Riyadh Issues 141,000+ Infrastructure Permits in 2026

The Riyadh Infrastructure Projects Center issued more than 141,000 permits for infrastructure projects across the city between January and September 24, 2026, as part of expanded electronic oversight of construction and utility works in the capital.

In August 2026 alone, more than 19,000 permits were issued, while 10,100 permits remained active for projects currently under implementation. The permitted works covered approximately 1,133 kilometres of roads across Riyadh.

How permits are issued

Applications are submitted electronically through the Balady portal for municipal permits and through the relevant Riyadh coordination service for project permits. For excavation permits, an invoice for the applicable fees is issued after submission; once the applicant pays within the set period, the permit is issued electronically and can be printed. Building permits are submitted by a design office, after which municipal fees are calculated and a payment link is issued before the permit is granted.

There is no single fixed fee that applies to all infrastructure permits. Fees vary depending on the permit type, project scope, location, and the infrastructure affected. Some project-coordination services, including scheduled and future-project coordination, are listed as free of charge.

Listed response times for several coordination and excavation-related services are generally 24 hours, though actual permit issuance depends on approvals and payment. Each permit's validity period is shown in the issued electronic document rather than following a single fixed duration.

For residents and businesses in Riyadh, the growing volume of permits reflects tighter tracking of active works and greater compliance with approved standards — steps intended to keep road and utility projects better coordinated and monitored across the city.

---

Stay updated with the latest news, events, sports updates, business insights, real estate and lifestyle stories on Saudi Living — the leading online platform for residents, expats, and visitors in Saudi Arabia.

Follow Saudi Living for daily updates:

• Instagram - @saudiliving
• X - @saudiliving
• Facebook - @saudiliving
• YouTube - @saudiliving