municipality (Riyadh Region Municipality) and the designated sub-municipality covering the land plot.
Select the designated survey decision to populate site location details automatically.
Specify the building category (residential, commercial, administrative, industrial) and the permit type (new construction, completion, amendment, addition).
Select and authorize the accredited design engineering consultancy (such as Madarej Engineering Consultants) and authorize the supervision office.
Submit the application electronically to route directly to the engineering firm’s portal account.
Second: Engineering Consultancy Office Steps
Accept the request, study the file, and verify blueprint compliance with Riyadh Municipality zoning regulations and the Building Code.
Upload architectural and structural designs and calculate built-up areas for each level (ground, first, upper annex, basement).
Attach the soil test report and the coordination certificate with the Saudi Electricity Company.
Transmit project metrics to the insurance company system to assess the latent defects policy premium.
Audit and endorse the application by the certified consultant and dispatch it to the municipality for final endorsement or immediate certification for residential permits.
Third: Bill Settlement and Permit Printing
The property owner receives a notification with a SADAD bill number covering municipal licensing fees and inspection costs.
Upon payment through the “SADAD” service, the permit is issued immediately, becoming available for download and printing via the Balady portal.
Are you planning to construct a villa or commercial facility in Riyadh and seeking rapid permit issuance? The engineers at Madarej Engineering Consultants undertake the preparation of building code-compliant blueprints, issuance of survey decisions, and immediate building permits without delay. Contact Madarej’s engineering team to initiate your project’s permitting process.
Cost of Obtaining a Building Permit in Riyadh and Applicable Fees
The costs of obtaining a building permit in Riyadh are divided into standardized government fees and supporting technical service charges, detailed as follows:
Expected Timeline for Obtaining a Building Permit in Riyadh
The timeframe for issuing the permit varies based on the approved track of the project:
Immediate Residential Building Permit (Private Villas): Issued within 24 to 72 business hours once soil report requirements, blueprint uploads by the accredited engineering office, and SADAD invoice settlements are finalized, with approval granted directly without municipal engineer intervention.
Commercial and Mixed-Use Building Permits: Takes between 7 to 15 business days due to prior auditing by Riyadh Municipality engineers and review of fire safety networks by the General Directorate of Civil Defense.
Major Development Projects and Master Plans: Subject to review by urban planning committees, taking from 3 to 6 weeks, including environmental and traffic impact assessments through construction project planning and management.
Are There Companies Offering Building Permit Issuance Services in Riyadh?
Yes, regulations mandate property owners to engage qualified engineering consultancy offices and firms classified on the Balady platform and the Saudi Council of Engineers; direct technical submission by individuals without an authorized consultancy intermediary is not permitted.
Madarej Engineering Consultants leads accredited offices in Riyadh (Al-Yasmin district), where its engineering team evaluates project parameters, conducts surveying works, extracts code-compliant structural and architectural drawings, and tracks applications across the Balady platform until permit issuance and fee payment with full efficiency and compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions About Building Permits in Riyadh (FAQs)
How can I obtain a building permit in Riyadh?
The permit is issued electronically by accessing the Balady platform via the National Access (Nafath), selecting building permit services, entering title deed and survey decision data, and authorizing an accredited engineering consultancy firm to prepare and submit blueprints, finalize system approvals, and settle statutory fees.
What is the difference between an immediate and a standard building permit in Riyadh?
Immediate permits are granted for residential buildings and private villas, issued directly under the responsibility of the accredited design firm without waiting for municipal review. In contrast, standard permits are designated for commercial developments and large complexes, requiring advance review and approval by Riyadh Municipality engineers and Civil Defense.
Can a building permit be issued without an updated electronic title deed?
Applications on the Balady platform cannot proceed using legacy manual deeds. The deed must first be digitized via the Ministry of Justice’s “Najiz” portal into an electronic document with an authorized real estate identification number.
What is the validity period of a building permit issued in Riyadh?
A building permit remains valid for three years from its date of issuance. The property owner must commence construction activities during this window and document structural phases through a certified site engineering supervision consultant, with the option to renew electronically if required.
Is a soil investigation report mandatory for residential permits in Riyadh?
Yes, a soil test report is an obligatory requirement for all residential and commercial projects across Riyadh. The Balady portal rejects file completion unless accompanied by an accredited report from a certified laboratory determining soil bearing capacity and foundation configurations.
What should I do if I wish to modify blueprints after the permit is issued?
The Balady platform lets you submit an “Amendment of Building Permit” application through an accredited engineering firm to upload updated architectural or structural modifications, provided they meet the zoning setback and coverage ratios for the locality.
Obtain Your Residential and Commercial Building Permit with Maximum Efficiency
Bypass regulatory complexities and save time through a trusted engineering partnership with Madarej Engineering Consultants in Riyadh. We provide rigorous supervision and accredited designs compliant with the Saudi Building Code, ensuring the swift issuance of construction and municipal permits.
Address: Saudi Arabia, Riyadh, Al-Yasmin District, 13322
Phone and WhatsApp: 0556222256 (966+)
Email: info@madarej.com.sa
Book a building permit consultation for your project via our official contact page.