5 categories for classifying warehouses... and new requirements to combat haphazard storage
The ministry explained that the guide provides an easy-to-use window to access all requirements issued by various relevant government agencies.
She explained that the geographical scope of the application includes new warehouses located within the administrative boundaries of municipalities, industrial cities, special economic zones, ports, and airports.
The regulatory guide excluded from its scope military warehouses, and those located in areas subject to special legislation such as Neom City and the Red Sea Project, so that the supervising authority would be the primary reference.
Explaining the investor journey
The official document confirmed that the purpose of the guide is to clarify the investor's journey through interconnected steps, while standardizing height requirements and maximum building ratios.
The Ministry stated in the guide that "this guide is for guidance purposes only, aiming to unify concepts, compile approved technical and regulatory requirements, and clarify their application areas and mechanisms without replacing relevant mandatory regulations, codes, or bylaws."
The Ministry resolved the issue of overlapping jurisdictions by affirming the supremacy of the Saudi Building Code 2024.
It clarified that in the event of any conflict between the code's requirements and those of other government agencies or international codes, and if a reconciliation is not possible, the Saudi Building Code's requirements will prevail and be mandatory.
The guide divides the investor's journey into three key stages: registration and licensing, design, construction, and approval of engineering plans, culminating in operation and business activity.
The new procedures also revealed the standardization of planning criteria to align with industrial development, allowing for heights of up to 45 meters for warehouses with automated storage in industrial cities.
It also set the maximum building ratio at up to 60% in some economic and industrial zones, while maintaining a flexible mechanism that allows investors to request technically and economically justified exceptions.
Warehouse classification
The guide classifies warehouses based on their risk level as low, medium, and high risk, according to fire prevention and protection requirements.
It also includes classifications based on usage type, such as general warehouses, refrigerated warehouses, open-air warehouses, and chemical and food warehouses.
Regarding supply chain flexibility, the guide outlines the operational mechanisms of third-party warehousing facilities managed by specialized logistics companies to serve multiple parties.
It also highlights customs warehouses in bonded zones, which allow importers to store goods with customs duties and taxes suspended, thus boosting companies' cash flow and accelerating cross-border trade.
The publication anticipates future trends in the logistics sector, emphasizing the importance of adopting sustainable building practices, improving energy efficiency, and transitioning to advanced automation.
It notes that the use of robots, automated storage systems, and artificial intelligence will necessitate continuous updates to building codes and safety requirements to protect workers and property.
