Municipal licensing statistics 2025: 574,000 licenses issued in Saudi Arabia

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The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia revealed new record figures reflecting the developmental boom witnessed by the municipal sector, as the Ministry announced the issuance of more than 574,000 various municipal licenses during 2025. These statistics confirm the success of the digital transformation strategies adopted by the Ministry, which aim to facilitate the journey of beneficiaries, whether individuals or the business sector, as part of its ongoing efforts to regulate urban activities and raise the efficiency of procedures.

A quantum leap in digital services and institutional transformation

These impressive figures come within the context of the comprehensive development drive the Kingdom is experiencing under the umbrella of Saudi Vision 2030, where the Ministry has worked to automate procedures and reduce bureaucracy to an unprecedented degree. Reaching this volume of licenses is tangible evidence of the maturity of the digital infrastructure in the municipal sector, which has contributed to transforming traditional services into fast and efficient electronic pathways that serve the goals of sustainable development and improve the quality of life in Saudi cities.

Licensing details: Rapid growth in commercial and construction activities

In detailing the announced figures, the ministry explained that the licenses issued covered a wide range of economic and urban development aspects, with commercial licenses topping the list at over 202,000. This reflects the economic recovery and the attractiveness of the Saudi market to investors and entrepreneurs. The statistics also included the issuance of:

78,000 building permits: This indicates the continuation of urban expansion and meeting the increasing demand for residential and commercial units.
66,000 occupancy certificates: to ensure the readiness and safety of buildings before use.
199,000 excavation permits: to support infrastructure projects and extend public services and facilities.
8,400 restoration permits and 4,700 demolition permits: within the framework of urban fabric renewal operations in cities.
4,700 land fencing permits: to protect property and regulate vacant land.

Speed of completion: Only 24 hours to issue the license

Perhaps the most striking finding of the statistics is the remarkable improvement in service delivery speed, with the average time for issuing municipal licenses reaching approximately 24 hours by 2025. This figure represents a significant achievement compared to previous years and enhances the Kingdom's competitiveness in international ease of doing business indices. This expedited process not only saves time and effort for beneficiaries but also directly contributes to accelerating economic activity and reducing operating costs for small and medium-sized enterprises.

Urban compliance and urban landscape improvement

Regarding oversight and quality, the Ministry confirmed achieving 100% compliance with the first phase target for the Building Compliance Certificate. This certificate is a cornerstone in efforts to address visual pollution and improve the urban landscape, ensuring that building owners adhere to municipal standards and regulations. This positively impacts the aesthetics of Saudi cities and provides a healthy and safe built environment for residents and visitors.

In conclusion, these indicators confirm that the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing is proceeding with the development of the licensing and control system, and updating the guidelines and requirements in line with changes, to ensure the sustainability of urban development and enhance the efficiency of municipal work in all regions of the Kingdom.