Riyadh Advances Housing Stability With Land Measures

Riyadh is moving forward with a package of measures designed to stabilize its housing market, increase supply, and reduce vacant land and buildings across the city. The plan combines capped-price residential plots, fees on white land, and new rules targeting unused properties.

Under the package, between 10,000 and 40,000 residential plots are set to be released annually in Riyadh, with prices capped at SAR 1,500 per square meter. The move is intended to make land more accessible to citizens and ease pressure on housing availability.

White land fees now in effect

The White Land Fees system in Riyadh issued its first invoices on January 1, 2026 for land inside the designated zones. The fees apply when a landowner's holding is 5,000 square meters or more within the announced geographic areas. Riyadh's zones are divided into five priority bands, with annual fees ranging from 10%, 7.5%, 5%, 2.5%, down to 0% of the land value, depending on the priority level.

Vacant-property rules approved

Executive regulations for vacant properties were approved on May 13, 2026. They target ready residential and commercial buildings left unused for six months during the reference year. Fees can reach up to 5% of the property's value, with assessments linked to estimated rental value and prevailing market conditions.

Together, these steps aim to encourage owners to develop or use their properties, expand the available housing stock, and support long-term stability in Riyadh's real estate market — a priority that directly affects residents and families searching for affordable homes in the capital.

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