Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing has approved revised executive regulations for handling municipal violations, establishing a more stringent and transparent penalty framework.
The updated rules categorize offences into serious and non-serious violations, with punishments ranging from financial fines to temporary closures and license cancellations. Repeat violators will face automatically increased penalties for continued non-compliance.
According to the ministry, fines can reach up to SR2 million for major offences and up to SR1 million for less severe breaches. The penalty amount will vary based on the nature of the violation, the classification of the municipality, and the scale of the facility involved. Minor violators will be allowed a grace period to correct issues before sanctions are enforced.
The updated framework also empowers municipalities to impound and auction abandoned vehicles or equipment left in public spaces and to cut electricity supply at sites that fail to address serious infractions.
All violations will be tracked and documented electronically through the Momtathl and Efaa digital platforms, ensuring efficient processing, accurate records, and enhanced transparency.
The ministry stated that these reforms aim to strengthen regulatory enforcement, promote public safety, and support the governance and sustainability goals outlined in Saudi Vision 2030.