Obtain a geotechnical study / soil test
Agency: Private firms
BuildCo will request a soil test for the structural calculations for the foundation.
Time and cost: 7 days, SAR 4,000
Obtain a topographical study of the land
Agency: Private firms
Time and cost: 2 days, SAR 1,500
Obtain surveyor’s report from Riyadh Municipality outlining the building standards
Agency: Riyadh Municipality
After the inspection, the Municipality issues a set of building standards (in a “surveyor’s report”) that need to be adhered to.
BuildCo must obtain a surveyor’s report from the Municipality prior to requesting the building permit. The report outlines whether the intended project can be built on the particular location. It also indicates the boundaries, leveling and area of the land. This report is needed for the consultant to prepare the drawings.
Time and cost: 3 days, no charge
Hire independent authorized engineer
Agency: Private Company
To apply for the building permit, BuildCo must hire an independent authorized engineering firm for the drawings and supervise the building permit application.
The new online platform allows the client to select the authorized engineering firm from a drop down menu, however this is only to formally notify the Municipality. BuildCo would still have to draft and sign a separate contract with the independent engineering firm.
Time and cost: 1 day, SAR 52,024
Request and obtain construction permit
Agency: Riyadh Municipality
BuildCo submits the application file with all the supporting documentation through the online portal located on the Riyadh Municipality website (http://eservices.alriyadh.gov.sa).
Documents include:
- A cover page
- Legal documentation from the owner of the land (in this case BuildCo), and the design engineer (in this case, an employee of BuildCo)
- A copy of the applicant’s identity card
- Surveyor’s report from the branch municipality
- Draft of the building permit, which has been prepared in advance by BuildCo and contains full information including the instrument number, street name, the name of the neighborhood, rebounds and components of construction and the amount of construction drawings and number and the date of receipt of payment, and the general location of all data set forth in the license
- Building plans drawn to a 50/1 scale with all the annexes
- Copy of the final plans
Incomplete files will not be accepted for further processing. Once all documents are submitted, the system will generate the permit fees, which can also be paid online through the Sadad Payment System.
Time and cost: 19 days, SAR 7,804
Request and obtain Civil Defense approval prior to installation
Agency: Civil Defense
The building firm needs to submit fire and safety drawings as well as hydraulic calculations to the Civil Defense in order to obtain their approval. The Civil Defense confirms that the design is done in compliance with all the safety standards. If everything is in compliance with the existing standards, the department of Civil Defense issues the approval. The application is submitted in-person to present all the original documents.
This procedure can be done in less time (7 days) if BuildCo hires an approved Civil Defense consultant.
Time and cost: 30 days, no charge
Request and receive inspection at the beginning of construction
Agency: Riyadh Municipality
Once the building permit is obtained the engineering firm notifies the Municipality of commencement of construction work, through the online portal Balady, and receives the first site inspection. For small projects like the warehouse, the supervision is done by the in-house engineer and the Municipality may conduct a random inspection during construction.
However, for larger projects, the supervising engineer has to notify the Municipality at each phase and receive the inspection before proceeding with the construction work.
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Request and receive certificate of completion from the Riyadh Municipality
Agency: Riyadh Municipality
The customer notifies the Branch Municipality electronically that construction reached 80% of completion. Based on the supervising engineer’s report, the certificate of completion is issued and delivered online. Once the certificate of completion is issued, this information is automatically sent to Sewage, Water, Power and Civil Defense.
Time and cost: 2 days, no charge
Request letter of approval from Civil Defense
Agency: Civil Defense
BuildCo must visit the Civil Defense agency in person to request the letter of approval. The Civil Defense must then visit the site to approve that the warehouse is safe for commercial use.
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Receive final inspection by Civil Defense
Agency: Civil Defense
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Obtain water and sewage connection
Agency: National Water Company
Once the completion certificate is issued, the Municipality will automatically inform the National Water Company (NWC) to start the connection process. However, it is still common for engineering firms to visit the NWC in person and follow up on the process.
Time and cost: 30 days, SAR 16,250
Obtain letter of approval from Civil Defense
Agency: Civil Defense
If the completed building complies with all the fire safety regulations, the Civil Defense issues a letter of approval.
Time and cost: 12 days, no charge
Request and receive final inspection to issue certificate of occupancy
Agency: Riyadh Municipality
Municipality appoints an inspector who will check that all the set backs are in order. Inspectors also check the height of all floors and all the other standard building parameters. Everything has to be built in accordance with previously submitted plans. Inspectors also take multiple pictures of the constructed object for reporting and filing purposes.
The final inspection report can be obtained electronically through the Municipality’s website.
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Obtain occupancy certificate
Agency: Riyadh Municipality
After the inspection is done and the report submitted, the occupancy certificate is issued online.
Time and cost: 8 days, no charge
