Article 1 of the Saudi Nuisance Law
المادة 1 من نظام الأنشطة المقلقة للراحة أو الخطرة أو المضرة بالصحة أو البيئة
The article bars establishing or operating a premises for an activity that disturbs comfort or is dangerous or harmful to health or the environment without a license, and treats expansion, adding an activity, changing operation and relocation as establishment.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
لا يجوز إنشاء أو تشغيل محل لممارسة نشاط من الأنشطة المقلقة للراحة أو الخطرة أو المضرة بالصحة أو البيئة إلا بترخيص من الجهات المختصة، ويعد في حكم الإنشاء التوسعة، أو إضافة نشاط جديد إلى المحل القائم، أو إحداث تغيير من شأنه تعديل كيفية التشغيل تعديلا كلياً أو جزئياً أو نقله إلى مكان آخر، وتحدد اللائحة التنفيذية الأنشطة التي يطبق عليها النظام، وأماكن وشروط ممارستها، والجهات المختصة بالإشراف عليها.
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 1 explained in plain English
This article is the foundation of the Law. It requires a prior license from the competent authorities for any premises carrying on an activity that disturbs comfort or is dangerous or harmful to health or the environment, whether when it is established or when it is operated.
The article does not limit the rule to opening a new premises, but treats the following cases as establishment, so they too need a license:
- Expanding the premises.
- Adding a new activity to the existing premises.
- Making a change that wholly or partly alters how it operates.
- Relocating the premises to another place.
The article refers to the Implementing Regulations on three matters: specifying the activities to which the Law applies, the places where they may be carried on and their conditions, and the authorities competent to supervise them. The article itself does not name the activities covered, and whether a particular activity is subject to the Law is learned by referring to the Regulations.
Article 2 complements this rule by requiring the licensee to apply for renewal at least thirty days before the end of its term. In practice, a person planning to open or develop a premises of this kind should check whether a license is needed before carrying it out, and may consult a lawyer specializing in administrative cases if needed.
Practical example
Ahmed owns a workshop in Riyadh licensed for a certain activity, and wanted to add a new activity to it and expand its area. Under this article, expansion and adding an activity are treated as establishment, so he may not carry them out except with a license from the competent 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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Frequently asked questions about Article 1 of the Saudi Nuisance Law
Do I need a new license if I move the premises to another place?
Yes. The article treats relocating the premises as establishment, so it is not permitted except with a license from the competent authorities.
What activities does the Law cover?
The article does not list them, but provides that the Implementing Regulations specify the activities to which the Law applies, the places and conditions of carrying them on and the authorities competent to supervise them.
Does changing how the premises operates need a license?
Yes. Making a change that wholly or partly alters how it operates is treated as establishment and needs a license.
More articles on Licensing Nuisance and Hazardous Activities
- Article 2
The article obliges the licensee to apply for renewal at least thirty days before the end of the license term, permits the competent authority to refuse renewal by a reasoned decision, and refers the details to the Regulations.
يجب على صاحب الترخيص أن يقدم طلب تجديده إلى الجهة المختصة قبل نهاية مدته بثلاثين يوما على الأقل، وللجهة المختصة بقرار مسبب رفض التجديد إذا اختل شرط من شروط منح
- Article 3
The article does not permit assigning the license for a disturbing or dangerous activity except to a person who meets the license conditions and after approval of the authority competent to issue it.
لا يجوز التنازل عن الترخيص إلا لمن تتوافر لديه شروطه وبعد موافقة الجهة المختصة بإصداره.
- Article 9
The article provides that the competent authorities collect the license fees and fines arising under this Law in accordance with the regulations in force.
تقوم الجهات المختصة بتحصيل رسوم الترخيص والغرامات وفقا للأنظمة المرعية.
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.