Article 3 of the Saudi Building Code Law
المادة 3 من نظام تطبيق كود البناء السعودي
The Ministry follows up and monitors the application of the Building Code, without prejudice to the right of the related authorities to carry out their tasks and responsibilities under their own laws.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
دون الإخلال بحق الجهات ذات العلاقة في ممارسة مهماتها واختصاصاتها وفقاً لأنظمتها، تتولى الوزارة متابعة تطبيق الكود ومراقبته.
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 3 explained in plain English
This article identifies the authority responsible for following up and monitoring the application of the Code: the Ministry, meaning the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs as defined in Article 1.
But the article does not make the Ministry the only authority, since it begins with the phrase "without prejudice to the right of the related authorities to carry out their tasks and responsibilities under their own laws." Under Article 1, the related authorities are the government bodies concerned with monitoring the application of the Code according to their jurisdiction, namely:
- The Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs.
- The Ministry of Interior (General Directorate of Civil Defense).
- The Ministry of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources.
- The Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization.
In practice, the Ministry takes the general role in following up and monitoring, while each of these authorities continues to exercise what its own laws give it. The article does not state how these authorities are coordinated or the limits of each one's jurisdiction.
This article follows Article 2, which makes the Code apply to all construction work in the public and private sectors, so the following up and monitoring here covers that whole scope. It is also linked to Article 4, which sets out the tasks of the National Committee in studying comments on the Code and proposing amendments to 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 3 of the Saudi Building Code Law
Which body monitors the application of the Building Code?
The Ministry follows up and monitors the application of the Code, without prejudice to the right of the related authorities to exercise their jurisdiction under their own laws.
Does Civil Defense have a role in monitoring the Building Code?
The Ministry of Interior (General Directorate of Civil Defense) is one of the related authorities under the definitions, and this article does not prejudice its right to exercise its jurisdiction under its own laws.
More articles on Scope of the Saudi Building Code
- Article 1Amended by M/204
This article defines the terms of the Law on Implementation of the Saudi Building Code, such as the Code, building, designer, contractor, supervisor, building permit, occupancy certificate, practice license and dangerous violation.
يقصد بالألفاظ والعبارات الآتية - أينما وردت في هذا النظام - المعاني المبينة أمام كل منها، ما لم يقتض السياق خلاف ذلك: الوزارة : وزارة الشؤون البلدية والقروية. ا
- Article 2
The article applies the Building Code to all public and private construction and to existing buildings when they are modified, with gradual application within 5 years and a ban on applying any code other than the Saudi Code.
1- يطبق الكود على جميع أعمال البناء في القطاعين العام والخاص، بما في ذلك تصميم البناء وتنفيذه وتشغيله وصيانته وتعديله، ويطبق كذلك على المباني القائمة في حالة تر
- Article 16
This article provides that the Saudi Building Code Law takes effect one year after its publication in the Official Gazette and repeals every provision that conflicts with it.
يُعمل بهذا النظام بعد سنة من تاريخ نشره في الجريدة الرسمية، ويلغي كل ما يتعارض معه من أحكام.
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.