The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing has approved new municipal regulations to organize mobile unit activities, aiming to enhance compliance with regulations, ensure a safe operational environment, and improve health and food practices. These measures are expected to elevate service quality and support investment opportunities for entrepreneurs. The ministry clarified that the regulations stipulate designated locations for mobile units, including sites affiliated with municipalities, government entities, private establishments, investment zones, or municipal incubators. Units must maintain a safe distance of at least 10 meters from fuel stations and are prohibited from operating within residential neighborhoods, near emergency exits, or sources of environmental pollution. Technical requirements for mobile units include essential equipment that is non-slip and easy to clean, along with ventilation and air conditioning systems that prevent vapor condensation and maintain an internal temperature not exceeding 25°C. Additional requirements cover thermal insulation, appropriate lighting, and safety measures. Operational regulations mandate obtaining official licenses and site permits from relevant authorities. The use of loudspeakers and smoking inside the unit is prohibited. Units must adhere to designated working hours and operate strictly within their permitted scope. A first aid kit must be available, and strict hygiene standards must be applied. The ministry emphasized that food trucks are subject to stringent food safety requirements, including the use of potable water, dedicated equipment for preparing and washing fruits and vegetables, prohibition of sauce preparation inside the unit, and adherence to cooling, heating, and thawing standards as per the Food and Drug Authority's guidelines. It also highlighted the importance of clearly displaying essential consumer information, including product names, ingredient details, allergens, temperature levels, and expiration dates. A sign indicating the type and source of meat used must be visible, electronic payment services must be consistently available, and the unified electronic code must be prominently displayed on the unit. The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing concluded by reaffirming its ongoing efforts to develop and update municipal regulations across various sectors, in alignment with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, contributing to public health and enhancing quality of life in cities and communities. For more details on the mobile unit regulations, please visit the following link: https://momah.gov.sa/sites/default/files/2025-08/alashtratat%20albldyt%20ll%60rbat%20almtnqlt%20%283%29.pdf

The Ministry of Municipality and Housing has approved municipal regulations for offering tobacco products, aiming to organize related activities, ensure compliance with safety and quality standards, and reduce the harms of secondhand smoke on non-smokers. The ministry clarified that the regulations are structured around four main pillars: licensing requirements, spatial requirements, technical requirements, and operational requirements. These apply to establishments licensed to offer tobacco products that meet Saudi standards. Licensing requirements stipulate that procedures for issuing, renewing, modifying, suspending, and canceling licenses must follow the Municipal Licensing Procedures System and its executive regulations, with a valid commercial license required for the primary activity. Spatial requirements include seven key elements related to urban boundaries within and outside cities, prohibited zones, minimum distances between activity sites and mosques or educational facilities, as well as requirements for parking, permitted building heights, greenery ratios, and coverage. Additionally, each municipality may set specific conditions regarding the minimum street width allowed for such activities. The regulations strictly prohibit the use of logos or promotional images related to tobacco products on external signage, limiting signage to information about the primary activity. Technical requirements cover ventilation standards, storage areas for tobacco supplies, service halls, tobacco preparation areas, and charcoal burners, along with safety and security conditions. The ministry emphasized the need to document approved suppliers of tobacco products and accessories in a traceable system for inspection purposes. It also prohibits the sale or offering of these products to individuals under 18 years of age, or as defined by the Anti-Smoking Law. The full guide to the regulations for offering tobacco products is available at: https://momah.gov.sa/sites/default/files/2025-05/ashtratat%20tqdym%20mntjat%20altbgh.pdf

The Ministry of Municipality and Housing has approved updates to the Municipal Violations Penalty Regulations, adding a new violation related to dividing buildings into units that do not comply with the original building permit. This move is part of the ministry’s efforts to regulate the urban environment, ensure structural safety, and enforce compliance with approved municipal systems and licenses. The ministry clarified that penalties include a financial fine ranging from SAR 5,000 to SAR 25,000 per unauthorized unit, with violators required to remove the violation at their own expense. In cases where removal is structurally unfeasible due to potential risks to the building’s integrity, the violator must pay half the construction cost of the offending unit, correct the violation, and mitigate any damage. A certified engineering office approved by the ministry must issue a safety certificate for the affected structure. The ministry noted that such practices negatively impact the urban fabric of cities, cause disruptive increases in population density, and directly affect essential services and parking availability in surrounding streets. Violators are granted a 60-day grace period to rectify the situation after being notified of the violation, in accordance with official procedures designed to address infractions without compromising building safety or resident well-being. The ministry emphasized the urgency of correcting unauthorized building divisions to avoid penalties. The updated regulations aim to curb unauthorized practices involving the division of buildings or residential units without the necessary permits. This contributes to improving the urban environment, reducing harm to residents, and ensuring construction quality and structural safety. These updates are part of the ministry’s ongoing efforts to enhance municipal and regulatory systems, raise compliance levels, and improve the urban landscape in cities. The ministry urges property owners and investors to adhere to regulations before undertaking any division or modification of buildings.

The Ministry of Municipality and Housing has approved updated regulations for the use of public sidewalks, aiming to organize commercial utilization of spaces adjacent to shops, restaurants, and cafés. This initiative seeks to ensure smooth pedestrian flow and enhance the urban appeal of cities. The new regulations aim to strike a balance between commercial investment needs and the rights of road users by providing a safe urban environment that boosts street vitality without compromising pedestrian safety or obstructing movement. They offer a structured framework that allows commercial activities to benefit from sidewalk spaces within clearly defined boundaries, while preserving sidewalks’ primary role as open pathways accessible to all. This approach reflects the ministry’s vision to develop public spaces in a way that preserves architectural identity and gives cities a more modern character. The regulations set precise standards for usage formats and boundaries, including the layout of outdoor seating, specifications for umbrellas, barriers, and decorative plants that enhance the aesthetic value of the space. The regulations are based on key principles, most notably ensuring safe pedestrian passage, reducing visual clutter, and providing a clean and organized environment that accommodates both visitors and business owners. The ministry clarified that permits will be issued electronically via the “Balady” platform, streamlining procedures and offering investors full transparency regarding application steps and regulatory requirements. The full guide to sidewalk use regulations is available at: https://momah.gov.sa/sites/default/files/2025-08/ashtratat%20tsryh%20ashghal%20rsyf%20m%60tmd.pdf These regulations mark a new milestone in the ministry’s efforts to develop cities, enhance their vibrancy, and organize commercial activities—contributing to a more beautiful and well-structured urban environment and reinforcing the appeal of Saudi cities as attractive destinations for investment and everyday life.