RIYADH — The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing has unveiled comprehensive health, safety and technical requirements for group housing facilities across the Kingdom, covering building height and space, location, noise levels, parking availability and other essential services. The regulations classify group housing into three categories — residential buildings, residential complexes and mobile cabins — with capacities ranging from 500 to 10,000 people. For residential buildings, capacity is capped at 500 residents, with a dedicated Saudi supervisor responsible for operations. Each bedroom must provide at least 4 square meters per person, with no more than 10 occupants. Facilities must include two kitchens, restrooms and bathing facilities for every eight residents, rest areas, laundry rooms, climate control, potable water, cleaning services and pest control. Residential complexes can house up to 10,000 residents and must feature similar living space and occupancy standards, plus two kitchens per floor, a prayer room, laundry facilities, emergency rooms for every 1,000 residents, and a medical clinic for every 5,000. Mobile cabins, designed for temporary use on projects, follow the same occupancy rules and must include a central kitchen, prayer room, health isolation room, laundry facilities, emergency rooms, clinics, and climate control. Licensing requirements mandate prior approval from relevant authorities, including building permits, execution plans, and public health and safety documentation. Projects must ensure fire alarms, first-aid equipment, regular maintenance, emergency access, and accessible facilities for people with disabilities. Under general planning rules, built-up areas cannot exceed 40% of the land plot. Sites must include fuel stations, EV charging points, repair centers, commercial and service areas, shaded parking, pedestrian and bicycle paths, recreational facilities, and modern lighting. One parking space must be provided for every 100 residents, along with bus parking for 50% of the population and dedicated spots for disabled access. Architectural standards require safe stair railings, window sill heights, roof barriers, rainwater drainage, waste disposal systems for high-rise buildings, and facade designs that meet urban codes. Prohibitions include boundary walls for residential buildings on commercial streets, barriers above fences, and placing air-conditioning units or satellite dishes on balconies. Mobile cabins must meet electrical, plumbing, ventilation, and insulation standards, with steel or aluminum frames, composite insulated walls, anti-slip flooring, and pitched roofs, designed for frequent transport and heavy operational loads.
