New Regulations for Residential Villas in Saudi Arabia: Increased Building Percentages and Basement Floors Allowed

The Saudi Arabian government has implemented new regulations allowing residential villas to build additional basement floors, in a move aimed at expanding residential supply in the Kingdom.

The regulations, approved by Saudi Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing Majid Al-Hogail, increase the permissible building percentage for the ground and first floors of residential villas from 70 percent to 75 percent. These regulations, which took effect from July 15, apply to new construction permits.

This decision is part of the nation’s efforts to increase home ownership to 70 percent by 2030, up from 63.74 percent in 2023, under the Housing Program, a Vision 2030 initiative.

In addition to allowing additional basement floors, the new guidelines also permit the separation of floors in residential villas into independent housing units, each with its own entrance, provided that a parking space is available for each unit within the property boundaries.

Furthermore, the regulations allow for the removal of the front wall facing the street to utilize the set back area for parking spaces for the villa’s residential units, thereby increasing the number of parking spaces available.

The amendments also allow for the ground floor of a multi-story residential building to be used for parking, without counting it as part of the official number of floors. Additionally, the regulations permit an increase in the housing percentage in upper floor annexes to 70 percent and the use of basements for housing in both residential villas and buildings, as long as natural ventilation and lighting are ensured.

These new regulations follow international best practices to enhance quality of life, encourage investment, improve the urban landscape, and regulate development in a way that positively impacts the urban environment and the fabric of Saudi cities.

The regulations also include specifications for driver or domestic worker’s bedrooms, the placement of air-conditioning units, and restrictions on extensions on facades facing roads and main streets. They do not apply to certain types of buildings such as hotels, lodges, senior citizens’ and disabled centers, high-rise towers, and communal housing for individuals.

Existing buildings and those under construction can benefit from the increased building percentages, heights, and all updates mentioned in the decision, ensuring the building’s safety without harming neighboring properties.

Overall, these regulations encompass spatial planning requirements and technical specifications to ensure that residential construction in Saudi Arabia meets high standards of quality and safety.