The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing has launched the Contractor Qualification Service for the Municipal Sector through the Balady Business platform, enabling contracting companies to meet qualification requirements and obtain accreditation in accordance with unified standards, while enhancing the efficiency of service providers and strengthening their readiness to deliver municipal works and projects. The Ministry explained that the service organizes the contractor qualification process, beginning with the completion of regulatory and technical requirements, followed by an assessment of each company against quality and operational readiness standards, and leading to accreditation for the targeted municipal services and areas. It stated that the qualification requirements include holding a valid commercial registration and municipal license, holding the required contractor classification certificate and memberships, and having the necessary technical personnel and expertise, in addition to completing the required data and documents through the Balady Business platform. It affirmed that the service applies unified assessment standards to assess contractors' efficiency, reliability, readiness, and capacity to carry out works and deliver municipal services in accordance with the approved technical and professional requirements. The Ministry indicated that contracting companies have been granted a grace period until June 30, 2027, to complete the qualification and accreditation requirements, encouraging them to take advantage of the grace period and promptly complete the required procedures through the platform. It added that qualification enables contracting companies to become eligible and ready to operate within the targeted municipal services and areas, while improving the quality of completed works and the efficiency of service delivery to beneficiaries. The Ministry noted that the service is available electronically through the Balady Business platform, where companies can complete their data, attach the required documents, and track the qualification process through to final accreditation.
The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing affirmed the importance of complying with the safety requirements set out in the Updated Guide to the Health and Technical Requirements for Group Housing for Individuals, stressing the responsibility of establishment owners to provide a safe residential environment and to raise the level of readiness to deal with emergencies. The Ministry explained that the safety framework begins with maintaining the readiness of evacuation routes and emergency exits and keeping them free of obstructions; providing illuminated directional signage and backup lighting systems that operate automatically in the event of a power outage; and fitting emergency doors with mechanisms that allow them to be opened easily from the inside, ensuring that locking systems do not impede their use during evacuation. It stressed the need to verify the readiness of alarm and firefighting systems and to carry out periodic maintenance on them, to prevent unregulated storage inside housing facilities or in corridors and exits, and to observe the approved occupancy capacity of each establishment, thereby limiting risks and raising the level of prevention. The Ministry called on establishments and employers to prepare approved evacuation plans in accordance with statutory requirements, to display evacuation diagrams in prominent and easily visible locations, to clearly mark emergency exits and assembly points, and to ensure that all housing occupants are aware of the procedures to be followed when an emergency occurs. It affirmed that the readiness of personnel is a fundamental pillar of the safety framework, which requires training housing occupants periodically on evacuation procedures, conducting drills that simulate emergencies, and familiarizing them with the safe use of first-response firefighting equipment, in order to strengthen the speed of response and sound decision-making. The Ministry concluded by affirming that adherence to safety requirements is not limited to meeting statutory requirements; it also represents a direct responsibility to prevent incidents and preserve the safety of residents. It noted that readiness and a proper response during the first minutes of any emergency contribute to reducing losses and to providing a safe and sustainable group housing environment.
The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing issued more than 34,000 building permits across the regions of the Kingdom during the period from January to the end of June 2026, as part of its efforts to regulate construction work, simplify procedures, and keep pace with the urban development activity taking place in cities and governorates. The Ministry explained that residential permits accounted for the largest share of the total permits issued, exceeding 28,000 permits, while commercial permits numbered more than 5,000, in addition to over 1,000 permits for government buildings. It stated that the development of the municipal licensing framework and the expansion of the digital solutions available through the Balady platform have both contributed to simplifying permit issuance procedures, accelerating the processing of applications, and improving the user experience, as well as increasing the efficiency of coordination between the relevant authorities. The Ministry affirmed that the volume of permits issued reflects the diversity of urban development projects across the residential, commercial, and government sectors and keeps pace with development expansion in the various regions of the Kingdom, in addition to its role in supporting investment and developing the built environment. It noted that work will continue with the municipalities and sub-municipalities to improve licensing procedures, develop the related digital solutions, and enhance performance efficiency, in a manner that supports the quality of municipal services, elevates the urban landscape, and contributes to achieving the targets of Saudi Vision 2030. This comes as an extension of the Ministry's efforts to develop the municipal licensing framework. The Ministry recently announced the issuance and renewal of more than 274,000 commercial licenses during the first half of 2026, comprising the issuance of more than 97,000 new commercial licenses and the renewal of over 177,000 licenses, in addition to the completion of more than 91,000 amendments to commercial licenses, over 43,000 transactions to add commercial activities, and approximately 39,000 transactions to transfer license ownership, as part of efforts to strengthen the investment environment and expand the range of digital services provided through the Balady platform.
The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing has intensified its inspection efforts targeting food establishments across the regions of the Kingdom, working through the municipalities and sub-municipalities and in coordination with the relevant authorities, in order to strengthen food safety and reduce cases of food poisoning. The Ministry explained that inspection coverage of food establishments reached 97 percent during the first half of 2026, and that the municipalities and sub-municipalities will continue to widen the scope of field visits and increase their frequency in the period ahead, to complete inspection coverage, strengthen compliance with health requirements, and protect consumer health. It confirmed that the municipalities and sub-municipalities carry out field inspection visits to restaurants, kitchens, and food retail outlets to verify compliance with health requirements and with the laws and regulations governing food activities, to record violations, and to take statutory action against non-compliant establishments, thereby safeguarding public health and raising the quality of the services provided. The Ministry noted that continuous coordination between the municipalities and sub-municipalities and partner entities strengthens the efficiency of the food safety framework and raises the level of readiness and responsiveness to reports and violations related to food activities. It called on members of the public to report food establishments that do not comply with health requirements through the unified number (940) or the Balady platform, affirming that community participation supports field inspection work and helps to identify and address reports quickly.
The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing has confirmed the availability of the electronic commercial license renewal service through the "Balady" platform, as part of its ongoing efforts to develop digital municipal services, raise the quality of services provided to beneficiaries, and strengthen the business environment, in line with the digital transformation goals of Saudi Vision 2030. The Ministry’s Official Spokesperson, Mohammed Alrasasimah, explained that the commercial license renewal service enables establishment owners to complete all renewal procedures electronically by logging in to the "Balady" platform through Nafath / National Unified Access (Absher), selecting the commercial license renewal service, completing the application, and paying the fees, without needing to visit municipality offices. He noted that among the most prominent requirements for renewing a license is proof of the right to use the site, whether through a valid lease contract registered on the "Ejar" platform, a title deed, or an investment contract, in addition to fulfilling the Civil Defense requirements of the Safety Portal according to the nature of the activity. He pointed out that a license may be renewed up to 90 days before its expiry, and that expired licenses may also be renewed in accordance with the applicable regulations. Alrasasimah indicated that the failure of commercial license data to appear when submitting a renewal application may be linked to the ID registered on the license or the commercial registration, stressing the importance of verifying the data through the electronic inquiry services on the "Balady" platform, and the necessity of the commercial registration being valid in order to complete the renewal procedures, as the service cannot be carried out if the registration has expired until it is renewed. He added that the "Balady" platform also provides an electronic commercial license cancellation service if the activity ceases or there is no desire to continue practicing it, through simple electronic steps that include selecting the license to be cancelled, completing the application data, and paying any due fees, if applicable. He affirmed that the "Balady" platform is one of the most prominent digital enablers of the municipal sector, as it provides an integrated package of municipal services electronically, contributing to simplifying procedures, raising the efficiency of services, improving the beneficiary experience, enhancing transparency, and supporting digital transformation in the municipal sector. The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing has called on owners of commercial establishments to make use of the electronic services provided by the "Balady" platform to ensure commercial licenses are renewed before their expiry, and to review the regulatory conditions and requirements, to guarantee the continuity of commercial activities and to benefit from municipal services with ease and convenience.
The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing has reaffirmed the continuation of inspection and monitoring activities at group housing facilities for individuals across the Kingdom. The Ministry noted that reports submitted through the Balady platform or via the unified contact number 940 serve as an effective supporting channel, enabling the relevant authorities to identify and address violations and promote compliance with technical, health, and safety requirements. The Ministry explained that receiving reports through official channels enhances the efficiency of monitoring and follow-up activities. It also enables specialized teams to respond promptly to violations and take the necessary regulatory measures, helping protect public health and safety and reduce unlawful practices that could negatively affect the quality of residential neighborhoods. The Ministry indicated that regulating group housing for individuals forms part of a broader, integrated effort led through the National Program for the Development of Group Housing for Individuals, in partnership with the relevant government entities. The program aims to develop and regulate the sector, improve the quality of housing designated for workers, and provide safe, healthy, and sustainable residential environments. These efforts support the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 to improve quality of life and enhance the sustainability of cities. The Ministry emphasized that it will continue coordinating with the relevant entities to raise compliance with the regulations and requirements governing group housing, alongside the continuation of field inspection campaigns. The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing called on members of the public to use official reporting channels whenever they observe a violation. It stressed that community awareness and effective reporting support the work of regulatory authorities, accelerate the resolution of reported issues, and help maintain the quality of residential environments.
The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing announced that more than 274,000 commercial licenses were issued and renewed during the first half of 2026, reflecting the vitality of economic activity and the continued growth of businesses across the Kingdom’s cities and governorates. The official spokesperson for the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing, Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Rasasmah, stated that the licenses included the issuance of more than 97,000 new commercial licenses and the renewal of over 177,000 licenses. He noted that these figures demonstrate the continuity of commercial activities, the ongoing enhancement of the business environment, and the Ministry’s role in enabling commercial establishments to continue their operations through streamlined digital procedures. Al-Rasasmah added that services delivered during the same period included more than 91,000 amendments to commercial licenses, over 43,000 transactions to add commercial activities, and more than 39,000 license ownership transfer transactions. These services form part of the Ministry’s diverse range of offerings designed to meet the needs of the business sector and improve the efficiency of the beneficiary journey across digital platforms. The official spokesperson confirmed that these results build on the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to develop the municipal licensing ecosystem, simplify procedures, and enhance the efficiency of digital services. These efforts aim to accelerate transaction completion and improve the experience of investors and business owners. He also noted that the Balady platform is one of the key digital enablers supporting the municipal sector and contributing to the delivery of integrated services to beneficiaries. Al-Rasasmah stated that the continued growth in the number of commercial licenses reflects the attractiveness of the investment environment in Saudi cities, as well as the effectiveness of the Ministry’s initiatives to empower the private sector, stimulate commercial activity, and promote sustainable economic development, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030. The official spokesperson called on commercial establishment owners to take advantage of the electronic services available through the Balady platform to ensure the continuity of their business activities and access services easily and efficiently.
The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing has made more than 70 digital services available through the Tawakkalna national super app, enabling individuals, businesses, and investors to complete a range of municipal, housing, and real estate procedures through a unified and trusted digital channel. The available services include issuing and managing commercial licenses, updating license information, and issuing health certificates. They also include several construction-related services, such as the issuance of building permits, occupancy and compliance certificates, building status correction services, land-fencing permits, and the transfer of building permit ownership. Beneficiaries can also use the services to book appointments online, calculate municipal service fees, submit objections to fines and fees, and inquire about transactions, land-survey reports, and licenses. Additional services include submitting reports related to urban landscape improvements and damaged vehicles, as well as requesting municipal services. In the housing and real estate sector, the services include verifying eligibility for housing support, inquiring about Sakani reservations, and using the mortgage calculator and electronic mortgage financing services. They also cover leasing and investment services, real estate developer qualification, the issuance of permits for mobile vending vehicles, sidewalk occupancy, and event organization. Offering these services through the Tawakkalna app reflects the integration of the Ministry’s digital ecosystem and the expansion of its municipal, housing, and real estate service-delivery channels. This enables beneficiaries to complete and track their transactions and access related information through a unified platform. The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing called on individuals, businesses, and investors to benefit from the services available through the Tawakkalna app, review their details, and select the services that best meet their needs.
The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing has confirmed the availability of the electronic service for issuing building occupancy certificates through the “Balady” platform, enabling beneficiaries to complete building-completion procedures and obtain the certificate without visiting municipal entities. This comes as part of the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to develop digital services, raise the efficiency of municipal services, and improve the beneficiary experience. The Ministry explained that the occupancy certificate is an official document confirming the actual completion of a building in accordance with the approved license and requirements, and that it represents one of the essential stages in the building journey, as it enables the beneficiary to complete the procedures associated with the property and to benefit from the related services with full ease and convenience. It clarified that the occupancy certificate is obtained through the “Balady” platform via simple electronic steps that begin with selecting the user’s capacity, submitting a new application, then specifying the type of owner and applicant, and selecting the building license for which the occupancy certificate is to be issued. This is followed by selecting the accredited engineering office and sending the application to it in order to complete the technical requirements, prepare the required engineering report, and upload it electronically through the platform. It added that the Amanah reviews the application, verifies it on-site, and approves the certificate after the technical procedures are completed and the fees are paid. The occupancy certificate is then issued directly and made available to the beneficiary to print and make use of, without the need to visit the premises of the municipalities (Baladiyahs) or the Amanahs. The Ministry indicated that among the most prominent requirements for issuing an occupancy certificate are: the existence of a building license that was issued six months ago or more and for which no occupancy certificate has previously been issued; the payment of the service fees and any outstanding debts; in addition to contracting with an accredited engineering office for non-residential uses; and the fulfilment of the insurance document against latent (hidden) defects in accordance with the regulating requirements. It affirmed that “Balady” enables the proactive issuance of the building compliance certificate as soon as the occupancy-certificate procedures are completed and the fees are paid, without the need to submit a separate application, which contributes to shortening procedures, accelerating the beneficiary journey, and enhancing the efficiency of the services provided. The “Balady” platform provides beneficiaries with a proactive notifications service via text messages and email, alongside the ability to track applications and services through the beneficiary’s control panel (dashboard), thereby enhancing transparency and enabling the stages of the application to be followed step by step. This service comes as part of the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing’s efforts aimed at facilitating procedures, raising the quality of municipal services, and improving the beneficiary experience, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 to raise residents’ satisfaction with municipal services and to contribute to building cities that are more efficient, of higher quality, and more sustainable.
The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing has approved the “Guide for Monitoring the Non-compliant Subdivision of Residential Units” as part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen compliance with municipal regulations and requirements and to curb the practice of unregulated subdivision of residential units, thereby helping to preserve the safety of buildings, improve the quality of the residential environment, and raise the efficiency of municipal oversight across the Kingdom’s regions. The guide aims to provide a unified regulatory and oversight framework for addressing the phenomenon of non-compliant subdivision by defining the roles, responsibilities, and oversight procedures for detecting, verifying, and addressing violations in accordance with the approved municipal regulations and bylaws. The Ministry explained that the guide defines the non-compliant subdivision of residential units and sets out the regulatory, technical, and oversight requirements and procedures to address these violations, thereby enhancing compliance and preserving the safety of structures and urban organization. It covers all residential and residential-commercial units that have been subdivided in an unregulated manner. It indicated that the guide identifies the entities responsible for its implementation, including the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing, the regional and local municipalities, and partner entities, in addition to property owners and tenants, thereby enhancing integration among the relevant entities and increasing the effectiveness of oversight and remediation. The guide includes definitions of the concepts and terms associated with monitoring non-compliant subdivisions, along with an integrated oversight methodology based on proactive detection, through matching data and lease contracts against issued licenses, drawing on community reports, and conducting field visits to verify suspected cases and detect violations. It also defines the roles and responsibilities among the competent entities: the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing is responsible for developing regulations and organizational guides, preparing oversight plans, and developing reporting mechanisms and technical integration with partner entities to enhance data exchange, while the regional and local municipalities are responsible for conducting oversight rounds, receiving reports, verifying violations, applying regulatory penalties, and following up on the rectification of violators’ status. The guide also addresses the mechanisms for detecting and identifying non-compliant units, the field verification procedures, and the mechanism for applying violations in accordance with regulatory procedures, contributing to the standardization of enforcement and remediation procedures and raising the efficiency of oversight work. The Ministry affirmed that the approval of the guide contributes to reducing the negative effects of non-compliant subdivision, including its impact on the safety of buildings and infrastructure and on quality of life in residential neighborhoods, and also supports raising the efficiency of the use of the real estate stock and promoting more organized and sustainable urban environments. It noted that the approval of the guide comes within the framework of the regulatory and oversight measures implemented by the Ministry to strengthen compliance with municipal regulations, raise the level of safety and reliability in the real estate sector, and improve service quality, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030. The guide can be viewed by visiting the following link: https://momah.gov.sa/ar/regulations
The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing has launched the third cycle of the Municipal Performance Excellence Award for 2026 to strengthen institutional excellence in the municipal sector, stimulate competitiveness among the regional municipalities, and enhance the quality of municipal services through the adoption of innovative practices and the development of performance efficiency, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030. The award comprises three main categories, the Gold Award, the Silver Award, and the Bronze Award, in addition to several specialized tracks covering operational efficiency, community participation, and municipal media, to highlight the outstanding initiatives and experiences that contribute to raising the efficiency of municipal work and improving the level of services provided to beneficiaries. The award targets regional and governorate municipalities across the Kingdom, contributing to the promotion of positive competition and the exchange of expertise and best practices among municipal entities. The results of the third cycle will be announced and the winning entities honored in January 2027. The 2025 edition of the award honored the winning municipalities in recognition of their institutional excellence and their efforts to develop municipal services: the Hail Region Municipality achieved first place, followed by the Qassim Region Municipality in second place, and then the Eastern Region Municipality in third place, while several municipalities stood out in the specialized tracks, including addressing visual distortion, community participation, support for street vendors (mobile vendors), Bahjah projects, and crisis and emergency management. The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing affirmed that the award represents an extension of its efforts to entrench a culture of institutional excellence in the municipal sector, to encourage municipalities to develop their performance and adopt innovative solutions, and to exchange best practices, contributing to the building of more prosperous and sustainable cities and enhancing quality of life across the Kingdom’s regions.
The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing has announced the conclusion of the “Urban Beauty Cities” initiative, following the achievement of its field and awareness objectives, with the participation of 10,213 male and female volunteers and the completion of more than 50,000 volunteer hours across all regions of the Kingdom, as part of a national program that helped strengthen the culture of volunteering, improve the urban landscape, and enhance quality of life. The initiative saw the participation of male and female students from public education schools in field and awareness activities targeting public facilities and municipal and school sites, reinforcing a sense of social responsibility among young people and helping instill the values of preserving the urban environment and public facilities. The initiative was launched from the Hail Region Municipality and expanded to include the municipalities of Madinah, Jeddah, Taif, Najran, Al-Baha, Dammam, Al-Ahsa, Tabuk, Jazan, the Northern Borders, Riyadh, Qassim, Hafar Al-Batin, Al-Jouf, the Holy Capital, and Asir, as part of the Ministry’s efforts to strengthen community participation and support volunteer initiatives with a sustainable impact. The initiative was carried out under the supervision of the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing, represented by the regional municipalities, and in partnership with the Saudi National Bank (SNB), while Wathar Architecture Company Limited undertook its implementation, a model that reflects the integration of efforts among the municipal, private, and education sectors and reinforces the role of national partnerships in supporting sustainable community development. The initiative was built on three main tracks: traffic safety, tree planting, and decorative painting, with the aim of contributing to the improvement of the urban landscape and raising awareness among students of the importance of volunteer work and community participation. The initiative resulted in the completion of more than 50,000 volunteer hours, at an average of five hours per participant, making it one of the largest student volunteer initiatives at the Kingdom level in terms of the scale of participation, breadth of implementation, and community impact. The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing affirmed that the initiative embodies the importance of engaging the education community in efforts to improve cities and enhance quality of life, contributing to the building of more sustainable and interactive urban environments and supporting the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 in developing volunteer work and strengthening community participation.