Article 20 of the Saudi Civil Defense Law
المادة 20 من نظام الدفاع المدني
Article 20 makes it a condition for granting licenses for activities, buildings and facilities covered by the safety rules that the licensee comply with the safety conditions and rules issued by the Civil Defense Council.
Official text after amendments (Arabic)
Compiled from the original text and every officially published amendment; the amendments are shown in full below for comparison.
يُشترط لمنح الرخص في الحالات المنصوص عليها في الفقرة الفرعية (5) من الفقرة (أ) من المادة (التاسعة) من هذا النظام؛ التزام المرخص له بالتقيد بالشروط وقواعد السلامة التي يُصدرها مجلس الدفاع المدني.
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 20 explained in plain English
This article links licensing and safety, making the licensee's compliance with safety conditions a condition for granting the license.
The cases to which the article applies are those set out in sub-paragraph (5) of paragraph (a) of Article 9, which makes it the competence of the Civil Defense Council to issue the regulations that set the safety conditions and rules that must be met in:
- The various industrial, commercial and agricultural activities.
- Professions and trades.
- Residential buildings, facilities and infrastructure.
so as to ensure the protection of lives and public and private property, in agreement with the bodies concerned.
This article provides that it is a condition for granting licenses in these cases that the licensee comply with the safety conditions and rules issued by the Civil Defense Council. In practice this means:
- The owner of the activity or facility does not obtain the license unless he complies with these conditions and rules.
- The details of these conditions are not in this article, but in the regulations the Council issues.
The article does not specify the body that grants the license or the procedures for obtaining it; these are matters the text does not address. Its text was issued by Royal Decree No. (M/63) dated 13/9/1436 AH.
Article 21 comes with another provision on public shelters, providing for their construction in parks, public squares, plazas and crowded places according to rules and specifications the Council sets. Anyone facing a refusal or a problem with licensing can consult a lawyer specializing in administrative matters.
Practical example
Saad wants to open a car repair workshop in an industrial district of Riyadh. Under this article, a condition of granting him the license is that he comply with the safety conditions and rules the Civil Defense Council issues for activities of this kind, so he must review those conditions and meet them.
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 20 of the Saudi Civil Defense Law
Is compliance with safety rules required to obtain a license?
Yes. In the cases set out in sub-paragraph (5) of paragraph (a) of Article 9, it is a condition for granting licenses that the licensee comply with the safety conditions and rules issued by the Civil Defense Council.
Which activities do the safety conditions cover?
Industrial, commercial and agricultural activities, professions and trades, residential buildings, facilities and infrastructure, under Article 9 (a/5).
Where can I find the details of the safety conditions?
In the regulations the Civil Defense Council issues, not in this article.
Amendment history
Amendment — 13/9/1436 AH
Official amendment text (Arabic)
تم تعديل هذه المادة بموجب المرسوم الملكي رقم : ( م/ 63 ) وتاريخ 13/ 9 /1436هـ ، لتصبح بالنص الآتي:
"المادة العشرون:
يُشترط لمنح الرخص في الحالات المنصوص عليها في الفقرة الفرعية (5) من الفقرة (أ) من المادة (التاسعة) من هذا النظام؛ التزام المرخص له بالتقيد بالشروط وقواعد السلامة التي يُصدرها مجلس الدفاع المدني".
Original text before the amendments (Arabic)
يشترط لمنح الرخص في الحالات المنصوص عليها في الفقرة (ج) من المادة التاسعة من هذا النظام التزام المرخص له بالتقيد بالشروط وقواعد السلامة التي يصدرها مجلس الدفاع المدني .
Articles this article refers to
More articles on Safety and Industrial Security Requirements
- Article 23
Article 23 requires private companies and institutions to cooperate with the General Directorate of Civil Defense to verify the adequacy of firefighting and rescue personnel and equipment and the implementation of preventive safety rules.
تتعاون الشركات والمؤسسات الخاصة مع المديرية العامة للدفاع المدني ، وذلك للتأكد من كفاية وفعالية رجال الإطفاء والإنقاذ والآليات والمعدات وجميع لوازم مكافحة الحري
- Article 24
Article 24 provides for coordination between the General Directorate of Civil Defense and the administrative bodies that have safety departments or firefighting teams, to verify the adequacy of firefighting and rescue and the implementation of preventive safety.
يتم التنسيق بين المديرية العامة للدفاع المدني وبين الأجهزة الإدارية التي لديها إدارات للسلامة أو فرق للإطفاء، وذلك للتأكد من كافية وفعالية رجال الإطفاء والإنقاذ
- Article 25
Article 25 requires government bodies and private institutions designated by a decision of the Minister of the Interior to appoint or assign someone responsible for safety and industrial security work, under a regulation issued by the Civil Defense Council.
على الوزارات والمصالح الحكومية والأشخاص ذوي الشخصية المعنوية العامة وكذلك المؤسسات الخاصة التي يصدر بتحديدها قرار من وزير الداخلية ورئيس مجلس الدفاع المدني أن ت
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.