Article 45 of the Saudi Municipalities Law
المادة 45 من نظام البلديات والقرى
The head of the municipality may temporarily suspend licenses and permits if their holder violates their contents, and may cancel them after the municipal council's approval.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
لرئيس البلدية إيقاف مفعول الرخص والإجازات مؤقتا إذا خالف صاحبها مضمونها، كما يمكن له بعد موافقة المجلس البلدي إلغاء هذه الرخص والإجازات.
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 45 explained in plain English
This article regulates the penalty for violating municipal licenses, and distinguishes two measures:
First: Temporary suspension.
- Who has the power? The head of the municipality.
- When? If the holder of the license or permit violates its contents, that is, uses it contrary to what it was granted for.
- Its nature: temporary, suspending the license's effect without ending it.
Second: Cancellation.
- Who has the power? The head of the municipality as well.
- The condition: after the municipal council's approval; the head of the municipality cannot cancel alone.
The gradation is clear: temporary suspension is a lighter measure that the head of the municipality alone holds upon a violation, whereas cancellation is a more severe measure that needs the council's approval. The article does not set a period for the temporary suspension, or specific cases for cancellation.
Before it comes Article 44, which allows the municipality, by order of its head, to carry out its orders at the expense of the refusing party within the limits of the law, with the penalty remaining. It is followed by Article 46, which gives anyone harmed by actions and decisions of the municipal council or the head of the municipality the right to file a grievance with the Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs; a license holder harmed by its suspension or cancellation can take this route.
Anyone whose license has been suspended or cancelled should consult a lawyer specialized in administrative cases.
Practical example
A shop owner in Riyadh obtained a license to sell food, then converted part of the shop into a workshop without a permit, violating the contents of the license. Under this article the head of the municipality may temporarily suspend the license, and may cancel it only after the municipal council's approval.
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 45 of the Saudi Municipalities Law
May the municipality suspend a shop's license?
Yes. The head of the municipality may temporarily suspend licenses and permits if their holder violates their contents.
Who can cancel a municipal license?
The head of the municipality, but after the municipal council's approval.
What can I do if I am harmed by the suspension of my license?
Article 46 gives anyone harmed by decisions of the head of the municipality the right to file a grievance with the Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs.
More articles on Municipal Permits and Enforcement of Municipal Orders
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.