Latest news with #Ministry of Municipalities and Housing
Gulf Business
6 days ago
- General
- Gulf Business
Saudi's group housing laws: What one must follow
Image credit: Getty Images The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing in Saudi Arabia has announced comprehensive health, safety, and technical regulations for group housing facilities across the country. The new standards address building dimensions, location, noise levels, parking availability, and essential services to ensure improved living conditions for large groups of residents. Group housing has been categorised into three types: residential buildings, residential complexes, and mobile cabins, with capacities ranging from 500 to 10,000 residents, Read- Residential buildings are limited to a maximum of 500 residents. Each bedroom must provide at least four square meters per person, with no more than ten occupants per room. Facilities must also include two kitchens, restrooms and bathing areas for every eight people, as well as designated rest areas, laundry rooms, potable water, climate control, cleaning services, and pest control. A Saudi national must be assigned as a dedicated supervisor for operations. Accommodation capacity Residential complexes can accommodate up to 10,000 residents and must follow similar spacing and occupancy rules. Additional requirements include two kitchens per floor, laundry facilities, prayer rooms, emergency rooms for every 1,000 residents, and a medical clinic for every 5,000. Mobile cabins, typically used for temporary housing on project sites, must meet the same occupancy criteria. They are required to feature a central kitchen, laundry services, prayer rooms, health isolation areas, climate control, emergency rooms, and clinics. Cabins must be designed for heavy operational loads and frequent transport, constructed with steel or aluminum frames, composite insulated walls, anti-slip flooring, and pitched roofs. Electrical, plumbing, insulation, and ventilation standards must be met. Planning, safety, and accessibility requirements The new regulations also impose strict licensing conditions, including approvals from relevant authorities, building permits, execution plans, and health and safety documentation. Fire alarms, first-aid kits, regular maintenance, and access for emergency services are mandatory. Facilities must also be accessible for people with disabilities. Built-up areas cannot exceed 40 per cent of the land plot. Housing sites must provide EV charging points, fuel stations, repair centers, commercial and service areas, pedestrian and bike paths, shaded parking, recreational zones, and modern lighting. Parking must be allocated at a ratio of one space per 100 residents, with bus parking for half the population and dedicated spaces for those with disabilities. Architectural features must comply with urban design codes, including safe stair railings, window sills, drainage systems, and waste disposal for high-rise buildings. The regulations also prohibit certain design elements, including boundary walls on commercial streets, barriers above fences, and placing air conditioners or satellite dishes on balconies.
Arabian Business
22-07-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
Saudi Arabia elevates fine dining in the country with new regulations
Saudi Arabia is elevating the fine dining experience in the Kingdom following the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing's issuance of new regulations for these establishments, the Saudi Gazette reported. Apart from a dress code policy in these high-end restaurants, the owner must provide his guests a full table service experience, including escorting them from the entrance to their table and offering valet parking. Coat hangers and a bag holding area need to be provided. It also prohibits the presence of visible cashier counters. Saudi sets fine dining protocols No drive-thru services will be available at fine dining establishments and they must implement a digital reservation system, maintain a complaint submission channel, and provide visible beverage preparation stations. The ministry emphasised that the overall 'experience' is central to luxury dining and cannot be delivered through fast-service or exterior windows. Menus will need to feature at least three main categories – appetizers, main courses, and desserts – and will not be allowed to feature less than five items in total. A concealed area, not visible to restaurant guests, will have to be allocated for pickup orders from delivery apps. The regulations also limit restaurant chains to just one branch per city to preserve exclusivity and brand distinction. All fine dining establishments will need to register their brand trademarks with the relevant authorities to ensure the legal protection of their visual identity and enhance both local and global recognition. Additional mandatory standards include employing a certified food health and safety specialist. The new regulations are part of efforts to attract investment and enhance the business environment in the hospitality sector.
Gulf Business
22-07-2025
- Business
- Gulf Business
Saudi's new rules: Fine dining to look different now
Image credit: Getty Images Saudi Arabia has introduced a series of new regulations aimed at transforming the fine dining landscape and boosting transparency in food services, in line with its broader goals to attract investment, enhance the hospitality environment, and promote healthier lifestyle choices. Read- The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing has issued updated guidelines to organise fine dining operations across Saudi Arabia. Under the new rules, high-end restaurants must now deliver a complete table service experience, including greeting guests at the entrance, escorting them to their tables, and providing valet parking, In a move to elevate the dining atmosphere, the regulations enforce a dress code policy, prohibit visible cashier counters, and strictly ban drive-thru services at fine dining establishments. The ministry emphasised that the overall 'experience' is central to luxury dining and cannot be replicated through fast service or exterior windows. Full table service and exclusivity requirements Restaurants are now required to implement a digital reservation system, offer visible beverage preparation stations, and maintain a channel for customer complaints. Menus must include at least three main categories, appetizers, main courses, and desserts, with a minimum of five items in total. Additional standards mandate the employment of a certified food health and safety specialist, the provision of coat hangers and bag holders, and the allocation of a concealed area for pickup orders from delivery apps to ensure they remain out of sight from guests. The regulations further limit restaurant chains to a single branch per city to preserve exclusivity and brand identity. All fine dining establishments must register their trademarks with the relevant Saudi authorities to protect their visual identity and enhance local and global brand recognition. The ministry stated that these measures aim to uphold the highest levels of hospitality while ensuring a distinct customer journey aligned with the country's efforts to boost tourism and lifestyle offerings. SFDA targets transparency in food information In a related development, the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) announced the implementation of new technical regulations to enhance transparency and consumer health in food services. Effective July 1, 2025, food establishments will be required to display detailed nutritional information on all physical and online menus, including on food delivery platforms. Restaurants must now place a 'saltshaker' icon next to meals high in sodium, disclose the caffeine content of beverages, and indicate the estimated time needed to burn off the calories consumed from a meal. The SFDA noted that these initiatives aim to empower consumers to make informed decisions, promote healthier food choices, and support a balanced lifestyle by helping customers monitor their salt and caffeine intake, Supporting healthier choices across Saudi Arabia According to the World Health Organisation, adults are advised to limit sodium intake to no more than 5 grams of salt per day, while caffeine intake should not exceed 400mg daily for adults and 200mg for pregnant women. The SFDA emphasized that these regulations will contribute to raising public health awareness and align with Saudi Arabia's efforts to improve the quality of life for residents and visitors, ensuring that dining experiences across Saudi Arabia meet international health and safety standards while maintaining transparency for consumers.
Zawya
22-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Saudi Arabia issues new regulations for fine dining restaurants
RIYADH — The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing has issued a set of new regulations to organize the operations of fine dining restaurants in Saudi Arabia, as part of efforts to attract investment and enhance the business environment in the hospitality sector. Under the updated rules, high-end restaurants must now provide a full table service experience, including welcoming guests from the entrance to their table and offering valet parking. The regulations also include a dress code policy and prohibit the presence of visible cashier counters. Drive-thru services are strictly banned at fine dining establishments, as the ministry emphasized that the overall 'experience' is central to luxury dining and cannot be delivered through fast service or exterior windows. Restaurants must also implement a digital reservation system, provide visible beverage preparation stations, and maintain a complaint submission channel. Menus are required to feature at least three main categories — appetizers, main courses, and desserts — with no fewer than five items in total. Additional mandatory standards include employing a certified food health and safety specialist, providing coat hangers and bag holders, and allocating a concealed area for pickup orders from delivery apps—ensuring it is not visible to guests. The regulations also limit restaurant chains to just one branch per city to preserve exclusivity and brand distinction. All fine dining establishments are required to have their brand trademarks registered with the appropriate Saudi authorities to ensure legal protection of their visual identity and enhance local and global recognition. The ministry noted that these measures aim to uphold the highest levels of hospitality and ensure a distinct customer journey aligned with the Kingdom's broader goals to boost tourism and lifestyle offerings. © Copyright 2022 The Saudi Gazette. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
