Riyadh Fines Dust Violations Over SR20 Million

Construction projects in Riyadh have been fined more than SR20 million for dust pollution violations, as an enforcement campaign targeting building sites across the capital continues through September 2026. The drive is led by the National Center for Environmental Compliance in cooperation with the Royal Commission for Riyadh City and Riyadh Municipality.

The dust-control rules apply to construction projects with a total area of 2,000 square metres or more. Qualifying sites must follow a dedicated procedural guide and regulatory guideline titled "Mitigating Fugitive Dust Emissions from Construction Activities in Riyadh," which sets binding requirements for how work must be carried out.

Between 11 and 19 specific dust-control measures apply to eligible projects. These include using approved dust suppressants, spraying sites daily, covering truck loads during transport, and installing on-site air quality monitoring devices connected to a unified dust-monitoring platform. Fines are applied rather than as a single penalty.

By mid-2026, 557 violations had been issued in Riyadh with fines exceeding SR16 million, a figure that later rose above SR20 million as inspections continued. Site checks run around the clock, seven days a week, to monitor dust emissions across the city.

Why it matters

Air quality and dust levels in Riyadh are tracked through 12 fixed and 4 mobile stations that measure 22 air quality parameters. The stated aim of the campaign is to cut dust emissions from construction activity, ease the environmental and public-health impact, and improve air quality in all neighbourhoods of the capital. Reporting and regulatory compliance for these violations are handled through environmental and municipal channels rather than citizen service platforms.

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