Outdoor seating for a café, restaurant tables in the evening, or displaying goods in front of a shop: all are uses of the public pavement, and all need a sidewalk occupancy permit. Without one, a violation can be recorded and the seating removed, disrupting the customer experience your business plan relies on. This is a practical guide with the official requirements: what the permit is, who benefits, the application steps, the drawings required, duration and fees, and tips for designing seating that is accepted first time.
What Is a Sidewalk Occupancy Permit?
According to Balady, the service lets a beneficiary expand their business by using the pavement in front of the shop, renting it for a limited period, with the permit linked to the business's commercial activity licence. The service falls under commercial licences and targets businesses.
Who Usually Benefits?
- Cafés and restaurants wanting outdoor seating.
- Shops displaying seasonal products in front of the shopfront.
- Activities needing a customer waiting area in front of the shop.
Application Steps
- Select the business record and choose the licence.
- Complete the required data.
- Send the application to the municipality.
- Pay the fees after the application is approved.
Requirements
- A drawing approved by an engineering office.
- A photograph of the actual seating area.
- Architectural drawings: plan, section and perspective.
- The investment contract if the pavement belongs to the municipality (an investment pavement).
What Does the Engineering Drawing Show?
| Element | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| The occupied area and its dimensions | Defines exactly what is rented of the pavement |
| The remaining pedestrian path | Keeps pedestrians and people with disabilities moving |
| Distance from the kerb and street | Safety of diners and passers-by |
| Temporary elements | Tables, umbrellas and light barriers, and how they are fixed |
| Lighting and planting | Avoiding damage to public lighting and trees |
For detailed seating requirements: Using the pavement in front of a shop and outdoor seating. For canopies: Shop and restaurant canopies.
Duration, Fees and Renewal
- The published service time is 1 to 10 days.
- There are fees, shown in Balady's fee calculator.
- The permit cannot be renewed; once it expires a new permit is issued, so plan your application before the current one ends.
Tips for Designing Seating That Gets Approved
- Leave a clear, continuous pedestrian path, and do not squeeze passers-by between the seating and the street.
- Use temporary, removable elements, not fixed structures.
- Do not cover lamp posts, utility boxes or trees.
- Coordinate with neighbours if the pavement is shared between shops.
- Keep the design consistent with the shopfront. Read: Commercial facade and signage requirements.
Common Mistakes
- Putting out seating before the permit is issued.
- Exceeding the licensed area at peak times.
- Installing fixed canopies or flooring on the public pavement.
- Letting the permit expire without getting a new one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can any activity apply?
The service is linked to the commercial activity licence and subject to the ministry's requirements and the approvals list for the activity.
Does the permit allow building on the pavement?
The permit is for temporary use under the requirements, not a building permit.
Do I need an engineering office?
Yes, a drawing approved by an engineering office is a requirement.
Is an investment pavement different?
If the pavement belongs to the municipality (an investment pavement), the investment contract is required.
Can the pavement be occupied with building materials under the same permit?
No, that has a separate service. Read: Occupying the pavement with building materials.
Related Guides
How Abak Engineering Consultancy Helps
Abak is an accredited engineering office in Riyadh that prepares the approved outdoor seating drawing with its plan, section and perspective, and designs the seating to be practical and compliant. Learn about our interior and exterior design services, or Details of how we can help are on our Sidewalk Occupancy Permit service page. 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.
