Almost every commercial establishment needs a Civil Defense license to operate legally, and it is often a condition for issuing and renewing the municipal license. Today the license is managed electronically through the Salamah portal. This complete guide explains the whole application journey.
What Is the Salamah Portal?
An electronic platform of the General Directorate of Civil Defense for managing safety licenses. It connects the establishment with the parties involved in licensing: registered safety companies that issue safety equipment installation certificates, accredited engineering offices that issue technical reports, and inspection teams.
Step One: The Investor Journey
Before applying, the portal offers an investor journey service where you enter the request type, the main activity and its code, and the activity's floor area, and it shows you the requirements and the track. This is the most important step, because entering the wrong activity or area means the wrong requirements.
The Two Tracks: Instant and Non-Instant
Civil Defense guidance documents (such as the Group B business office buildings guide and the Group S warehouse buildings guide) explain that the investor journey splits into:
| Track | What happens |
|---|---|
| Instant track | Registering the establishment on the portal and attaching the specified requirement, such as an invoice or safety equipment certificate, or a technical report from an engineering office accredited on the portal, then the license is issued electronically |
| Non-instant track | Submitting the application, followed by a Civil Defense site inspection before issuance |
Details in: Instant and non-instant activities on Salamah.
Safety Equipment Certificate or Technical Report?
- Safety equipment certificate or invoice: issued by a safety company registered on the portal, proving the safety equipment required for the activity has been installed.
- Technical report: issued by an engineering office accredited on the portal after inspecting the establishment and verifying fire prevention and protection requirements.
Which one you need is determined by the portal according to the activity, classification and area. Read: When is a technical report required, and when is a safety equipment certificate enough?
Licensing Steps in Brief
- Register on the Salamah portal and enter the establishment's data.
- Identify the track and requirements through the investor journey.
- Equip the establishment with the required safety systems and equipment.
- Attach the safety equipment certificate or technical report, depending on the track.
- Site inspection for non-instant activities.
- Pay the fees, then the license is issued and printed.
What Comes Before Licensing? Drawings
In large or high-risk facilities, approved drawings for fire prevention and protection requirements, consistent with the code and construction documents, are required, as the warehouse guide states. Read: Fire system drawings: what they include and how they are approved.
Printing and Renewal
The print option only appears after the requirements are complete, the fees are paid and the inspection, if required, is finished. Read: How to inquire about and print a Civil Defense license. The license is renewed through the portal before it expires, making sure maintenance contracts are valid and systems are ready.
The Technical Reference
The main reference for the requirements is the Saudi Fire Code (SBC 801) within the Saudi Building Code, alongside Civil Defense regulations and requirements. Read: The Saudi Fire Code SBC 801.
Requirements by Activity
- Retail shops
- Restaurants and cafés
- Warehouses and storage
- Administrative offices
- Salons and workshops
- Residential buildings and towers
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the engineering office apply on my behalf?
The technical report is linked to an engineering office accredited on the portal, and the remaining procedures are carried out from the establishment's account or its delegate.
How do I know if my activity is instant?
Through the investor journey on the Salamah portal, by entering the activity and area.
Is the Civil Defense license a condition for the municipal license?
Many activities need it to issue or renew the municipal license, depending on the activity.
What are the most common causes of delay?
Read: Reasons a Civil Defense license is rejected or delayed.
Do all establishments need safety drawings?
No, only those whose track or classification requires them.
How Abak Engineering Consultancy Helps
Abak is an accredited engineering office in Riyadh that provides safety and fire protection services: designing and approving safety drawings, technical reports, compliance reports and following up licensing through the Salamah portal. Learn about our Civil Defense license service, or For professional support, see our Building Safety Certificate service. contact us to identify your facility's requirements.
Start with the complete guide: Salamah portal: the complete guide to Civil Defense licensing.
Information is based on the regulations and requirements of the General Directorate of Civil Defense (998.gov.sa) and the Saudi Fire Code; Civil Defense guidance documents do not replace the code. Requirements vary by activity, area and classification, so always refer to the investor journey on the Salamah portal. Last reviewed: October 2026.