Article 7 of the Saudi Eminent Domain Implementing Regulations
المادة 7 من اللائحة التنفيذية لنظام نزع ملكية العقارات للمنفعة العامة ووضع اليد المؤقت على العقار
The article provides that the owner of land of ten thousand square meters or less is compensated, by the project-owning authority, for the whole area taken to build main road networks.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
الأراضي المملوكة البالغة مساحتها (10.000 م2) عشرة آلاف متر مربع فأقل يتم التعويض عن كامل المساحة المقتطعة لتنفيذ شبكات الطرق الرئيسة من قبل الجهة صاحبة المشروع.
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 7 explained in plain English
This article sets a clear rule for small owners when main roads pass through their land:
- Scope: Owned land with an area of 10,000 m² or less.
- The rule: The owner is compensated for the whole area taken to build main road networks.
- Who pays: The project-owning authority.
The practical meaning is that nothing is taken free of charge from the owner of land not exceeding ten thousand square meters for the benefit of the main road; he is compensated for every meter taken. Main roads, under Article 1 of the Regulations, are roads designed to absorb the largest part of the traffic entering or leaving the city and most passing traffic and to link parts of the city.
The article does not address land exceeding ten thousand square meters, or taking for roads other than main roads, which are covered by other provisions of the Regulations. Nor does it set out how the amount of compensation is assessed.
Anyone part of whose small plot was taken for a main road can consult a lawyer specializing in real estate matters to be sure he receives his due.
Practical example
Abdullah owns 8,000 m² of land on the outskirts of Riyadh, and an approved main road passing through it took 1,500 m² from it. He is compensated for the full 1,500 m² by the project-owning authority.
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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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 7 of the Saudi Eminent Domain Implementing Regulations
Is the owner of land of less than ten thousand meters compensated for a main road?
Yes. He is compensated for the whole area taken to build main road networks if his land is 10,000 m² or less.
Who pays the compensation?
The project-owning authority.
More articles on Compensation for Cuts for Roads and Planning
- Article 8
The article provides for compensating the owner of planned white land from which the statutory percentage was taken and which a main road then crosses, unless the remaining undeveloped area exceeds ten thousand meters.
الأراضي البيضاء (الفضاء) المملوكة التي سبق أن اعتمدت وزارة الشؤون البلدية والقروية مخططها وأخذت النسبة النظامية منها، ثم مر بها طريق رئيس معتمد، يعوض مالكها عن
- Article 9
The article provides that when a main road passes through developed land, of whatever kind of development, compensation is paid for the areas taken and for the buildings, facilities and plantings on them.
في حالة مرور طريق رئيس ضمن أراض منماة - أيًّا كان نوع التنمية - يتم التعويض عن المساحات المقتطعة وما يوجد عليها من مبانٍ ومنشآت وغراس.
- Article 10
The article provides that the owner of developed land who requests its planning or subdivision is not compensated for what is taken from it within the statutory percentage, nor for what exceeds it if at his request or with his consent.
إذا طلب مالك الأرض المنماة تخطيطها أو تقسيمها فلا يعوض عما يقتطع منها لذلك في حدود النسبة النظامية، ولا يعوض إذا كان تجاوُز النسبة النظامية بناءً على طلبه أو مو
- Article 11
The article details the landowner's entitlement to compensation for what is taken for planning or main roads, inside and outside the development protection boundary, according to the statutory percentage or the 12% rate and the ten-thousand-square-meter limit.
يستحق مالك الأرض التعويض عما يقتطع لمصلحة التخطيط أو لتحديد وتنفيذ شبكات الطرق الرئيسة، وفقاً لما يأتي : أولاً : بالنسبة إلى ما هو واقع داخل حدود حماية التنمية
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.