Sunday, August 10, 2025
Saudi Ministry Issues New Guidelines for Group Housing Across the Kingdom
The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing in Saudi Arabia has announced new health, safety, and technical rules for group housing facilities across the Kingdom. The standards cover building size, location, noise limits, parking, and essential services.
Categories of Group Housing
Group housing is divided into three types:
1. Residential buildings – Up to 500 residents with a Saudi supervisor in charge.
2. Residential complexes —up to 10,000 residents.
3. Mobile cabins —temporary housing for projects. See Also: Ministry of Tourism clarifies on 20-hour hotel stay rule
1. Residential Buildings
✓ Maximum 500 residents.
✓ At least 4 m² per person in bedrooms, with a limit of 10 occupants per room.
✓ Two kitchens, restrooms, and baths for every 8 residents.
✓ Must have rest areas, laundry rooms, climate control, safe drinking water, cleaning services, and pest control.
2. Residential Complexes
➤ Capacity: up to 10,000 residents.
➤ Same space and occupancy standards as buildings.
➤ Two kitchens per floor, a prayer room, and laundry facilities.
➤ Emergency rooms for every 1,000 residents and a medical clinic for every 5,000. Most Viewed: Saudi Arabia offers free access to Nusuk App without internet data
3. Mobile Cabins
• Must follow the same space and occupancy rules as other housing.
• Mobile cabins must include a central kitchen, prayer room, isolation room, laundry facilities, emergency rooms, clinics, and climate control.
• Built from steel or aluminum frames, with insulated walls, non-slip floors, and pitched roofs, and made to be moved often.
Licensing and Safety
✅ Must get approval from authorities, including building permits, plans, and health documents.
✅ Must have fire alarms, first-aid kits, regular maintenance, emergency access, and disabled-friendly facilities.
Land Use and Site Requirements
🔹 Built-up area cannot exceed 40% of the land plot.
🔹 Sites must include fuel stations, EV charging, repair centers, shops, shaded parking, pedestrian and cycling paths, recreation areas, and modern lighting. Read: Riyadh launches free residential managed parking
Parking
🔘 One parking space per 100 residents.
🔘 Bus parking for 50% of residents.
🔘 Dedicated spaces for disabled access.
Building Standards
■ Safe stair railings, proper window heights, roof barriers, rainwater drainage, waste systems for high-rises, and compliant facades.
■ No boundary walls for residential buildings on commercial streets.
■ No barriers above fences.
■ Air-conditioning units and satellite dishes cannot be placed on balconies.
These rules aim to improve living conditions, ensure safety, and provide modern services in all types of group housing in Saudi Arabia. Join Saudi Expatriates news channel on Telegram
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| Saudi Ministry Issues New Guidelines for Group Housing Across the Kingdom |
