Article 15 of the Saudi Municipalities Law
المادة 15 من نظام البلديات والقرى
The municipal council meets at least once a month on an invitation that includes an agenda, a member's written request made 4 days ahead must be added to it, and the council may not discuss items not on the agenda.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يجتمع المجلس البلدي في المكان المخصص له مرة في الشهر على الأقل بناء على دعوة رئيسه أو نائبه في حال غيابه، ويجب أن تشتمل الدعوة على جدول الأعمال، وعلى الرئيس أو نائبه أن يدرج في الجدول أي موضوع يطلب عضو في المجلس منه خطيا إدراجه في الجدول قبل أربعة أيام على الأقل من الاجتماع. وليس للمجلس أن يبحث في مواضيع غير مدرجة في الجدول.
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 15 explained in plain English
This article regulates the regular meetings of the municipal council:
- Place and frequency: the council meets in its designated place at least once a month; this is a minimum, and more meetings are allowed.
- The invitation: it is issued by the chairman of the council, or by the deputy in the chairman's absence.
- The agenda: the invitation must include it.
- The member's right: if a member asks in writing for an item to be put on the agenda at least 4 days before the meeting, the chairman or deputy must include it. This is an obligation, not left to the chairman's discretion, provided the request is in writing and on time.
- Limits on discussion: the council may not discuss matters that are not on the agenda.
The last rule protects members from being surprised by matters they have not prepared for, and makes the member's right to have an item included a practical way to raise what the member considers important.
Article 16 completes this provision by regulating emergency sessions: the chairman may call the council to one whenever the chairman sees a need, and must do so if most of the members ask for it, the session being held within two days at most of the request arriving, with discussion limited to the matters for which it was held. Article 14 refers the method of electing members to the Implementing Regulations.
Practical example
A member of a municipal council in Yanbu governorate noticed repeated pooling of rainwater in a neighborhood, and wrote to the chairman asking for the matter to be added a week before the monthly meeting. Under this article the chairman must include it on the agenda, because the request is in writing and at least 4 days ahead.
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 15 of the Saudi Municipalities Law
How often does the municipal council meet?
At least once a month, in its designated place, on an invitation from its chairman or from the deputy in the chairman's absence.
Can a municipal council member add an item to the agenda?
Yes, if the member asks in writing at least 4 days before the meeting, and the chairman or deputy must include it.
May the municipal council discuss an item that is not on the agenda?
No. The article provides that the council may not discuss matters that are not on the agenda.
More articles on Municipal Council Meetings and Decisions
- Article 16
The chairman of the municipal council may call an emergency session, and must if most members ask; it is held within two days of the request arriving and discusses only its own matters.
يجوز لرئيس المجلس البلدي دعوة المجلس لعقد جلسة طارئة كلما رأى ضرورة لذلك، وعلى الرئيس دعوة المجلس لجلسة طارئة إذا طلب منه ذلك أكثر أعضاء المجلس، وتعقد الجلسة خل
- Article 17
The chairman or any member of the municipal council must leave the session when a case relating to a private interest of theirs is discussed, and the council decides by secret ballot in their absence.
على رئيس المجلس أو أي عضو من أعضائه مغادرة الجلسة في كل مرة يبحث فيها المجلس قضية تتعلق بصورة مباشرة أو غير مباشرة بمصلحة خاصة له، وعلى المجلس أن يتخذ القرار با
- Article 18
Municipal council sessions are confidential, and the council may invite anyone whose presence it finds useful to attend, without a right to vote.
جلسات المجلس البلدي سرية، وللمجلس أن يدعو لحضور جلسات المجلس أي شخص يرى فائدة في حضوره، دون أن يكون له حق التصويت.
- Article 19
Municipal council sessions are not valid unless a majority of the members attend.
لا تعتبر جلسات المجلس البلدي نظامية إلا بحضور الأغلبية للأعضاء.
- Article 20
The municipal council takes decisions by a majority of those present, the chairman's or deputy's vote tips a tie, and voting is open but may be secret in important cases.
أ - يتخذ المجلس البلدي قراراته بأكثرية أصوات أعضائه الحاضرين، وفي حالة التساوي يكون صوت الرئيس أو نائبه في حال غيابه مرجحا. ب - يجرى التصويت بطريقة الاقتراع الع
- Article 21
The municipal council may form committees from some of its members to look into particular cases, with the result submitted to the council so that it takes the necessary decision.
يجوز للمجلس تشكيل لجان من بعض أعضائه للنظر في قضايا معينة، ورفع النتيجة فيها إلى المجلس لاتخاذ القرار اللازم.
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.