Before you start building your factory in an industrial city, you need a building permit issued through MODON's building permit service, after the drawings are approved through the drawing approval service the authority provides to engineering offices. The quality of the technical file is the biggest factor in how fast approval comes: a complete, coordinated file passes with few comments, while an incomplete one is returned repeatedly and delays the start of construction and production. This guide explains the technical references, the usual technical file components for each discipline, why the safety drawing matters from the start, facilities with additional requirements, and mistakes that cause comments.
Technical References
- Building standards and requirements guides for industrial cities published on the MODON website. Read: Building requirements in industrial cities.
- Health, safety and environment guides and energy efficiency requirements for factories from the MODON guides library.
- The Saudi Building Code and its disciplines, including the general code SBC 201 and the Saudi Fire Code SBC 801.
Usual Technical File Components
| Discipline | What it usually includes |
|---|---|
| Site plan | Building layout, setbacks, entrances, internal roads, parking and loading areas |
| Architectural | Plans, elevations and sections for production halls, warehouses and administration |
| Structural | Foundations, the frame (concrete or steel) and calculations |
| Electrical | Loads, distribution, single-line diagram and lighting |
| Mechanical and plumbing | Air conditioning, ventilation, water supply and drainage |
| Safety | Alarm and fire-fighting systems and escape routes |
Supporting Documents
- The land lease or allocation in the industrial city.
- The site's soil investigation report. Read: The soil investigation report.
- A description of the activity, production line and materials used.
- Structural, electrical and hydraulic calculations.
Why the Safety Drawing Matters From the Start
One of the later attachments to the operating licence application is a safety drawing approved by MODON. Designing safety systems within the building file prevents costly changes at operation. Read: Certificates required before factory operation and Civil defense requirements for factories.
Facilities With Additional Requirements
MODON's conditions list categories needing special attention, including facilities manufacturing or storing flammable compressed gases such as oxygen, LPG and acetylene, facilities with smelting and high-temperature activities, and facilities with industrial boilers running on gas or diesel. These need a design that addresses their requirements from the start. Food factories also have special requirements. Read: Food factory requirements in MODON.
A Design That Serves Production
The technical file is not just paperwork for approval; it is the factory itself. So start from the production line, material flow and loading areas. Read: Designing a factory around the production line and Loading dock design.
Mistakes That Cause Comments
- A site plan not matching MODON's requirements.
- No coordination between structural and MEP.
- Neglecting the activity's special requirements.
- Incomplete or missing calculations.
Read: The most common MODON comments on factory drawings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who submits the drawings for approval?
The engineering office, through the drawing approval service MODON provides to engineering offices.
Is a steel structure required?
It depends on the activity and spans. Read: Steel or concrete hangars.
Do I need a soil study?
Foundations are designed on the soil report's findings. Read: The soil investigation report.
How long does the permit take?
It depends on the file's quality and rounds of comments. Read: MODON building permit duration.
Can I start with one phase and expand later?
Yes, and it is best to design the site plan to accommodate expansion. Read: Factory expansion in MODON.
How Abak Engineering Consultancy Helps
Abak is an accredited engineering office that prepares the complete technical file for factory building permits in MODON across all disciplines, including the safety drawing, and follows up approval and comments until the permit is issued. See our factory building permit service, or contact us.
Regulatory information is based on the Balady platform and the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing, and procedures may be updated by the competent authority. Last reviewed: October 2026.
