Construction projects in Riyadh have been hit with fines totaling SAR 16 million after inspectors recorded 557 violations of dust-control requirements. Each violation reflects a case of non-compliance with the measures set to protect air quality at building sites across the capital.
The dust-control guideline applies to construction projects in Riyadh with an area of 2,000 square metres or more. Developers of such projects are required to install on-site air-quality monitoring devices connected to Riyadh's unified construction dust monitoring platform, and to submit periodic environmental performance reports to the competent authorities.
Sites must also prevent dust from crossing their boundaries. This includes washing truck tires before vehicles leave the site, using dust suppressants, and applying other on-site controls. Certain activities must be suspended when wind speed exceeds 25 km/h, with real-time PM₁₀ monitoring and logging at two-minute intervals.
Non-compliance with the Riyadh fugitive dust guideline can lead to administrative penalties of up to SAR 50,000 Under the national Executive Regulation for Air Quality, additional fines apply, such as SAR 50,000 for each network or station operated without a licence, SAR 20,000 to SAR 100,000 for failing to provide required monitoring data, and SAR 50,000 to SAR 1,000,000 for publishing air-quality data without approval.
The wider Environmental Law sets a general framework for such breaches, with administrative fines reaching up to SAR 20,000,000, alongside possible licence suspension of up to six months or revocation. For the community, the measures mean cleaner air and reduced dust in residential and business areas, placing responsibility on developers to keep building activity from harming daily life in the capital.
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
Up Next
104 Commercial Concealment Cases Uncovered in June
Authorities uncovered 104 suspected commercial concealment violations in June after over 4,500 inspection visits across the Kingdom, with penalties up to SAR 5 million.
Aug 6,2026
Abha Airport Sets New Single-Day Flight Record
Abha International Airport handled 132 flights in one day on 5 July 2026, its highest daily total, driven by summer tourism and rising demand.
Aug 6,2026
24-Hour Rules: Hotels, Pharmacies Exempt from Fee
New round-the-clock operating rules exempt hotels, pharmacies, fuel stations and others from the 24-hour permit fee, capped at SAR 100,000 a year.
Aug 6,2026
Saudi Arabia Deploys 35 Smart Marine Buoys
Saudi Arabia deploys 35 solar-powered smart buoys along Red Sea and Arabian Gulf coasts to monitor marine pollution and water quality in real time.
Aug 6,2026Related Stories
Don't Miss Similar Listings
Be the first to know when new stories on this topic are published.
