Saudi Building Permits Up 16% Month-on-Month in July

Saudi Arabia issued 5,828 building permits in July 2026, a jump of about 16% compared with the 5,045 permits recorded in June, in a sign of continued momentum across the Kingdom's construction and real estate sectors. The July figure was also up roughly 4% from the 5,582 permits issued in the same month a year earlier.

The monthly gains build on a strong first half of the year. More than 34,000 building permits were issued nationwide during H1 2026, including over 28,000 residential permits, more than 5,000 commercial permits, and over 1,000 permits for government buildings.

How permits are issued

The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing is the competent authority for building permits, with all applications submitted digitally through the Balady platform. Applicants log in using their national digital identity, choose the “Issuing a Building Permit” service, enter land and title-deed details, add planning and zoning data, and attach approved architectural and structural drawings, along with licensed engineering office and contractor details.

Mandatory building insurance requirements are completed within the same Balady journey. For applications submitted after 25 June 2025, latent defects and other insurance documents are issued directly through the platform, with no separate service required. For permits issued before that date, the contractor must apply separately for the latent defects insurance certificate.

Fees are estimated using the Balady fees calculator, which reflects land area, use, and municipality; exact amounts vary and are not fixed as a single national rate. The e-services run on a self-service basis around the clock, while support channels operate from 08:00 to 22:00, seven days a week.

Building permits are generally issued as time-bound licenses tied to project implementation, with validity periods often around two to three years depending on municipal regulations and project type. The steady rise in issuances points to sustained demand for housing and commercial development, a key pillar of the Kingdom's broader growth plans.

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