Saudi municipalities crack down on unlicensed housing subdivisions
RIYADH — The Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing has affirmed that municipal authorities across Saudi Arabia are continuing efforts to detect and address violations related to the unauthorized subdivision of residential properties intended for investment.
The ministry emphasized its commitment to curbing irregular practices that bypass approved municipal permits, citing their negative impact on urban quality of life and neighborhood integrity.
In a statement issued Monday, the ministry identified key violations such as subdividing housing units into smaller spaces, adding internal doors, and modifying exits through building setbacks all without the required licenses.
These actions, it noted, pose risks to public safety, strain infrastructure and municipal services, and disrupt social and economic balance within communities.
Municipal teams, with ministry support, are conducting field inspections across regions, in addition to acting on reports submitted through the "Balady" digital platform.
The ministry operates an advanced monitoring system to detect violations and take appropriate legal action against offenders.
Authorities clarified that penalties extend to all parties involved in violations, including advertisers, property owners, investors, and tenants.
The ministry reiterated that altering housing units without official approval constitutes a clear violation, subject to fines of up to SR200,000.
The ministry stressed the need to adhere to established urban regulations and warned against listing or renting subdivided units through online platforms without formal licensing from regional municipalities. Such unregulated practices, it said, compromise residential quality and urban planning goals.
Residents and citizens are urged to report any related violations via the Balady app or by calling the unified number (940).
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Saudi Gazette
an hour ago
- Saudi Gazette
Saudi non-oil exports reach $8.2 billion in May despite drop in oil trade
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — Saudi Arabia's non-oil exports, including re-exports, rose by 6 percent year-on-year in May 2025 to reach SR31 billion ($8.2 billion), according to data released by the General Authority for Statistics on Thursday. However, national non-oil exports (excluding re-exports) declined by 1.8 percent, while re-exports surged by 20.5 percent compared to May 2024. Overall merchandise exports dropped by 14 percent due to a 21.8 percent plunge in oil exports. As a result, the share of oil exports in total exports fell from 72.1 percent in May 2024 to 65.6 percent in May 2025. Imports, on the other hand, increased by 7.8 percent, leading to a 68.4 percent year-on-year decline in the trade balance surplus. The ratio of non-oil exports (including re-exports) to imports dropped slightly to 38.5 percent, down from 39.1 percent a year earlier, as imports grew faster than non-oil machinery, appliances, and parts were the top non-oil exports, accounting for 23.7 percent of the total and nearly doubling from the previous year with a 99.8 percent increase. Chemical products followed, comprising 22.8 percent and growing marginally by 0.4 the import side, electrical machinery and parts also topped the list, making up 29.7 percent of all imports and rising 23 percent year-on-year. Transport equipment and parts came next, representing 11.4 percent of imports but declining by 9.2 remained Saudi Arabia's largest export destination, receiving 14 percent of total exports, followed by the UAE (11.2 percent) and India (8.9 percent). Other key markets included South Korea, Japan, the U.S., Egypt, Bahrain, Malta, and Malaysia, which collectively accounted for 64.4 percent of total was also the Kingdom's top import source at 28.9 percent, trailed by the U.S. (7.5 percent) and the UAE (6.3 percent). India, Japan, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Egypt, and France rounded out the top 10, contributing a combined 67.6 percent of Abdulaziz Port in Dammam handled the largest share of incoming goods, accounting for 26.4 percent of imports. It was followed by Jeddah Islamic Port (21.6 percent), King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh (13.8 percent), King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah (10.9 percent), and King Fahd International Airport in Dammam (5.3 percent). Together, these five ports managed 78.1 percent of total merchandise imports.
Saudi Gazette
an hour ago
- Saudi Gazette
Saudi train ridership tops 36.5 million in Q2 2025
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — Saudi Arabia's rail sector recorded more than 36.5 million passengers using train services in the second quarter of 2025, up by 1 million compared to the first quarter, according to figures released Thursday by the Transport General Authority (TGA). Urban rail services saw strong growth, with over 33.8 million passengers using metro systems across the Kingdom. Riyadh Metro led the figures, transporting more than 23.6 million passengers. The automated people mover at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah followed with over 7.76 million users, while Princess Nourah University's campus rail in Riyadh saw over 512,000 passengers. Intercity train services also witnessed a 10% year-on-year increase, with over 2.67 million passengers traveling between Saudi cities by rail during the same and minerals transport via rail remained a key contributor to economic logistics, with over 4.08 million tons of goods and more than 232,000 containers shipped, underscoring the railway network's vital role in supporting the industrial and mining sectors as part of the National Transport and Logistics TGA reaffirmed the importance of railways in offering safe, sustainable transport options, helping reduce carbon emissions, and improving quality of life across the Kingdom.
Saudi Gazette
5 hours ago
- Saudi Gazette
Saudi-Syrian Investment Forum 2025 seals $6.4 billion in deals, new joint business council formed
Saudi Gazette report DAMASCUS — The Saudi-Syrian Investment Forum 2025 concluded in Damascus on Thursday with the signing of 47 agreements and memorandums of understanding valued at SR24 billion ($6.4 billion). Minister of Investment Khalid Al-Falih announced during the opening that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had ordered the formation of a high-level Saudi-Syrian Joint Business Council, emphasizing the Kingdom's commitment to supporting Syria's reconstruction and economic integration. The forum was held in the presence of Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa and attended by more than 100 Saudi private companies and 20 government entities. The forum is seen as the launch of a new investment era, aiming to foster partnerships across energy, infrastructure, industry, real estate, finance, health, agriculture, and ICT. Al-Falih stated that the new business council would be chaired by prominent businessman Mohammed Abunayyan and include top Saudi executives.'The private sector is ready to play a key role in Syria's economic recovery,' he agreements included over SR11 billion ($2.9 billion) in infrastructure and real estate deals, including three new Saudi-financed cement plants to support Syria's collaborations were also announced, including partnerships between the Syrian Ministry of Communications and major Saudi tech firms such as STC and Elm, valued at SR4 billion ($1.06 billion).The two sides also agreed to deepen cooperation in agriculture, with plans to develop model farms, food supply chains, and organic finance, a key MoU was signed between the Saudi Tadawul Group and the Damascus Securities Exchange to explore dual listings, fintech, and new investment praised the Syrian government's recent reforms, including amendments to the investment law enacted in June, which enhanced investor protections and streamlined regulatory also highlighted that Syrian investments in Saudi Arabia currently total SR10 billion ($2.66 billion), signaling a path toward strategic economic forum concluded with a showcase of Syrian investment opportunities, setting the stage for what both sides described as a 'transformative partnership' rooted in shared history and mutual economic goals.
