New Construction Requirements

The Saudi Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing has issued updated requirements for the construction of residential buildings of various types, including villas, residential buildings, commercial residential buildings, and administrative residential buildings. Under the updated requirements, it is allowed to increase the heights of residential villas and construction ratios for all floors.

Facilitation and Safety Provisions

The updated specifications include provisions aimed at facilitating various types of construction work for beneficiaries, preserving building safety, and protecting structures from risks. These provisions include increasing the built area in residential buildings and villas, reducing setbacks, and ensuring compliance with the Saudi Building Code's public health and safety requirements.

Specific Requirements for Residential Villas

For residential villas, the requirements include that the total building area for the ground floor should not exceed 75 percent of the land area. The first floor's building area should also not exceed 75 percent, and the upper annex should not exceed 70 percent of the floor area below it. If the upper annex is used as an independent residential unit, an additional parking space must be provided within the property boundaries.

Implementation and Compliance

The ministry stated that these requirements, which follow international best practices, are aimed at meeting the aspirations of end beneficiaries. The updated requirements will apply to new building permits and take effect from their date of publication. They include spatial organization requirements and technical requirements covering architectural, structural, electrical, mechanical, health work, fire prevention and protection requirements, and material specifications and execution quality.

Harmonizing with Saudi Building Code

The updated requirements are part of the ministry’s efforts to facilitate procedures, unify new construction license requirements, and harmonize them with the Saudi Building Code to achieve public health and safety and improve the urban landscape. The ministry emphasized that these requirements will contribute to controlling the development process and creating a positive impact on the urban environment of Saudi cities.

Impact on Urban Development

The ministry highlighted that the new requirements align with development projects in the residential sector and the strategic and structural plans for all cities in the Kingdom. The requirements include all technical and municipal requirements that must be applied to residential buildings of all types.

Property owners, contractors, and engineering offices are invited to review the updated requirements by visiting the link: https://2u.pw/MaPAwSex.

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