Details of the new requirements for street vendors and the 180-day grace period
The Minister of Municipalities and Housing, Majid Al-Hogail, issued an official decree approving regulations for street vendors and mobile merchants. This strategic step aims to organize this vital sector and address visual pollution in Saudi cities. The decree grants existing establishments a 180-day grace period to adjust their operations to comply with the new regulations, ensuring a safe and organized commercial environment for all.
The historical development of mobile market organization
Historically, street vending in many cities has been characterized by its haphazard nature and lack of regulation, leading to numerous challenges including traffic congestion, increased visual pollution, and difficulties in ensuring the health and safety of the products offered. With the launch of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 programs, the urgent need to structure the informal economy and integrate it into the formal commercial system has become apparent. These successive government initiatives aim to improve the urban landscape, enhance the quality of life in cities, and transform street vendors from informal operators into small-scale entrepreneurs operating within a legal framework that protects both their rights and the rights of consumers.
Details of the requirements for street vendors and the grace period for correction
This decision will take effect immediately upon its publication on the Ministry's website, officially replacing previous regulations and decisions concerning municipal incubators and street vendors. The decision grants existing establishments a grace period of 180 days from the date of publication to adjust their operations. It also stipulates that existing commercial licenses are exempt from the new spatial requirements until their expiry date, even if they differ from the previously authorized purpose. The Ministry emphasized that engaging in this activity requires a different type of municipal license, specifically designated for certain categories of individuals who do not own permanent commercial premises.
Permitted and prohibited sites for selling
The ministry clarified that obtaining a permit for a sales outlet or food truck stand requires a valid license and approval from the relevant municipal authority. The regulations specify permitted locations for such activities, including public squares, parks, event venues, investment sites, and open spaces in traditional markets and commercial streets. Conversely, the ministry strongly warned against operating at road intersections, entrances, exits, in front of traffic lights, near government and security facilities, and in disabled parking spaces.
Space standards and flow of movement
To ensure smooth traffic flow, the regulations stipulate that pedestrians must have a minimum distance of 1.8 meters, and that the distance between a cart and any building entrance must be at least six meters. The regulations also specify that the retail outlet must be at least four square meters, while the minimum space for a cart is set at twelve square meters. Regarding visual identity, the Ministry requires vendors to display commercial signs that include the owner's name and business activity, and to provide a unified electronic code on the storefront for easy access to official documents. The use of gas lighting and the display of trademarks without legal authorization are prohibited.
Strict controls for public health and safety
On the technical and health front, the regulations emphasized the need for fully equipped outlets, the use of rust-resistant surfaces, and the provision of a sink connected to a drainage tank for food-related activities. The Ministry categorically prohibited the sale of uncooked meat, poultry, and fish, as well as medicines, tobacco, and fireworks. Employees were also required to wear appropriate protective gear, including gloves and masks, and to immediately cease work if they exhibited any symptoms of illness. The regulations imposed strict hygiene standards, mandating that vendors provide foot-operated waste containers and prohibiting the disposal of waste outside designated containers or the indiscriminate disposal of cooking oil.
The economic and social dimensions of the new decision
This new regulation carries significant strategic dimensions on several levels. Locally, the decision empowers young people and productive families to enter the labor market with low operating costs, thus boosting the local economy and reducing unemployment rates. Regionally and internationally, this regulation reflects the Kingdom's commitment to implementing the highest standards of smart and sustainable cities, enhancing the attractiveness of Saudi cities to tourists by creating vibrant and well-organized public spaces that rival the open markets of major global capitals.
Vendors' complexes and municipal oversight
The regulations also addressed investors wishing to establish designated areas for street vendors, requiring them to submit comprehensive traffic studies to the relevant committees, obtain Civil Defense approvals, and equip these areas with accessible pathways and ramps for people with disabilities, in accordance with the Saudi Building Code. The Ministry concluded its regulations by guaranteeing the right to appeal the application of these provisions before the relevant committees, emphasizing that municipalities are the sole authorities empowered to monitor implementation and impose penalties on violators, striving to achieve a sustainable and safe urban environment for all.
