Article 6 of the Saudi White Land Fees Law
المادة 6 من نظام رسوم الأراضي البيضاء
The article penalizes anyone who violates the White Land Fees Law and its regulations with a fine not exceeding the fee due on their land or vacant property, while still requiring payment of the fee.
Official text after amendments (Arabic)
Compiled from the original text and every officially published amendment; the amendments are shown in full below for comparison.
يعاقب كل من يخالف أحكام النظام واللوائح بغرامة مالية لا تزيد على مقدار الرسم المستحق على أرضه أو عقاره الشاغر، ولا يخل ذلك بإلزام المخالف بسداد الرسم المستحق.
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 6 explained in plain English
This article sets the penalty for violating the Law and its regulations. The text shown is the version in force after its amendment by Royal Decree No. M/244 dated 7/11/1446 AH.
- Who is penalized? Anyone who violates the provisions of the Law or the regulations. The text is general and covers violating any provision of the Law or its regulations, including the duty under Article 5 to submit documents and data to the Ministry.
- Type of penalty: A financial fine.
- Its maximum: The fine may not exceed the amount of the fee due on the violator's land or vacant property. The article sets a ceiling for the fine tied to the fee itself, and sets no minimum.
- The fee remains due: The fine does not replace the fee; the violator remains required to pay the fee due in addition to the fine.
Article 5 provides that the owner of the property is in all cases the first person responsible for paying the fees or fines in the Law, unless one in the owner's position pays them.
The body that hears violations and applies this penalty is governed by Article 7, under which the Minister forms by decision one or more committees of at least three members to hear violations and apply penalties, and their decisions may be challenged before the competent administrative court. Anyone fined is best advised to consult a lawyer specialized in administrative and real estate cases.
Practical example
Faisal owns land subject to the fee in Dammam and did not comply with the Law and regulations, so a fee of SAR 100,000 became due on it. Under this article, the fine on him may not exceed SAR 100,000, and he remains required to pay the fee due itself in addition to the fine.
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 6 of the Saudi White Land Fees Law
What is the fine for violating the White Land Fees Law?
A financial fine not exceeding the amount of the fee due on the violator's land or vacant property.
Does paying the fine exempt me from paying the fee?
No. The penalty does not affect the violator's obligation to pay the fee due.
Who applies the white land fine?
The committee formed by decision of the Minister under Article 7, whose decisions may be challenged before the competent administrative court.
Amendment history
Royal Decree No. M/244 — 7/11/1446 AH
Official amendment text (Arabic)
- عُدلت هذه المادة وذلك بموجب المرسوم الملكي رقم (م/244) وتاريخ 1446/11/7هـ، لتكون بالنص الآتي:
"المادة السادسة: يعاقب كل من يخالف أحكام النظام واللوائح بغرامة مالية لا تزيد على مقدار الرسم المستحق على أرضه أو عقاره الشاغر، ولا يخل ذلك بإلزام المخالف بسداد الرسم المستحق".
Original text before the amendments (Arabic)
يعاقب كل من يخالف أحكام النظام واللائحة بغرامة مالية لا تزيد على مقدار الرسم المستحق على أرضه ، ولا يخل ذلك بإلزامه بسداد الرسم المستحق.
More articles on Penalty for Violating the White Land Fees Law
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.