Article 11 of the Saudi Building Code Law
المادة 11 من نظام تطبيق كود البناء السعودي
For a dangerous violation, this article requires the related authority to notify the violator and stop the construction, bar occupancy or evacuate the building until the violation is corrected, and refer it to the committee within 5 working days.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
عندما تكون المخالفة خطرة، فعلى الجهة ذات العلاقة إشعار المخالف بها، وإيقاف البناء أو الجزء أو القسم الذي يشكل الخطورة أو منع الإشغال أو إخلاء المبنى حتى يزيل المخالف المخالفة أو يصححها بما يتفق مع الكود، وإحالة المخالفة إلى اللجنة المنصوص عليها في المادة (الرابعة عشرة) من النظام خلال مدة لا تتجاوز خمسة أيام عمل من تاريخ ضبط المخالفة.
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 11 explained in plain English
This article deals with the dangerous violation, which under Article 1 is any violation of the Code that results in putting lives or property at risk. Because the danger is present, the article does not simply grant a grace period as Article 10 does, but requires the related authority to do the following:
- Notify the violator of the violation.
- Take one of the following measures, as the case may be:
- Stop the construction, or the part or section that poses the danger.
- Or bar occupancy.
- Or evacuate the building.
- Refer the violation to the committee provided for in Article 14 within a period not exceeding 5 working days from the date the violation is detected.
Note that the stoppage may be limited to the dangerous part or section without the rest of the building. Referral here is also mandatory within 5 working days, without waiting for a correction period to end as in Article 10.
The committee provided for in Article 14 considers violations and imposes the penalties provided for in Article 12, and its decisions may be challenged before the Board of Grievances in accordance with its law. Anyone subject to a stoppage or evacuation who believes the violation is not dangerous should consider consulting a lawyer specializing in administrative matters without delay.
Practical example
In a commercial building in Jeddah, the related authority detected a violation in one section that puts lives at risk. It notified the owner, stopped work in that section and barred its occupancy until the violation was corrected, and referred the violation to the committee provided for in Article 14 within 5 working days of detecting it.
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 11 of the Saudi Building Code Law
What are the steps for a dangerous building violation?
Notify the violator, stop the construction or the dangerous part, bar occupancy or evacuate the building until it is corrected, and refer the violation to the committee within 5 working days.
When is a dangerous violation referred to the committee?
Within a period not exceeding 5 working days from the date the violation is detected.
Can only part of the building be stopped?
Yes. The article allows stopping the part or section that poses the danger.
How long does the stoppage or occupancy ban last?
Until the violator removes or corrects the violation so that it complies with the Code.
Articles this article refers to
More articles on Building Code Violations and Penalties
- Article 10
This article requires anyone who violates the Code to remove or correct the violation within a period set by the related authority after being notified, failing which the violation is referred to the committee provided for in Article 14.
على كل من خالف الكود إزالة المخالفة أو تصحيحها بما يتفق مع الكود في مدة تحددها الجهة ذات العلاقة، ويشعر المخالف بذلك. وإذا لم يُزِل المخالف المخالفة أو يصححها خ
- Article 12
This article punishes anyone who violates the Code, the Law or its regulations with a fine of up to SAR 1 million per violation in one building, a suspension of the practice license for one month to one year, or both.
مع مراعاة ما ورد في المادتين (العاشرة) و(الحادية عشرة) من النظام، يعاقب كل من يخالف الكود أو أيًّا من أحكام النظام أو لوائحه بأي من العقوبتين الآتيتين أو بكلتيه
- Article 13
This article assigns detecting and documenting Code violations to specialists qualified in the Code from the related authorities, named by decision of their authorities, with detection made by a report completed as the regulations determine.
يتولى ضبط مخالفات الكود وتوثيقها مختصون مؤهلون في الكود من الجهات ذات العلاقة، يصدر بتسميتهم قرار من جهاتهم، على أن يكون ضبط المخالفة بموجب محضر تدون فيه المعلو
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.