RIYADH — The Saudi Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing has introduced updated guidelines for the construction of various types of residential buildings, including villas, residential complexes, commercial-residential structures, and administrative-residential buildings. These updates now permit an increase in the height of residential villas and construction ratios across all floors.
The new specifications include several provisions designed to simplify construction processes while ensuring the safety and integrity of buildings. These provisions aim to protect buildings from potential risks and ensure the highest standards in construction, such as increasing the permissible built area for residential and mixed-use buildings and reducing the setback requirements—the minimum open space needed around a building—specifically for residential villas.
Key updates include raising the maximum height for residential villas, side walls, and rooftops, as well as increasing construction ratios for all floors, including the upper annex. The guidelines now allow villas to be built with reduced setbacks on all sides at the ground floor level, provided that public health and safety standards, as outlined in the Saudi Building Code, are met. The code covers material specifications, quality of implementation, and reference manuals and codes.
For residential villas, the guidelines specify that the total building area on the ground floor, including annexes, should not exceed 75% of the land area. Similarly, the first-floor area should not exceed 75% of the land area, and the upper annex should not surpass 70% of the floor area directly below it, including stairs and elevators. If the upper annex is intended as a separate residential unit, an additional parking space must be provided within the property boundaries.
Moreover, the upper annex must maintain a minimum setback of 1.5 meters from surrounding streets, squares, and open areas. Villas on plots of 400 square meters (sqm) or less must have at least one parking space within the property, while those on larger plots must provide two parking spaces.
The Ministry emphasized in a statement on Monday that these updated requirements, which align with international best practices, are intended to meet the needs and aspirations of end users. The new regulations will apply to all new building permits and will take effect from the date of publication.
The updated guidelines encompass spatial organization and technical requirements, including architectural, structural, electrical, mechanical, health, fire prevention, and material specifications, as well as execution quality.
These changes are part of the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to streamline procedures, standardize construction licensing requirements, and align them with the Saudi Building Code. The goal is to enhance public health and safety while improving the urban landscape.
The Ministry highlighted that these new requirements align with global best practices aimed at raising the quality of life, promoting investment, and enhancing the urban environment in Saudi cities. These guidelines will help regulate the development process and positively impact the urban fabric across the Kingdom.
The Ministry also noted that these requirements are consistent with ongoing development projects in the residential sector and the strategic and structural plans for cities throughout the Kingdom. Property owners, contractors, and engineering firms are encouraged to review the new guidelines by visiting this link.
