Latest news with #MinistryofMunicipalitiesandHousing
Gulf Insider
16 hours ago
- General
- Gulf Insider
Saudi Arabia Introduces New Rules For Shared Housing, Capping Capacity And Boosting Safety
Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Municipalities and Housing has unveiled sweeping health, safety, and technical regulations for group housing facilities across the Kingdom, setting strict limits on capacity and upgrading infrastructure requirements. The framework divides group housing into three categories: Residential buildings, large residential complexes and mobile cabins. Residential buildings may house up to 500 people, with a Saudi national appointed to oversee operations. Rooms must offer at least four square metres per resident and accommodate no more than 10 occupants. Shared amenities include kitchens, bathrooms, rest areas, laundry rooms, climate control, potable water, cleaning services, and pest management. may house up to 500 people, with a Saudi national appointed to oversee operations. Rooms must offer at least four square metres per resident and accommodate no more than 10 occupants. Shared amenities include kitchens, bathrooms, rest areas, laundry rooms, climate control, potable water, cleaning services, and pest management. Residential complexes can accommodate as many as 10,000 residents under the same occupancy standards but must also provide prayer rooms, emergency rooms for every 1,000 residents, and on-site medical clinics for every 5,000. can accommodate as many as 10,000 residents under the same occupancy standards but must also provide prayer rooms, emergency rooms for every 1,000 residents, and on-site medical clinics for every 5,000. Mobile cabins, designed for temporary housing near major projects, must meet similar occupancy rules and feature central kitchens, health isolation rooms, prayer areas, laundry facilities, clinics, and climate systems. All facilities must secure prior approval from relevant authorities, including building permits and safety and public health plans. Safety features such as fire detection systems, first-aid kits, emergency routes, and accessibility measures for residents with disabilities are mandatory. Urban planning rules cap built-up areas at 40% of the plot and require integrated services such as fuel stations, EV charging points, maintenance workshops, shaded parking, recreation areas, and modern lighting. Parking must provide one space per 100 residents, bus parking for half the population, and spots for people with disabilities. Design standards mandate safe stair railings, compliant window heights, roof barriers, proper rainwater drainage, and waste disposal systems. Restrictions include banning boundary walls for residential buildings along commercial streets, placing barriers above fences, and installing air-conditioning units or satellite dishes on balconies. For mobile cabins, the ministry requires durable steel or aluminium frames, insulated walls, anti-slip flooring, pitched roofs, and engineering suited for frequent relocation and heavy use.
Gulf Business
2 days ago
- Business
- Gulf Business
Saudi's new food establishment rules: What's next for restaurants?
Image credit: Getty Images On August 10, Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Municipalities and Housing adopted updated municipal requirements aimed at regulating food establishments across the kingdom. The move is part of a broader effort to create an integrated operational environment that aligns with public health and safety standards. The new regulations apply to five categories of food businesses: restaurants that prepare and serve meals on-site and for delivery, cafes serving beverages and snacks, cloud kitchens focused on online orders, and food kiosks operating in malls and markets. Read- The requirements mandate compliance with the Saudi Building Code, covering electrical systems, ventilation, air conditioning, and sanitation. They also specify safety features such as non-slip flooring, fire- and moisture-resistant ceilings, and efficient drainage systems. Employees must wear professional attire, carry identification cards, maintain personal hygiene, and avoid using facilities for residential purposes. Smoking is banned indoors except in designated areas, The ministry emphasised that these measures are designed to enhance regulatory oversight, standardise procedures, and improve the overall experience for visitors and beneficiaries. These updates are part of ongoing efforts to elevate operational standards across various sectors. Food labelling regulations to improve consumer awareness Earlier this year, the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) announced new technical regulations to improve transparency in the food industry and empower consumers with detailed nutritional information. Starting July 1, 2025, all food establishments will be required to display nutritional details on menus—both physical and online—as well as on digital food ordering platforms. These regulations will include a 'saltshaker' icon next to meals high in sodium, Three key technical regulations to promote healthy dietary habits On February 27, 2025, Caffeine content disclosure: Restaurants and cafes must clearly label the caffeine content of beverages on menus, specifying milligrams per 100ml or per cup. A statement will remind consumers that the maximum recommended daily caffeine intake for adults is 400mg. To assist consumers, the SFDA launched an High salt content labeling: Menu items containing over 5 grams of salt (2,000mg sodium) must be marked with a 'Salt' icon on all menus and online ordering platforms. This measure aims to raise awareness of high-sodium foods and reduce excessive salt consumption linked to various health issues. Physical activity calorie burn labelling: Menus must indicate the estimated time required to burn the calories from each menu item through physical activity. Illustrative icons will show the type and duration of activity needed, helping consumers better understand the energy impact of their food choices. These initiatives reflect the SFDA's preventative strategy to increase life expectancy and lower the burden of diet-related diseases in the country. Coordinated approach to enhancing food safety and nutrition Together, the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing and the SFDA's recent measures mark a significant step forward in Saudi Arabia's efforts to improve food safety, transparency, and public health. By introducing rigorous building and operational standards alongside comprehensive nutritional labeling requirements, the government is addressing multiple facets of food consumption, from hygiene and infrastructure to informed dietary choices. As Saudi Arabia continues its Vision 2030 reforms, these integrated regulations serve not only to protect consumers but also to encourage healthier lifestyles, reduce chronic disease prevalence, and elevate service standards within the food industry. Food establishments across the country will need to adapt to these new rules by mid-2025 to ensure compliance and support the nation's long-term health objectives.
Saudi Gazette
4 days ago
- General
- Saudi Gazette
Saudi Arabia sets health, safety and design rules for group housing units
Saudi Gazette report 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.
Time of India
04-08-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Saudi Arabia's latest rules: Strict new regulations for private food laboratories in 2025
Saudi Arabia's new rules for private food laboratories/Representative Image TL;DR: Saudi Arabia 's Ministry of Municipalities and Housing has issued new regulations for food laboratory operations, introducing strict spatial, technical, and visual standards to improve food safety, urban compliance, and investment conditions. The rules apply to private and conformity-assessment food labs, setting requirements for lab size, parking, appearance, and location while exempting government labs. Measures include banning visible wiring/air-conditioning units on facades, mandating at least 100sqm for labs, and locating labs within urban boundaries, all to raise quality and safety standards. In a significant regulatory shift, Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Municipalities and Housing has introduced stringent new rules for private food laboratories, marking a proactive step to elevate food safety and urban standards across the Kingdom. In a statement on Sunday, the ministry said the new rules apply to laboratories that conduct food testing and measurements under defined standard conditions, whether operating independently or as part of a conformity assessment body. Key features of the new regulations Scope and Applicability: The updated rules govern all laboratories engaged in food testing and measurements carried out under standardized conditions. This applies whether labs are operating independently or as part of a conformity assessment body. However, facilities managed by Saudi government bodies such as the Saudi Standards, Metrology, and Quality Organization are explicitly exempt from these requirements . Spatial and Technical Requirements: Food laboratories must now operate only within officially recognized urban areas, directly supporting urban planning objectives and reducing potential negative impacts like noise or visual pollution. There is a strict prohibition against any external environmental or visual nuisances . Key technical and spatial standards: The minimum space for any laboratory facility, whether inside an existing building or as an independent site is set at 100 square meters. Standalone labs must provide a minimum of one dedicated parking space for every 25 square meters of total space, making client and staff access easier and managing urban congestion . Aesthetic and Safety Standards: The Ministry's rules extend to the visible appearance of laboratories. New criteria strictly forbid any visible electrical wiring or external air-conditioning equipment on building facades or rooftops, reinforcing high safety, quality, and aesthetic standards for all lab buildings . Objectives These reforms are part of broader efforts to: Harness urban policy to raise overall quality of life; Foster a more compliant and attractive investment climate for food-related industries; Ensure that consumer food safety and laboratory testing standards align with the Kingdom's health and urban development strategies The reforms aim to align with broader goals of improving the urban environment and raising Saudi Arabia's profile as an attractive, investment-friendly destination for food and health-related enterprises. The Ministry emphasized that these standards are designed to promote both public health and better quality of urban life. With these robust new regulations, Saudi Arabia is strengthening its food safety framework and urban quality of life, ensuring private food labs meet the highest operational and aesthetic standards. Exemptions for government-controlled laboratories support efficient national oversight, while the private sector is positioned to grow in a more strictly regulated, investor-friendly environment.
Zawya
04-08-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Saudi Arabia issues new regulations for food laboratory operations
RIYADH — The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing has introduced new regulatory requirements for food laboratories as part of its efforts to improve the urban environment, enhance quality of life, boost compliance, and support the investment climate while ensuring the highest standards of food safety and quality. In a statement on Sunday, the ministry said the new rules apply to laboratories that conduct food testing and measurements under defined standard conditions, whether operating independently or as part of a conformity assessment body. Government laboratories, such as those run by the Saudi Standards, Metrology, and Quality Organization, are exempt. The regulations set out several spatial and technical requirements, including operating within urban boundaries, avoiding environmental or visual pollution, providing at least one parking space for every 25 square meters of total site area for standalone facilities, and maintaining a minimum laboratory space of 100 square meters, whether inside an existing building or at an independent site. Additional requirements address building facades and overall appearance, notably prohibiting visible electrical wiring or external air-conditioning units on building facades or rooftops, in line with approved safety and quality standards. © Copyright 2022 The Saudi Gazette. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
