Issuing a building compliance certificate in Saudi Arabia: a comprehensive guide

The kingdom of Saudi Arabia is witnessing a significant development in the urban sector, which necessitated the enactment of a set of laws and regulations that ensure the quality and safety of construction and meet all requirements. One of the most important of these systems is the service of issuing a certificate of compliance of buildings, which is an official document confirming the conformity of the completed construction to the approved building permit. It is issued by municipal authorities through the "Baladi" platform, and is a basic requirement for obtaining other government services such as electricity supply, or obtaining a building completion certificate.

What is the certificate of compliance of buildings

The building compliance certificate is an electronic document issued by the concerned municipality through the Baladi platform, stating that the building has been constructed in accordance with the building permit in terms of Area, height, number of floors, use, and compliance with the Saudi Building Code.

The importance of a certificate of compliance

This certificate is necessary for several reasons:

1. Checking the integrity of the building and its compliance with the building code.

2. Access to electricity, water and communication services.

3. Completion of the procedures for the sale or discharge of real estate at the notary's office.

4. Maintaining the general safety of buildings and neighbors.

5. Prevent encroachments and irregularities that may affect the infrastructure of the city.

Cases requiring the issuance of a certificate of compliance

- When the pre-authorized construction is completed.

- In case of requesting the delivery of electricity or water service to the building.

- Before applying for a building completion certificate.

- When transferring ownership of the property.

- In cases of periodic inspection or at the request of official authorities.

Requirements for issuing a certificate of compliance

To issue a certificate, the following documents must be provided:

- Original building permit number.

- The geographical location of the property.

- National ID or commercial registration (for establishments).

- Electronic authorization in case there is an agent.

- Report of the authorized Engineering Supervision Bureau (in some cases).

- Recent photos of the building from the inside and outside.

- Approved general site plan.

Steps for issuing a certificate of compliance of buildings via the "Baladi"platform

1. Login to my platform: https://balady.gov.sa

2. Login via the unified national access.

3. From the list, choose the services of construction licenses.

4. Click on the issue of a certificate of compliance.

5. Enter the building permit number and the required information.

6. Attach the required documents.

7. Submit the application and wait for the visit of the municipal examiner or engineering office.

8. In the absence of violations, the certificate is issued electronically.

Fees and duration

- Fees: vary according to the type of property and area, and some municipalities issue them for free within digital services.

- Completion period: the certificate is often issued within 3 to 5 working days after field verification.

Violations that prevent the issuance of a certificate of compliance

- Exceeding the number of authorized roles.

- Count on the bounces of neighbors or streets.

- Different type of use (for example, residential to commercial).

- Incomplete facades of the building or leaving the finishing unfinished.

- The presence of extensions or add-ons that have not been licensed.

What is the difference between a certificate of compliance and a certificate of completion of construction

Item / certificate of compliance | construction completion certificate

--------|-------------------|------------------------

The issuing authority / municipality via Baladi / municipality after a final inspection

Objective | ensure compliance with the building permit / ensure the complete completion of construction

A condition for services / necessary to connect electricity | a condition for some authorities such as notary

When to issue | After the completion of the structure and finishing | after the completion of all construction work

Common questions

Can a certificate be issued only for a part of the building

No, the building must be complete and conform to the entirety of what is stated in the building permit.

What if there were minor violations

The issuance of the certificate is refused until the violation is amended or settled in accordance with the regulations.

Does the certificate need to be renewed

No, it is a permanent certificate that is issued once after the construction is completed.

Conclusion

Certification of compliance of buildings is one of the fundamental pillars for achieving a sound and sustainable urban organization. It ensures that every existing building in Saudi cities complies with technical and engineering regulations, contributing to the safety, aesthetics, and sustainability of the infrastructure. Therefore, the timely issuance of such a certificate is considered one of the responsibilities of the owner, facilitating all future real estate and service actions for him.