Article 51 of the Saudi Antiquities Law
المادة 51 من نظام الآثار والمتاحف والتراث العمراني
Building or restoration in classified urban heritage buildings, neighborhoods and villages requires a license from the Ministry, and maintenance or subdivision requires the Authority's approval, to which it must respond within 90 days.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- لا يجوز إجراء أي عمل من أعمال البناء أو الترميم في مباني وأحياء وقرى التراث العمراني المصنفة إلا بعد الحصول على رخصة من وزارة الشؤون البلدية والقروية، وتتفق الوزارة والهيئة على شروط منح الرخصة وإجراءاته.
2 - لا يجوز إجراء أي عمل من أعمال الصيانة أو التجزئة والتقسيم في مباني وأحياء وقرى التراث العمراني المصنفة إلا بعد موافقة الهيئة، وعلى الهيئة الإجابة على الطلب خلال (تسعين) يوماً من تاريخ تقديمه.
3 - تخضع الأعمال المنصوص عليها في الفقرتين (1) و (2) من هذه المادة لمراقبة الهيئة وإشرافها، وذلك وفقاً لقواعد تعدها الهيئة بالاتفاق مع الجهات المعنية.
This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
Article 51 explained in plain English
This article regulates works in classified urban heritage buildings, neighborhoods and villages, and distinguishes between two kinds:
Paragraph (1) - building and restoration:
- No building or restoration work may be carried out except after obtaining a license from the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs.
- The Ministry and the Authority agree on the conditions and procedures for granting the license.
Paragraph (2) - maintenance, subdivision and partition:
- No maintenance, subdivision or partition work may be carried out except after the Authority's approval.
- The Authority must respond to the request within 90 days of the date it is submitted.
Paragraph (3) - supervision: the works mentioned in the two paragraphs are subject to the Authority's monitoring and supervision, according to rules the Authority prepares in agreement with the relevant bodies.
The practical difference: building and restoration need a municipal license on conditions agreed with the Authority, whereas maintenance and partition need the Authority's approval directly. In both cases the execution is subject to the Authority's supervision. The article does not state the effect of the Authority not responding within the period.
Someone who wants to divide a heritage house among heirs or carry out maintenance on it must first apply for the Authority's approval. When needed, it is advisable to consult a lawyer specializing in real estate cases.
Practical example
The sons of Sheikh Abdullah inherited a classified heritage house in an old neighborhood of Jeddah and want to divide it among themselves into units. This may only be done after the Authority's approval, and the Authority must respond within 90 days of the date the request is submitted; if they want to restore it, they need a license from the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
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Frequently asked questions about Article 51 of the Saudi Antiquities Law
Do I need a license to restore a classified heritage building?
Yes. No building or restoration work may be carried out except after obtaining a license from the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs.
Does maintenance of a heritage building need the Authority's approval?
Yes. No maintenance, subdivision or partition work may be carried out except after the Authority's approval.
How long does the Authority have to respond to a maintenance or partition request?
The Authority must respond within 90 days of the date the request is submitted.
More articles on Urban Heritage and Its Protection Zone
- Article 9
The Authority sets antiquities and urban heritage sites in coordination with the relevant bodies; they must be preserved in city plans, and building or restoration permits next to them are issued only in agreement with the Authority.
1- تحدد الهيئة مواقع الآثار والتراث العمراني، وتنسق مع وزارة الشؤون البلدية والقروية، والجهات المعنية الأخرى - كل فيما يخصه - في شأن ذلك. 2 - تجب المحافظة على م
- Article 18
The article requires whoever owns or controls a registered antiquity or urban heritage site to preserve it, requires a Commission license to invest in or operate it, obliges the investor to maintain it, and allows a charge for visits.
1- على الشخص الذي يقع في ملكيته أو تحت سلطته أثر أو موقع تراث عمراني مسجل في سجل الآثار، أو التراث العمراني؛ المحافظة عليه. 2 - لا يجوز استثمار الأثر وموقع التر
- Article 24
The article requires the Commission's prior approval for demolition, utility connections and new work inside archaeological and urban heritage sites, requires it to reply within 60 days, and subjects the work to its monitoring.
1 - لا يجوز القيام بأي من الأعمال الآتية داخل حدود مواقع الآثار والتراث العمراني إلا بعد الحصول على موافقةٍ مسبقةٍ من الهيئة: أ - أعمال الهدم الكلي، أو الجزئي.
- Article 45
The Authority creates the urban heritage register and classifies its buildings and sites into categories A, B and C; classification covers the building, its fittings and surrounding urban and natural areas, and registration may be cancelled.
1 - تضع الهيئة سجلاً يسمى (سجل التراث العمراني)؛ تسجل فيه جميع مواقع ومباني التراث العمراني ومناطقه، وتكون درجات التصنيف على النحو الآتي: الفئة (أ) المباني والم
- Article 46
The protection zone for immovable urban and archaeological heritage is set at 200 meters around the boundaries of the classified building or site and may be changed by decision of the President, and protection zones may be created in cities and villages.
1- تحدد منطقة حمايــة التراث العمراني والأثري الثابت بمسافة (مائتي) متر حول الحدود المباشرة للمبنى أو الموقع المصنف، وبخاصة الجهة التي تقع عليها واجهة المبنى أو
- Article 47
The Authority, in coordination with the bodies concerned, prepares the urban heritage protection and development plan that identifies classified buildings and rules for intervention, and building regulations apply to its buildings unless they conflict with protection.
1- تقوم الهيئة - بعد التنسيق مع وزارة الشؤون البلدية والقروية والجهات ذات العلاقة - بإعداد وتطوير مخطط حماية التراث العمراني وتنميته، وفق برنامج حماية وتطوير وت
The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.