Article 55 of the Saudi Antiquities Law
المادة 55 من نظام الآثار والمتاحف والتراث العمراني
No one may work in restoring and maintaining heritage buildings without obtaining the Authority's approval and classification, as set out in the regulations.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
لا يجوز العمل في مجال ترميم المباني التراثية وصيانتها إلا بعد الحصول على موافقة وتصنيف من الهيئة، وفقاً لما تبينه اللوائح.
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 55 explained in plain English
This article regulates who may work in restoring and maintaining heritage buildings.
- The activity: working in the field of restoring and maintaining heritage buildings.
- The two requirements:
- Approval from the Authority.
- Classification by the Authority.
- The details: as set out in the regulations.
The rule addresses those who work in this field, such as contractors, offices, companies and craftsmen who provide restoration and maintenance services. A general contracting license is not enough; the Authority's approval and classification are required.
The important distinction here is that this article concerns the person doing the work, that is, their eligibility to work in restoring and maintaining heritage buildings, not the work itself in a particular building. Work on a particular building may require other licenses or approvals, in addition to the person doing it holding the Authority's approval and classification.
This means the owner of a heritage building should contract with a party that holds the Authority's approval and classification. Anyone who wants to enter this field would be wise to find out about the classification requirements in the regulations, and to consult a lawyer who specializes in commercial and corporate matters.
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 55 of the Saudi Antiquities Law
Can any contractor restore a heritage building?
No. No one may work in restoring and maintaining heritage buildings without obtaining the Authority's approval and classification.
Where do I find the conditions for classifying heritage restoration workers?
The article provides that this is as set out in 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.