The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing has approved a new detailed schedule of penalties for violations, aimed at strengthening oversight of commercial and service activities. These new amendments come as part of efforts to raise compliance levels with regulatory, technical, and health requirements, with precise definitions of fines based on the type and severity of the violation, ensuring the protection of public facilities and improving the urban landscape.
The ministry stated that the new regulations differentiate between serious and non-serious violations in their handling mechanisms. Penalties are applied directly to violations that impact safety or public health or require urgent intervention. Meanwhile, violations that can be rectified are granted a corrective period before formal procedures are completed, with a graduated approach to penalties for repeated offenses.
Details of the Amendments
According to observers, the decision to reclassify field violations has been encouraging for small and medium enterprise owners, helping them to continue their activities. The ministry has imposed fines ranging from 10,000 to 50,000 riyals for engaging in any activity without obtaining a license, continuing to operate after the license has expired, or conducting activities that differ from what was licensed.
This category includes operating without a license from the supervising authority, conducting activities outside of permitted hours without authorization, the absence of the licensed facility in reality, or using power generators or cooling devices that cause visual distortions.
The second category of penalties ranges from 1,000 to 5,000 riyals and includes a long list of violations related to operations and equipment within facilities, such as conducting additional activities not included in the license, using unauthorized delivery methods, and discrepancies between the facility's area and what is approved in the license.
Background & Context
Violations also encompass design and construction aspects, such as non-compliance with flooring, wall, and ceiling requirements, lack of maintenance, or failure to install glass facades according to specifications. Additionally, the regulations include the failure to separate activities within the facility, absence of air curtains in health-related activities, or violations of door, chimney, air conditioning, ventilation, and lighting requirements.
Other violations include the failure to provide tools or means for their storage, lack of maintenance for equipment, improper storage of customer tools, absence of waiting areas, or violations of surveillance camera requirements and designated areas for women. Violations related to the lack of insect traps or compliant waste containers have also been established.
Impact & Consequences
Regarding public health violations, the regulations impose fines for failing to clean tools or devices, not applying sterilization and disinfection, not providing waste containers with bags, or accumulating waste without timely disposal. Violations also include non-compliance with comprehensive hygiene rules, or leaks from air conditioning or sewage systems.
Additional violations include unauthorized access to work areas, displaying goods on cash register tables, or having writings and stickers on facades in violation of regulations. The schedule specifies fines ranging from 200 to 1,000 riyals, covering activities conducted outside the scope of the license or using sidewalks without permission.
Regional Significance
These amendments are seen as a positive step toward improving the business environment in the Kingdom, contributing to enhanced transparency and compliance with laws. They reflect a commitment to supporting small and medium enterprises, which are a fundamental pillar of the national economy.
In conclusion, these amendments are expected to improve the quality of services provided to citizens and enhance trust in commercial activities, thereby promoting economic stability.