What delays owners of existing buildings most is not how hard the procedure is, but choosing the wrong service from the start. An owner applies for restoration when the work needs a component modification, or requests an extra floor for a building that already breaches its permit, and the application comes back weeks later to start over. This guide helps you pick the right service with three questions in sequence, then explains the differences between services with practical examples.
Why Is an Existing Building Different From Vacant Land?
For vacant land the route is clear: survey decision, design, then building permit. An existing building has a history: its permit may be an old paper one, it may have been built differently, or annexes may have been added over time. So any application starts by establishing its current regulatory status before thinking about the work you want.
Question One: Does the Building Have a Permit Visible on Balady?
- No permit at all → existing building status rectification, after issuing a survey decision for the same purpose.
- A paper or municipality permit that does not appear → start by adding it or correcting its data; if its data cannot be found, the request may be directed to status rectification.
- A visible permit → go to question two.
To check the permit: Building permit inquiry.
Question Two: Does the Building on the Ground Match the Permit?
- Does not match (an extra floor or annex, changed areas or use) → status rectification, or adding and modifying components, depending on the case and the office's report.
- Matches → go to question three.
Conformity cannot be judged by eye; the engineering office usually needs to survey the existing condition and compare it with the approved drawings. Read: As-built drawings.
Question Three: What Do You Want to Do?
| Work required | Service |
|---|---|
| Adding a floor, annex or parking, or modifying/removing components | Adding and modifying building components (Balady notes parking counts as a building component, not a separate permit) |
| Restoration without changing components | A restoration permit under the building permit |
| Restoring a leased shop | A restoration permit under the landlord's building permit |
| Demolishing the building | A demolition permit |
| Closing the file of a completed building | An occupancy certificate |
Restoration vs. Component Modification
This is the most common confusion. The simple rule: restoration returns the building to its condition or improves its finishes without changing what is licensed, such as renewing paint, floors and internal services. Component modification changes what is in the permit itself: areas, openings, floors, uses, or removing load-bearing walls.
| Work | Restoration | Component modification |
|---|---|---|
| Renewing the facade with the same design | ✔ | |
| Opening a new door or shop onto the street | ✔ | |
| Changing tiles and paint | ✔ | |
| Adding a room or rooftop annex | ✔ | |
| Adding a lift | ✔ |
Read: Modifying building components and Adding a lift to an existing building.
Practical Examples
- A villa with an unlicensed rooftop annex, and the owner wants to add a lift: status rectification first, then adding and modifying components.
- A shop the tenant wants to renovate: a restoration permit under the landlord's building permit, unless the work changes components.
- An old building with no permit, and the owner needs a commercial licence for a tenant: status rectification, then attach the permit to the commercial licence application.
- An owner wants to add a floor to a building that matches its permit: adding and modifying components after checking the structure's capacity and the requirements. Read: Additional floor permit.
Common Mistakes in Choosing
- Applying for restoration when the work adds rooms or opens shops; restoration does not cover changing components.
- Applying for additions and modifications on a building that already breaches its permit; the application is returned because the basis does not conform.
- Requesting a new building permit for an existing building; the correct route is status rectification.
- Ignoring the survey decision: many of these services need a survey decision for the same purpose.
- Starting work before the permit: this exposes you to violations and may stop the work. Read: Fines for non-compliant buildings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between status rectification and component modification?
Status rectification documents an existing building with no permit or built differently from it; component modification changes a building whose permit it matches.
Does parking need a separate permit?
Balady notes parking is a building component, added through the adding and modifying components service.
Does a shop restoration need the owner's involvement?
The restoration permit for a leased shop is issued under the landlord's building permit.
Do I need a survey decision?
Many existing-building services need a survey decision for the same purpose; the office determines this per service.
How do I know if my building matches its permit?
By comparing a survey of the existing condition with the approved drawings through an engineering office.
Related Guides
- Building permits in Saudi Arabia: the complete guide
- Bought a building without a permit?
- Commercial building status rectification
How Abak Engineering Consultancy Helps
Not sure about your case? Send us a copy of the deed and permit (if any) and photos of the building, and Abak's engineers will identify the right route and handle the survey, design and application before you start any work. 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.
