Article 9 of the Saudi Building Code Law

This article sets a clear rule: a building may not be occupied except under an occupancy certificate. Under Article 1, an occupancy certificate is permission to occupy the building, issued by the municipal body (the amanah or municipality) after confirming that it complies with the Code.

The article contains the following elements:

• The basis: the certificate is issued according to the occupancy classification in the Code, that is, according to the type of use of the building as the Code classifies it.
• Procedures and periods: the regulations set them; the Law does not state them.
• Electricity: the occupancy certificate is an essential condition for the full release of electric current.

According to the record of amendments, a phrase providing that the occupancy certificate is an essential condition for connecting services was earlier removed from the article, and the wording on the full release of electric current was then added by Royal Decree No. M/88 dated 10/4/1446 AH. The text in force therefore speaks specifically of the full release of electricity and does not address other services.

In practice, an owner should not live in, rent out or use the building before obtaining the occupancy certificate, and the full release of electric current depends on it. The building's compliance with the Code is connected with the designer's, contractor's and supervisor's obligation to follow the Code under Article 8. Where there is difficulty in obtaining the certificate, a lawyer specializing in administrative and real estate matters can be consulted.