Obtaining a building permit under the new Saudi Building Code (SBC) has become a digital and organized process aimed at ensuring the highest standards of quality and safety. So, what are the steps to obtaining a building permit? Let us first get to know the Saudi Building Code (SBC) and why it has become mandatory.

What is the Saudi Building Code (SBC)?

The Saudi Building Code (SBC) is a set of requirements and conditions defined by regulations, bylaws, and executive decisions related to construction and building works, aimed at ensuring safety, public health, structural durability, and the rational use of water and energy.

Why has it become mandatory?

• Ensuring structural safety: To reduce the risk of collapses or cracks resulting from design or construction errors.
• Improving energy efficiency: The code imposes specific standards for thermal insulation, which reduces electricity costs in the future.
• Regulating contractual relationships: It defines the responsibilities of the design engineer, the supervising engineer, and the contractor, thereby ensuring the rights of the building owner.
• Sustainability: Extending the lifespan of buildings and reducing periodic maintenance costs.

Steps to obtaining a building permit.

Required documents:

1. Title deed: It must be updated and in electronic form.
2. National ID: For the owner (or the commercial registration if the owner is an establishment/company).
3. Soil investigation report: A technical report issued by an accredited soil laboratory that identifies the soil type and its bearing capacity in order to design the foundations accordingly.
4. Cadastral decision: It is issued through the platform via the engineering office.

Steps of work and the role of the engineering office:

1. Contracting with a design engineering office: To prepare the plans (architectural, structural, electrical, mechanical, etc.) in accordance with the requirements of the Saudi Building Code.
2. Contracting with a supervising engineering office: To follow up on the construction stages later on (it may be the same design office or a different one).
3. Contracting with a construction contractor: The contractor must be registered and classified with the Saudi Contractors Authority.
4. Submitting the application: The engineering office uploads all plans and documents through the platform.
5. Payment of fees: After the application is submitted, a municipal fees invoice is issued (issuance fees and inspection fees).
6. Municipality review: The municipality reviews the plans to ensure they comply with municipal and zoning requirements.

Latent defects insurance.

Latent defects insurance is a fundamental requirement for issuing a building permit.

Its importance:

It covers the cost of repairing any defects that appear in the structural frame, insulation, or main installations for 10 years from the date of construction completion.

How to activate it:

1. It is automatically linked between the platform and an insurance company.
2. The approved contractor enters the project details and the estimated construction cost.
3. The insurance invoice is issued to the owner, and once it is paid, the insurance policy is activated as a final condition for issuing the permit.
4. Note: Insurance coverage is not considered complete until technical inspection visits are carried out by the technical inspection company appointed by the insurance company during the construction phases.

The chronological sequence from the idea to the issuance of the permit.

• Phase One (one to two weeks): The architectural concept, land surveying, and the soil investigation report.
• Phase Two (one to two weeks): Preparing the comprehensive engineering drawings by the designing office and ensuring their compliance with the Saudi code.
• Phase Three (3–5 days): Contracting with the supervising office, the contractor, and the insurance company through the platform.
• Phase Four (working days): Submission to the Municipality, issuance of the fee invoice, and its payment.
• Phase Five: Issuance of the digital permit after review, followed by the commencement of construction works.

Additional information: Estimating the insurance cost.

The cost calculation mainly depends on the construction cost per square meter and the total built-up area. In general, the insurance rate ranges from 1% to 1.5% of the building construction cost, plus value-added tax.

Practical example (residential villas):

We assume that you have a villa with the following specifications:

• Total built-up area: 600 square meters (the sum of the ground floor + first floor + annex areas).
• Estimated cost per square meter (according to the average market rate adopted on the platform): 1000 riyals per square meter.
• Total construction value: 600,000 riyals.

The calculation:

1. Basic insurance value (1%): 600,000 × 0.01 = 6,000 riyals.
2. Value-added tax (15%): 6,000 × 0.15 = 900 riyals.
3. Expected total insurance invoice amount: approximately 6,900 riyals.

Note: A small administrative fee or technical inspection fee may be added, which could slightly increase the total amount.