Latest news with #LawoftheUseofSecuritySurveillanceCameras
Gulf Insider
07-07-2025
- Business
- Gulf Insider
Saudi Arabia Sets New Rules For Food Trucks, Bans Operations After Midnight
Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing has introduced a set of sweeping regulations governing the operations of mobile vending carts and food trucks across the Kingdom, part of an effort to standardise the sector and bolster food safety standards. The new requirements, approved by Majed Al Hogail, Minster of Municipal Affairs and Housing, include mandatory installation of surveillance cameras inside all vending units, and a blanket prohibition on operations past midnight — unless vendors obtain a 24-hour activity permit. The updated rules also outline strict limits on where mobile vendors can operate and what activities are permissible within the carts. Food truck and mobile cart operators have been granted a 180-day grace period to comply with the new regulations. Under the new framework, vending is strictly prohibited near traffic lights, major road junctions, emergency exits, gas stations, and areas with high vehicle congestion. Vendors are also barred from operating near environmentally hazardous zones, such as waste dumps, sewage sites, or areas that emit gas and smoke. Locations allocated for emergency services or people with disabilities are off-limits as well. In a move aimed at maintaining public order and health standards, the regulations ban smoking, loudspeakers, and external audio equipment on all mobile units. Food preparation must take place inside the cart, with an exception made only if firewood or charcoal is used — requiring the use of a separate cart. The sale of tobacco products is explicitly banned. All operators must install security cameras that comply with the Kingdom's Law of the Use of Security Surveillance Cameras and its executive regulations. Additionally, individuals will be permitted to hold only one licence per cart, trailer, or semi-trailer, and must obtain approvals from the General Traffic Department and the relevant regulatory body overseeing their commercial activity. Temporary exemptions will apply to vehicles participating in registered public events. The new rules come after a period of public consultation held via the national 'Istithlaa' platform from May 13 to 28, during which citizens and stakeholders were invited to submit feedback. Officials say the measures are intended to strike a balance between facilitating private sector investment and ensuring compliance with health and safety protocols. The ministry noted that the reforms are part of a broader strategy to create a regulatory environment that supports commercial activity while preserving public health. All licencing procedures — including issuance, renewal, amendment, and cancellation — will fall under the purview of the Municipal Licensing Procedures System. The updated regulations reflect the Kingdom's ongoing efforts to modernise its municipal governance and attract entrepreneurial activity, particularly in the growing mobile food sector, while ensuring that public welfare remains a top priority.
Saudi Gazette
06-07-2025
- Saudi Gazette
Saudi Arabia issues new rules for food trucks, bans late-night sales
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — Saudi Minister of Municipalities and Housing Majed Al-Hogail has approved new municipal requirements for mobile vending carts and food trucks. These include installing surveillance cameras inside the carts and prohibiting activities after 12:00 in the night. Owners of these vehicles are granted a correction period of 180 days, according to Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper. It is prohibited to practice this activity at traffic lights, intersections, entrances and exits to main and secondary roads, and areas with high traffic density. It will also prohibit sales at locations designated for police, traffic, Civil Defense, ambulances, and parking spaces for people with disabilities, as well as in areas not permitted by the municipality. Parking near sources of environmental pollutants, such as waste dumps, gas and smoke emissions, sewage sites, and others is also prohibited. Parking in front of emergency exits or evacuation assembly points near facilities, as well as near gas stations, is not allowed. Parking within residential neighborhoods is also prohibited. All activities will be prohibited after 12:00 AM unless there is a 24-hour permit. Smoking inside vehicles, loudspeakers, or mobile external speakers will also be prohibited. Vehicles, trailers, and semi-trailers which are participating in events will be excluded from this requirement. Meals are prohibited from being prepared outside the cart. If charcoal or firewood is used for cooking, meals or beverages must be prepared in a separate cart. The provision of tobacco products of all kinds is also prohibited. Food establishments must adhere to the activities, instructions, and executive and technical regulations issued by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority. They must also install surveillance cameras in the cart in accordance with the Law of the Use of Security Surveillance Cameras and its executive regulations. Individuals are also entitled to issue one license for a mobile cart, trailer, or semi-trailer across the Kingdom. The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing noted that the draft municipal requirements for mobile carts were made public through the "Istithlaa" platform from May 13-28, for the purpose of public survey and feedback prior to approval and implementation. The new terms and conditions aim to regulate this sector, encourage investment, and facilitate requirements for investors and beneficiaries. This step will provide an appropriate regulatory environment for commercial investment, control development, and increase compliance rates. This will have a positive impact on food safety and preserve community health. It also aims to assist those wishing to invest in this field and regulate mobile health, food, and non-food commercial activities by identifying appropriate locations for their activities and raising food safety standards. According to the new requirements, the procedures for issuing, renewing, amending, and canceling licenses will be in accordance with the Municipal Licensing Procedures System and its implementing regulations. Approval from the General Traffic Department and the entity supervising the activity will be required if it is essential to run the activity.
Saudi Gazette
06-07-2025
- Saudi Gazette
Surveillance cameras must for mobile vending carts
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — Saudi Minister of Municipalities and Housing Majed Al-Hogail has approved new municipal requirements for mobile vending carts and food trucks. These include installing surveillance cameras inside the carts and prohibiting activities after 12:00 in the night. Owners of these vehicles are granted a correction period of 180 days, according to Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper. It is prohibited to practice this activity at traffic lights, intersections, entrances and exits to main and secondary roads, and areas with high traffic density. It will also prohibit sales at locations designated for police, traffic, Civil Defense, ambulances, and parking spaces for people with disabilities, as well as in areas not permitted by the municipality. Parking near sources of environmental pollutants, such as waste dumps, gas and smoke emissions, sewage sites, and others is also prohibited. Parking in front of emergency exits or evacuation assembly points near facilities, as well as near gas stations, is not allowed. Parking within residential neighborhoods is also prohibited. All activities will be prohibited after 12:00 AM unless there is a 24-hour permit. Smoking inside vehicles, loudspeakers, or mobile external speakers will also be prohibited. Vehicles, trailers, and semi-trailers which are participating in events will be excluded from this requirement. Meals are prohibited from being prepared outside the cart. If charcoal or firewood is used for cooking, meals or beverages must be prepared in a separate cart. The provision of tobacco products of all kinds is also prohibited. Food establishments must adhere to the activities, instructions, and executive and technical regulations issued by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority. They must also install surveillance cameras in the cart in accordance with the Law of the Use of Security Surveillance Cameras and its executive regulations. Individuals are also entitled to issue one license for a mobile cart, trailer, or semi-trailer across the Kingdom. The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing noted that the draft municipal requirements for mobile carts were made public through the "Istithlaa" platform from May 13-28, for the purpose of public participation and feedback prior to approval and implementation. The new terms and conditions aim to regulate this sector, encourage investment, and facilitate requirements for investors and beneficiaries. This step will provide an appropriate regulatory environment for commercial investment, control development, and increase compliance rates. This will have a positive impact on food safety and preserve community health. It also aims to assist those wishing to invest in this field and regulate mobile health, food, and non-food commercial activities by identifying appropriate locations for their activities and raising food safety standards. According to the new requirements, the procedures for issuing, renewing, amending, and canceling licenses will be in accordance with the Municipal Licensing Procedures System and its implementing regulations. Approval from the General Traffic Department and the entity supervising the activity will be required if it is essential to run the activity.
