Article 6 of the Saudi Building Code Law

This article links the Code to permits, which is one of its most important practical effects. It makes compliance with the Code one of the requirements for obtaining any of the following permits:

• A building permit.
• A restoration permit.
• A modification permit.
• A change-of-use permit.

This provision is limited in time: it applies after the Law is in force under the gradual application referred to in paragraph 2 of Article 2. That paragraph provides that the Code is applied gradually as the regulations determine, within a period not exceeding 5 years from the date the Law takes effect. How far the Code is required for a permit therefore depends on the stage of gradual application that the regulations set.

These permits correspond to the cases mentioned in paragraph 1 of Article 2, under which the Code applies to all construction work and to existing buildings when they are restored, their use is changed, they are expanded or they are modified. A building permit, under Article 1, is permission to build issued by the municipal body, that is, the amanah or municipality.

Note that the text says "one of the requirements", meaning that compliance with the Code is not the only condition for the permit, and there may be other requirements this article does not mention. Anyone whose permit application is refused for non-compliance should consider consulting a lawyer specializing in administrative and real estate matters.