MOMAH Reminds Tailoring Shops of Their Requirements: Civil Defense Approval and Camera Limits
On 5 November 2026, the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing (MOMAH) urged owners and staff of tailoring shops to comply with the approved municipal tailoring shop requirements, as reported by Al-Madina newspaper citing the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) the same day. The requirements cover men’s and women’s tailoring, alteration and embroidery shops, and the ministry listed compliance with the Saudi Building Code and fire prevention and protection among the safety requirements.
Key takeaways
- The reminder was issued on 5 November 2026 and covers tailoring, alteration and embroidery shops for men and women.
- The municipal licence requires Civil Defense approval before it is issued, according to Al-Watan (8 November 2026) and the requirements document.
- The document refers to the Saudi Fire Code SBC 801 and to Civil Defense fire prevention requirements.
- Internal surveillance cameras are not allowed; cameras are permitted in the reception area if it is separated.
- Municipalities and Amanat are responsible for enforcement.
What the tailoring shop requirements in Saudi say
The rules come from the “Tailoring Shops Requirements” document published on the ministry’s website under Ministerial Decision No. 4500662917/1 dated 28/2/1446H. It requires Civil Defense approval before the licence is issued, points to all requirements of the Saudi Building Code for fire (SBC 801), and lists the Civil Defense fire prevention requirements among its references. For storage, the distance between the storage level and the ceiling must not exceed 60 cm where there are no fire sprinklers.
On surveillance, the document requires security cameras in line with the Law on the Use of Security Surveillance Cameras and its Executive Regulation, but it prohibits internal surveillance cameras and allows them in the reception area when that area is separated. The ministry’s statement also mentioned a first aid kit, adequate lighting in all areas, and the unified QR code displayed on the storefront.
What it means for the Saudi market
This is not a new regulation. It is an official reminder of existing requirements, with emphasis on field inspections. Two points matter for shop owners. First, Civil Defense approval comes before the municipal licence, so a licence will not be issued or renewed until the fire protection requirements are met. Second, camera layout in a tailoring shop has a specific limit: no internal cameras, with cameras allowed in a separated reception area, alongside the security cameras required by law. A camera design that ignores this limit can lead to a violation during an inspection.
AZEIDK Expert Take
Before applying or renewing, check the shop against Civil Defense requirements: extinguishers suited to the stored materials, clear and lit exits, and the storage clearance below the ceiling. Useful starting points are our Civil Defense approval support service, the Salamah certificate guide and the fire extinguishers range. For cameras, fix the layout to what the requirements allow before buying and installing; see Saudi security camera law and facility obligations and our security and surveillance systems. For a specific shop, talk to the AZEIDK team.
Sources
- MOMAH: tailoring shop requirements serve investors and customers and protect facility safety (in Arabic), Al-Madina citing SPA, 5 November 2026
- Tailoring Shops Requirements, Ministerial Decision 4500662917/1 (in Arabic), Ministry of Municipalities and Housing, 1446H
- Municipalities pursue tailoring shop violations (in Arabic), Al-Watan, 8 November 2026
- MOMAH requires tailoring shops to accept e-payment and display prices (in Arabic), Al-Eqtisadiah, 5 November 2026
