Article 17 of the Saudi Municipal Penalties Regulations

Article 17 sets out the relationship between the current Regulations and those before them, and contains two provisions:

• Replacement: these Regulations replace the Regulations of Fines and Penalties for Municipal Violations issued by Council of Ministers Resolution No. (218) dated 6/8/1422 AH.
• Repeal: these Regulations repeal any provisions that conflict with them.

The first provision concerns the previous regulations specifically, while the second is general and covers any provision that conflicts with the current Regulations wherever it appears. The repeal is limited to conflict; what does not conflict with them is not covered by this provision.

The Article does not state the content of the previous regulations and contains no transitional provisions for violations that occurred under them.

The Article follows Article 16 on rewards for those who help uncover violations and for outstanding inspectors. It is followed by Article 18, which sets the start of the Regulations' effect thirty days after publication in the Official Gazette, with the possibility of extending this period for some provisions by decision of the Minister, not exceeding one hundred and eighty days from the date of publication. Reading the two Articles together, the replacement of the previous regulations is tied to the date the Regulations take effect.

Anyone with a violation that occurred near the date of transition between the two regulations who wants to know which provisions apply may consult a specialized lawyer in administrative matters (the Board of Grievances).