Article 2 of the Saudi Nuisance Law
المادة 2 من نظام الأنشطة المقلقة للراحة أو الخطرة أو المضرة بالصحة أو البيئة
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
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 الترخيص أو تغيرت الظروف، وتحدد اللائحة التنفيذية شروط إصدار الترخيص وتجديده، وإلغائه، ومدته، والمهلة اللازمة لتصحيح وضعه.
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 2 explained in plain English
This article regulates renewal of the license required by Article 1 for premises with activities that disturb comfort or are dangerous or harmful to health or the environment, and has three provisions:
- Time for applying for renewal: the licensee must submit the renewal application to the competent authority at least thirty days before the end of the license term. He does not wait until the license ends.
- Refusal of renewal: the competent authority may refuse renewal, but on two conditions: that it is by a reasoned decision, and that the reason is one of two things: a defect in one of the conditions for granting the license, or a change in circumstances.
- Referral to the Regulations: the Implementing Regulations specify the conditions for issuing, renewing and cancelling the license, its term, and the time needed to correct its status. The article does not state the license term or the length of the correction period; these are known from the Regulations.
The requirement of reasons means the owner of the premises knows the reason for refusal. Article 3 complements the provisions on the license by barring its assignment except to a person who meets its conditions and with the approval of the competent authority. A person against whom a decision refusing renewal has been issued and who wants to assess his position would do best to consult a lawyer specializing in administrative cases.
Practical example
The license of a small factory owned by a company in Jeddah ends in two months. Under this article, the company must submit the renewal application at least thirty days before the end of the term. If the competent authority considers that one of the conditions of the license has been defective, it may refuse renewal by a decision stating its reasons.
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 2 of the Saudi Nuisance Law
When must the license renewal application be submitted?
It must be submitted to the competent authority at least thirty days before the end of the license term.
Can the competent authority refuse to renew the license?
Yes, by a reasoned decision if one of the conditions for granting the license is defective or circumstances have changed.
What is the term of the license?
The article does not state it, but provides that the Implementing Regulations specify the license term and the conditions for issuing, renewing and cancelling it and the time needed to correct its status.
More articles on Licensing Nuisance and Hazardous Activities
- Article 1
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.
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
- 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.