Jeddah Municipality imposes immediate penalties for violations of building time regulations
The Jeddah Municipality has affirmed its commitment to immediately and strictly enforcing penalties against contractors and engineering firms found to be carrying out construction work outside of permitted hours. This decisive action comes in response to complaints regarding noise pollution in residential neighborhoods and reflects the municipality's commitment to enforcing regulations governing the construction sector.
Intensive field monitoring to detect violations
The municipality clarified that it has increased the pace of field monitoring through specialized inspection teams that conduct surprise and intensive tours of various construction sites in the governorate. These tours aim to detect any violations related to working hours and to take the necessary legal measures against violators, whether they are contractors or supervising offices, in accordance with the regulations, bylaws, and instructions approved by the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing, without any leniency or exceptions.
A regulatory framework aimed at improving the urban landscape
These measures are part of broader efforts by the Kingdom to regulate the construction sector. The Ministry has established specific guidelines for working hours aimed at balancing the speed of project completion with residents' right to rest and quiet. These guidelines are part of the updated municipal penalties and fines regulations, which aim to deter violators and curb previously prevalent haphazard practices, such as working late at night or during midday breaks, causing noise pollution that harms public health.
Alignment with the objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030
The Secretariat indicated that this regulatory approach is fully aligned with the objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, specifically the "Quality of Life" program, which aims to elevate the level of services in Saudi cities and improve the living environment for residents. Adherence to regulations is not limited to the legal aspect alone, but extends to enhancing compliance and improving governance efficiency, thus contributing to the creation of a safe, quiet, and sustainable urban environment, free from noise and visual pollution.
Shared responsibility and community role
The municipality emphasized that compliance is not the responsibility of one party alone, but rather a shared responsibility. While the municipality fulfills its regulatory and oversight role, the contractor and the supervising engineering firm bear direct professional and ethical responsibility for site management and adherence to approved timelines. The municipality also called upon residents to contribute to this effort by reporting any observed violations through official channels (such as the 940 hotline or the Baladi app), stressing that compliance with regulations is the only way to ensure work proceeds without interruptions or financial penalties.
