Article 6 of the Saudi Nuisance Law
المادة 6 من نظام الأنشطة المقلقة للراحة أو الخطرة أو المضرة بالصحة أو البيئة
The article punishes a violator of the Law with a fine up to SAR 30,000 and closure of the premises until the violation is removed, and a violator of the Regulations with a fine up to SAR 5,000, with removal or repair of the harm or compensation.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- مع عدم الإخلال بما تقضي به الأنظمة من عقوبات، يعاقب من ارتكب أي مخالفة لأحكام هذا النظام بغرامة لا تزيد على ثلاثين ألف ريال مع غلق محله حتى تتم إزالة المخالفة، وفي حالة العود يجوز- إضافة إلى ذلك- مصادرة محتويات المحل بحكم قضائي.
2- يعاقب كل من ارتكب أي مخالفة لأحكام اللائحة التنفيذية بغرامة لا تزيد على خمسة آلاف ريال، وتحدد اللائحة الأحكام التي يترتب على مخالفتها توقيع هذه العقوبة.
3- في جميع الأحوال يلزم المخالف بإزالة ما ينتج من ضرر عن مخالفته، أو بإصلاحه على نفقته، أو التعويض عنه.
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 6 explained in plain English
This article specifies the penalties for violations, and distinguishes between violating the Law and violating the Implementing Regulations:
- Violating the provisions of the Law: a fine not exceeding SAR 30,000, with closure of the premises until the violation is removed. In the case of repeat offending it is permitted, in addition, to confiscate the contents of the premises by court judgment. This is without prejudice to the penalties provided by other laws.
- Violating the provisions of the Implementing Regulations: a fine not exceeding SAR 5,000, and the Regulations specify the provisions whose violation leads to imposing this penalty.
- Removing the harm: in all cases the violator is obliged to remove the harm resulting from his violation, or to repair it at his expense, or to compensate for it.
Note that the amounts mentioned are upper limits, meaning the fine may be less than them, and that confiscation applies only on repeat offending and by court judgment.
Article 7 specifies the body that hears these violations and imposes the penalties, namely a committee or committees formed by the Minister of Interior, Chairman of the Civil Defense Council, or his delegate, and the penalties are not enforceable until approved, and the person against whom the decision is issued may file a grievance before the Board of Grievances. A person on whom a penalty was imposed would do best to consult a lawyer specializing in administrative cases.
Practical example
Abdulrahman operated a premises for an activity subject to the Law without a license, and his activity caused harm to his neighbors. Under this article he may be punished with a fine not exceeding SAR 30,000 with closure of the premises until the violation is removed, and be obliged to remove the harm or repair it at his expense or compensate for it. If he repeats the violation, the contents of the premises may be confiscated by court judgment.
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 6 of the Saudi Nuisance Law
What is the fine for violating the Nuisance Law?
A fine not exceeding SAR 30,000 with closure of the premises until the violation is removed, without prejudice to penalties in other laws.
When are the contents of the premises confiscated?
In the case of repeat offending, it is permitted, in addition to the fine and closure, to confiscate the contents of the premises by court judgment.
What is the penalty for violating the Implementing Regulations?
A fine not exceeding SAR 5,000, and the Regulations specify the provisions whose violation leads to this penalty.
Is the violator obliged to compensate for the harm?
Yes. In all cases the violator is obliged to remove the harm resulting from his violation, or repair it at his expense, or compensate for it.
More articles on Penalties for Nuisance Activity Violations
- Article 7
The article provides for committees formed by the Minister of Interior or his delegate to hear violations and impose penalties, which are enforceable only upon his approval, and the penalized person may file a grievance before the Board of Grievances.
1- يكون وزير الداخلية رئيس مجلس الدفاع المدني أو من يفوضه لجنة أو لجاناً تنظر في المخالفات وتوقيع العقوبات المنصوص عليها في المادة السادسة، ويراعى في تكوينها أن
- 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.