A building permit does not stay valid forever. If its term runs out and the building is not finished, or has not even started, you need to renew the building permit before carrying on with construction or applying for any service that depends on it, such as the occupancy certificate, an ownership transfer or adding components. Many owners only notice the permit has expired when another Balady application stalls, losing time that simple date tracking would have saved.
This guide covers how long a permit is valid, when to renew it, the three construction statuses at renewal, the practical steps on Balady, and when renewal is the wrong choice and you need a different route.
How Long Is a Building Permit Valid?
According to Balady, construction permits and survey decisions are valid for 3 years, and renewal is required if construction is not finished within that period. You can apply for renewal up to 90 days before the permit expires, and the service also allows renewing an expired permit.
Note that the permit and the survey decision each have their own date, and they may not expire on the same day. Keep both dates in view when planning construction. Read: Land survey vs. survey decision: what is the difference?
When Do You Need to Renew a Building Permit?
- Construction delays: work started but was not finished within the permit term because of funding, the contractor or supply issues.
- Construction has not started: the permit was issued and then the project was postponed.
- Buying a property whose permit is about to expire: transfer ownership first, then renew. Read: Transferring building permit ownership.
- A later service requires a valid permit: such as some modification or addition requests.
The Three Construction Statuses at Renewal
The most important step in the application is stating the construction status accurately, because it determines what will be required:
| Construction status | What it means | What is usually required |
|---|---|---|
| Not started | The land is still vacant | An insurance policy if the building type requires one, and naming the designer, supervisor and contractor |
| Under construction | Work has started but is not finished | Continuation of the supervising office and contractor, and conformity of the work done with the permit |
| Existing building | The building is complete but its file is not closed | Moving to the occupancy certificate may be more appropriate than renewing again |
Stating a status that does not match reality is one of the most common reasons an application is returned, because the engineering office will complete data that is inconsistent with the site.
Documents and Data to Prepare Before Applying
- The current building permit number, and confirmation that it appears in your account. If it does not, read: Building permit not showing on Balady.
- An up-to-date electronic deed in the owner's name. Read: Converting a paper deed to an electronic one.
- Details of the design office, the supervising office and the building contractor.
- The latent defects insurance policy if required for the building type.
- Recent site photos that help the office describe the construction status accurately.
Steps to Renew a Building Permit on Balady
- Log in to Balady via the National Single Sign-On (Nafath) and choose construction permit services, then "Renew a Building Permit".
- Read the instructions and declaration, verify your mobile number, and specify the owner type and the applicant.
- Select the permit to renew and specify the construction status.
- Choose the design office, the supervising office and the building contractor, or retrieve them from the insurance data if available.
- Send the request to the engineering office to complete the data.
- An invoice is issued; once it is paid, the renewed permit is issued and can be printed.
For details on fees and how they are calculated: Building permit fees on Balady.
Renewal or Occupancy Certificate?
If the building is actually complete but the permit is close to expiring, the right question is not "how do I renew?" but "am I ready for the occupancy certificate?". Issuing the occupancy certificate closes the building's file, while renewal keeps it open for another three years. If what remains is significant work (facade finishes, unfinished floors), renewal is the right choice.
| Building status | The better decision |
|---|---|
| Structure complete, only minor interior work left | Prepare the building for the occupancy certificate before the permit expires |
| Floors or facades not finished | Renew the permit, then complete construction |
| Building complete but different from the permit | Resolve the violation first through modification or status rectification |
Read: The occupancy certificate: a complete guide.
When Is Renewal Not Enough?
Renewal extends the permit as it is; it does not fix any difference between the building and the approved drawings. If a floor or annex was added, or the facades or setbacks changed, you face one of two routes:
- Modifying and adding components if the change is allowed within the regulations. Read: Modifying building components.
- Rectifying an existing building's status if the building was completed differently from its permit. Read: Rectifying an existing building's status.
Postponing the fix does not cancel it and may expose you to fines. Read: Fines for non-compliant buildings.
Tips to Avoid Repeated Renewals
- Put a realistic schedule in the contractor's contract that ends well before the permit expires, with clear delay penalties.
- Track the expiry dates of the permit and the survey decision together, and start renewal within the 90-day window.
- If the contractor or supervising office changes during construction, update their details in the application before renewing.
- Ask the supervising office for periodic reports on progress so you know early if the project will run past the permit term. Read: Periodic supervision reports.
Common Renewal Mistakes
- Letting the permit expire and continuing construction without renewing.
- Stating a construction status that does not match reality.
- Renewing the permit while the building was built differently from it; here you need modification and addition of components or status rectification, not just renewal.
- Letting the survey decision expire without noticing.
- Buying a property with an expired permit without allowing time for transfer and renewal in the purchase plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I renew my building permit?
If construction is not finished within the permit's validity (3 years); you can apply up to 90 days before it expires.
Can an expired permit be renewed?
Yes, the Balady service allows renewing expired permits, but it is better to renew before expiry to avoid stopping work.
Do I need a contractor if construction has not started?
The service asks you to choose the parties or retrieve them from the insurance data; the engineering office determines this based on the application.
Does renewal change the approved drawings?
No, renewal extends the permit as it is. Any change to the drawings needs a separate modification service.
I bought a building with an expired permit. What do I do first?
Transfer the permit into your name first, then renew it or move to the occupancy certificate depending on the building's status.
Can a renewal application be rejected?
It may be returned if the data is incomplete, the construction status is inaccurate or the deed is not updated. Read: Why building permits are rejected.
Related Guides
- Building permits in Saudi Arabia: the complete guide
- Building permit inquiry
- How long does a building permit take?
- Contracting an engineering office on Balady
How Abak Engineering Consultancy Helps
Abak is an accredited engineering office in Riyadh that handles building permit renewals and checks the building's conformity with its permit before applying, telling you whether renewal, the occupancy certificate or a modification is the right route. Learn about our permit services, or contact us to review your case.
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.
