New Rule: 300m Buffer for Shared Housing in Saudi

New municipal regulations in Saudi Arabia now require buildings used as shared or group housing for individuals to be located at least 300 meters away from schools and hospitals. The rules are issued and enforced through the Ministry of Municipal, Rural Affairs and Housing and the relevant municipalities, with compliance tied to municipal licensing and building or operating permits.

Under the updated framework, shared housing is prohibited in areas and neighborhoods whose approved urban plans do not permit this type of activity, and facilities must comply with population density limits set out in urban and local master plans. The 300-meter buffer applies specifically to independent group housing buildings used as shared accommodation.

Officials say the buffer requirement is intended to reduce pressure on public facilities and services, ease traffic congestion, and protect the surroundings of schools and health facilities. The distance rule is part of a wider set of conditions that also cover road access, parking, public transport access, safety, and density.

Grace period and exemptions

Existing legally licensed shared housing facilities have been granted a corrective grace period of at least one year — up to the end of their current operating licenses — to adjust their status and meet the new technical and health requirements. Buildings and complexes that already hold previously issued building permits as group housing are exempt from the new location conditions, provided they fully comply with updated safety and public-health standards.

The new 300-meter buffer is a distinct, updated rule for shared housing for individuals and does not repeal separate provisions for worker housing, which still require distances of around 500 meters from schools and some sensitive facilities. Licensing continues to be handled through municipal e-services portals and building or license systems.

No specific fees or fines tied exclusively to breaching the 300-meter rule have been officially published; monetary penalties remain governed by general municipal violation and building-code fine schedules, which vary by city and violation class. Residents and operators are advised to check requirements with their local municipality before securing or renewing a license.

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