Saudi Arabia Updates Group Housing Rules
Saudi Arabia Sets New Standards for Group Housing Across the Kingdom
RIYADH — The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing in Saudi Arabia has introduced comprehensive health, safety, and technical regulations for group housing facilities, aiming to improve living conditions and modernize infrastructure across the Kingdom.
Under the new framework, group housing is divided into three categories: residential buildings, large residential complexes, and mobile cabins.
Residential buildings can house up to 500 people, with a Saudi national appointed to manage operations. Each resident must have at least four square metres of personal space, and no room can accommodate more than 10 people. Facilities must include shared kitchens, bathrooms, rest areas, laundry services, climate control, clean drinking water, pest control, and regular cleaning services.
Large residential complexes, designed for up to 10,000 residents, must meet the same space requirements. They are also required to provide prayer rooms, emergency rooms for every 1,000 residents, and a medical clinic for every 5,000 residents.
Mobile cabins, which serve as temporary housing near major projects, must adhere to the same occupancy rules and provide essential facilities such as central kitchens, health isolation rooms, prayer areas, laundry services, clinics, and climate control systems.
All group housing facilities must obtain prior approvals from relevant authorities, including building permits and public health and safety plans. Mandatory safety features include fire detection systems, emergency exits, first-aid kits, and accessibility measures for residents with disabilities.
Urban planning rules stipulate that built-up areas cannot exceed 40% of the land plot and require integrated services such as fuel stations, EV charging points, shaded parking, recreational spaces, and modern lighting. Parking standards mandate one car space per 100 residents, bus parking for half the population, and dedicated spaces for people with disabilities.
Design guidelines emphasize safe stair railings, compliant window heights, roof barriers, rainwater drainage, and efficient waste disposal systems. Certain features, including boundary walls along commercial streets and air-conditioning units or satellite dishes on balconies, are prohibited.
For mobile cabins, the ministry requires durable steel or aluminium frames, insulated walls, anti-slip flooring, pitched roofs, and engineering standards that support frequent relocation and heavy use.
These updated regulations reflect Saudi Arabia’s ongoing efforts to ensure safe, modern, and well-organized living environments for its residents.
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