Amended Regulation on Saudi Building Code Inspection Bodies Takes Effect
On 15 May 2026 the Umm Al-Qura official gazette published Decision No. 47150027, dated 12 Dhu al-Qadah 1447 AH, by Majid Al-Hogail, Minister of Municipalities and Housing and Chairman of the Board of the Saudi Building Code National Center. It approves an amended General Requirements Regulation for appointing inspection bodies and inspectors for Saudi Building Code works, effective from the date of publication.
Key takeaways
- The decision approves the amended regulation “in the attached form” and makes it effective on publication in the official gazette.
- The regulation governs how inspection bodies and inspectors are appointed for Saudi Building Code works.
- The legal basis cited is Article 15 of the Saudi Building Code Application Law and the Center’s organizational arrangements.
- The decision page does not show the amended text itself, so check the approved text before relying on any change.
The decision
The decision has three articles: the first approves the amended regulation in the attached form, the second orders its publication in the official gazette with effect from that date, and the third directs that it be communicated to the relevant parties. Its preamble cites Article 15 of the Saudi Building Code Application Law (Royal Decree M/43, 1438 AH), Council of Ministers Decision No. 656 of 1446 AH on the Center’s organizational arrangements, and the minutes of Board meeting No. 5/M/47.
The published decision page does not list the amended articles, so this report does not describe any new requirement that could not be verified.
What it means for the Saudi market
Inspection of code works is part of how the Saudi Building Code is applied, and the code includes the fire protection requirements of SBC 801. A change in how inspection bodies and inspectors are appointed can affect how site visits are scheduled and what records are expected. Owners, contractors and consultants should read the amended text from the Saudi Building Code Center before their next inspection stages rather than rely on older copies.
AZEIDK Expert Take
Whatever the detail of the amendment, work passes inspection more easily when it is well documented: approved drawings, installation that matches them and test reports ready on site. Before fire protection works are inspected, a drawings and specifications review helps find gaps early, and testing, commissioning and handover produces documented performance records that can be shown at inspection. Where the project needs Civil Defense approval for fire fighting systems, the Civil Defense approval support page explains what AZEIDK covers at that stage.
Sources
- Approval of the amended General Requirements Regulation for appointing inspection bodies and inspectors for Saudi Building Code works (in Arabic), Umm Al-Qura (Official Gazette), 15 May 2026
