Article 52 of the Saudi Antiquities Law
المادة 52 من نظام الآثار والمتاحف والتراث العمراني
The article refers to the regulations the mechanism for contributing to the costs of maintaining, repairing and restoring a classified urban heritage building or site if its owner is unable to do so.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
تبين اللوائح آلية المساهمة في تكاليف صيانة مبنى أو موقع التراث العمراني المصنف وإصلاحه وترميمه، إذا عجز مالكه عن القيام بذلك.
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 52 explained in plain English
This article deals with a common practical situation: an owner's inability to maintain a classified heritage building.
- Scope: a classified urban heritage building or site.
- Work covered: maintenance, repair and restoration.
- The situation: if its owner is unable to do this.
- The rule: the regulations set out the mechanism for contributing to the costs.
The article does not say who contributes, how much, or the conditions for proving inability; it only states the principle of contribution and refers its details to the regulations. The amount of support or the way to request it therefore cannot be known from the text of the article alone.
This rule is linked to Article 51, which does not permit building or restoration work in classified urban heritage buildings except with a license from the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs, nor maintenance work except with the Authority's approval; an owner who cannot afford these works may find help in the mechanism the regulations set out. (See also Article 50.)
Anyone who owns a classified building and cannot bear the cost of maintaining it would be wise to find out about the mechanism in the regulations, and to consult a lawyer who specializes in real estate matters if needed.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
How we write and review contentReal Estate Law lawyers: ask a specialist about your case
Describe your situation briefly and we'll suggest a lawyer who specialises in this law
Real Estate Law lawyers
Lawyers who handle this kind of case
Dr. Ali Al-Rubaie Law Office and Ittihad Al-Asr Legal Company
Mohammed bin Saleh Al-Qarawi Law and Notary Office, Riyadh
Frequently asked questions about Article 52 of the Saudi Antiquities Law
What can the owner of a heritage building do if unable to restore it?
The regulations set out the mechanism for contributing to the costs of maintaining, repairing and restoring a classified urban heritage building or site if its owner is unable to do so.
Does the article state the amount of the contribution?
No. The article leaves the mechanism to the regulations.
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.