Category: Design
Prepared by Eng. Ahmed Fathy, Projects Manager ·
Definition
The building permit is the official approval from the municipality to construct the building to approved drawings. It is requested on the Balady platform through an approved engineering office that uploads the architectural and structural drawings and any required reports, and it is checked automatically and technically before it is issued.
Why it matters on a project
No excavation or construction may start without a valid permit, and a breach exposes the owner to fines and stoppage. The drawings approved with the permit are what the building is checked against at occupancy.
Common mistake
Changing the design during construction without amending the permit, so the difference shows up at the occupancy certificate or utility connection.
Frequently asked questions
Can the owner apply for the permit himself?
The owner applies through Balady, but the drawings are uploaded by an engineering office approved on the platform, which is responsible for their compliance.
What gets a permit request returned most often?
Setback or coverage breaches, missing structural drawings or soil report, and facades that do not meet the architecture guidelines in cities that apply them.
Related terms
- Construction drawingsDetailed drawings used to build the work on site after design approval, including dimensions, levels and details.
- SetbackThe required distance between the plot boundary and the building line.
- Saudi Building Code (SBC)The mandatory design and construction requirements in Saudi Arabia.
- Soil investigation reportThe borehole study on which the foundations are designed.
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