Jeddah Municipality: Immediate penalties for those who violate building regulations
The Jeddah Municipality announced decisive measures to regulate the urban landscape within residential neighborhoods, emphasizing the immediate enforcement of penalties against construction sites operating outside officially permitted hours. This step comes in response to complaints regarding noise pollution and aims to provide a peaceful residential environment befitting the city's residents and visitors.
Intensive monitoring campaigns to apprehend violators
The municipality clarified that it has intensified the presence of its field inspection teams by conducting surprise and intensive inspection tours targeting all construction sites in various Jeddah neighborhoods. These campaigns aim to monitor any violations related to working hours and to immediately address any infractions, while taking the necessary legal measures against contractors and supervising engineering offices found to be negligent in adhering to the approved regulations, bylaws, and instructions, without any leniency or exceptions.
Organizational context for improving the urban landscape
These measures come within the framework of the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing's efforts to regulate the construction sector in the Kingdom. The Ministry has established strict regulations governing working hours in residential areas to prevent noise and auditory pollution. These regulations are an integral part of municipal bylaws aimed at protecting residents' right to rest, especially during nighttime and holidays, reflecting an evolution in municipal oversight mechanisms and a shift from simply monitoring technical building violations to considering social and environmental aspects.
Joint responsibility and quality of life
The Jeddah Municipality emphasized that compliance is not the responsibility of a single party, but rather a shared and collective responsibility. While the municipality fulfills its regulatory and supervisory role, the contractor and the supervising engineering firm bear direct professional and ethical responsibility. The municipality pointed out that the rapid urban development Jeddah is witnessing cannot come at the expense of the comfort of citizens and residents, and that adherence to the specified timelines is a fundamental pillar for achieving a balance between development requirements and the preservation of public order.
Alignment with the Kingdom's Vision 2030
This trend is closely linked to the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, specifically the Quality of Life Program, which aims to elevate the level of services in Saudi cities and bring them up to global standards of livability. Reducing noise and visual pollution within residential neighborhoods is a key indicator of quality of life, making strict enforcement and monitoring essential for creating an organized, safe, and sustainable urban environment.
The Secretariat concluded its statement by calling on all those involved in the building and construction sector to fully comply with the issued instructions, stressing that compliance is the only legitimate option, and that it will continue to monitor violations and apply penalties to ensure the community’s right to a quiet and disturbance-free environment.
