Article 13 of the Saudi Building Code Law
المادة 13 من نظام تطبيق كود البناء السعودي
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
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 المعلومات وفقاً لما تحدده اللوائح.
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 13 explained in plain English
This article sets out who detects Code violations and how.
Who detects: specialists who meet the following conditions:
- They must be specialists qualified in the Code.
- They must be from the related authorities, which under Article 1 are the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs, the Ministry of Interior (General Directorate of Civil Defense), the Ministry of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources, and the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization.
- They must be named by decision of their authorities.
Their task: detecting Code violations and documenting them.
How detection is done: a violation is detected by a report in which the information is recorded as the regulations determine. The Law does not set the content of the report; it leaves this to the regulations.
This article matters because the report is the basis for what follows a violation. The penalties in Article 12, namely a fine of up to SAR 1 million per violation in one building and suspension of the practice license for one month to one year, rest on an established violation. The committee provided for in Article 14 considers violations and imposes penalties, and its decisions may be challenged before the Board of Grievances.
Anyone against whom a violation has been detected should review the report and what is recorded in it, and consult a lawyer specializing in administrative matters if needed.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
How we write and review contentAdministrative Law lawyers: ask a specialist about your case
Describe your situation briefly and we'll suggest a lawyer who specialises in this law
Administrative Law (Board of Grievances) lawyers
Lawyers who handle this kind of case
Dr. Ali Al-Rubaie Law Office and Ittihad Al-Asr Legal Company
Al-Safwa Law Office and Legal Consultancy
Frequently asked questions about Article 13 of the Saudi Building Code Law
Who detects building code violations?
Specialists qualified in the Code from the related authorities, named by decision of their authorities.
How is a building code violation established?
A violation is detected by a report in which the information is recorded as the regulations determine.
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 11
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.
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 ال
- 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
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.