Received a message from Balady that your building permit application was returned to the engineering office? That is common. In most cases the application is not rejected outright; it comes back with comments that must be addressed. This article explains the reasons building permits are rejected or returned, the stages where this happens, and how to avoid it from the start.
Where Is a Building Permit Application Returned?
According to the service description on Balady, the application goes through two review stages in which it can be returned to the design office:
- Technical review: the technical inspection company checks that the designs comply with the Saudi Building Code.
- Municipal review: a municipal officer reviews the application after it has been technically approved.
The application can also stall at the contracting and insurance stages if they are not completed. Details of the stages are in the Balady building permit guide.
Common Reasons for Returned Applications and Their Solutions
1. Missing or outdated documents
Such as a title deed that has not been updated electronically, a missing soil report, or no traffic study where the activity requires one. Solution: review the full list in new building permit requirements before you start.
2. An expired survey decision, or one that does not match the site
When the land's boundaries or dimensions differ from reality, or the decision has expired. Solution: verify the survey decision before design, and update it when needed through our survey report service.
3. Non-compliance with the Saudi Building Code
Structural comments, or safety or accessibility requirements that the designs do not meet, so the technical reviewer returns them. Solution: design to the code from the start, and review the drawings internally before submission. See our structural drawing review and approval service.
4. Violating the zone's building requirements
Such as setbacks, the number of floors, the permitted building ratio, or the use. Solution: check the site requirements before drawing the plan. See our architectural drawings according to the Saudi code.
5. Conflicts between drawings
The architectural drawings do not match the structural drawings or the electrical and mechanical drawings. Solution: coordinate the disciplines before submission, which is the advantage of working with one multidisciplinary office.
6. Approvals from other entities depending on the activity
Some activities require additional government approvals, such as Civil Defense requirements. Solution: review Balady's list of required government notices and approvals for the activity and prepare them early. See our Civil Defense license service.
7. The contracting or insurance stage stalls
The supervisor or contractor is slow to accept the assignment, or the insurance policy is paid late. Balady notes that the permit is not valid for use until the insurance policy is paid. Solution: agree with the supervisor and the contractor before reaching this stage.
How to Deal with Comments When They Arrive
- Ask your office for the comment's exact wording, not a summary of it.
- Address all comments in one go, to avoid repeated return rounds.
- Document the changes clearly on the drawings when resubmitting.
- If the same comment keeps coming back, look at the root cause (the survey decision or site requirements) rather than only editing the drawing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a returned application mean it has been rejected for good?
No. Usually the application goes back to the design office to address the comments and is then resubmitted.
Who is responsible for addressing the comments?
The design engineering office, because it prepared the designs and submitted the application.
Do comments affect how long the permit takes?
Yes, every round of comments adds time to the application. Read: How long does a building permit take and how much does it cost?
How Abak Engineering Consultancy Helps
Abak is an accredited engineering office in Riyadh that handles the entire permit journey on Balady: preparing architectural and structural drawings according to the Saudi Building Code, following up technical review and municipal comments, and then supervising construction until the occupancy certificate is issued. Learn about our new building permit service, or contact us to review your case.
For other permit types: The complete guide to building permits in Saudi Arabia.
The stages are based on the "Issuing a Building Permit" service description on Balady and may be updated by the competent authority. Last reviewed: October 2026.
