The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing announced the issuance of more than 38,000 occupancy certificates for buildings and facilities across the Kingdom during the first half of 2026, compared with approximately 25,000 certificates during the same period last year, representing an increase of more than 13,000 certificates and a growth rate of 55 percent.
The Ministry explained that the occupancy certificate is a key milestone in the construction and urban development cycle. It is issued after verifying that the building or facility has met the approved technical, regulatory, and municipal requirements and confirming its readiness for use and operation in accordance with the applicable regulations.
The Ministry affirmed that the growth in the number of certificates issued coincided with the enhancement of the municipal services ecosystem, improved procedural efficiency, and the expansion of digital services provided to beneficiaries, contributing to faster application processing and an improved beneficiary experience.
The Ministry indicated that the occupancy certificate strengthens compliance with municipal requirements and the Saudi Building Code, supports building safety and readiness for use, helps reduce Visual Pollution, and ensures that sites are cleared of construction waste. It noted that the certificate is issued after construction and finishing works are completed and compliance with the approved requirements has been verified.
The Ministry noted that the procedures for obtaining an occupancy certificate begin with selecting the building permit through the "Balady" platform and designating an approved engineering office to complete the technical requirements and submit the engineering report. The application is then reviewed, and the building undergoes an on-site inspection by the relevant municipal authority before the certificate is approved and issued electronically upon payment of the applicable fees.
