Renewing a Building Permit Without Complications: Your Comprehensive Guide to Avoiding Common Mistakes

Renewing a building permit is a necessary step for anyone who owns a property or is responsible for developing a construction project.

However, many individuals face multiple challenges related to procedures, regulatory requirements, and even misunderstandings of certain legal provisions.

This article is designed to be your practical reference for renewing a building permit with ease and clarity.

We highlight the most common mistakes people make and guide you to effective ways to avoid them.

Whether you’re renewing for the first time or have previously dealt with the relevant authorities, this guide will provide you with the precise information you need to complete the process without delay or complexity.

What is the building permit renewal service?

The building permit renewal service is an official procedure that enables a property or project owner to extend an expired building permit previously issued by the municipality or competent authority.

This service allows the owner to complete previously authorized construction work or modifications without the need to issue a new permit.

Read more information about: How an engineering feasibility study draws a roadmap for your project.

What is the importance of the building permit renewal service for project owners?

Building permit renewal is of great importance to both project and real estate owners on several levels, including the following:

The building permit renewal process ensures that the project complies with various municipal laws and urban regulations, ensuring no work stoppages or fines are incurred.
Renewing a building permit helps avoid any disruption to workflow, as the validity of the permit is a prerequisite for continuing construction or expansion work, thus maintaining project schedules.
A renewed permit strengthens the project owner’s legal position and gives them the right to defend their facilities in the event of any disputes or complaints from third parties.
Some financing and banking institutions require a valid building permit to approve project financing or expansion. Government agencies may also link certain services or facilities to permit renewal.
Permit renewal is necessary when undertaking major maintenance work or structural modifications, facilitating the legal and safe implementation of work.

Read more information about: Why do you need an engineering consultant for projects.

How to renew a building permit step by step:

Renewing a building permit in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia requires a series of successive steps, as specified by the Balady platform of the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing, which include the following:

Register on the Balady platform through the National Unified Access Portal (Absher) using your login credentials.
Select the building permit renewal service from the list of construction services available on the platform.
Select the secretariat and municipality to which the permit belongs, then enter the number and date of the permit to be renewed.
Complete all fields and information accurately according to the approved regulations.
Attach the necessary documents, such as a copy of the previous permit, the title deed, and any other documents required depending on the type of application.
Select an accredited engineering office to review the application and ensure its compliance with technical and regulatory requirements.
After the application is approved, pay the required fees electronically through the platform.
After completing the application review and paying the fees, you can download and print the renewed building permit directly from your account on the platform.

Documents and papers required to renew a building permit:

The building permit renewal process in Saudi Arabia requires a set of essential documents to ensure prompt processing and avoid any delays or final rejection.

Any incomplete or failed submission of the required documents may result in delays or the suspension of the application entirely.

The most important documents that must be attached are:

A copy of the previous building permit, to prove the existence of a valid or expired permit that requires renewal.
A copy of the title deed or document confirming ownership of the property or land subject to the application.
A copy of the national ID card of the project or property owner.
An official authorization if applying through an engineering office or agent. This must be certified by the Chamber of Commerce or authenticated by a legal power of attorney.
A statement of the site’s suitability for construction, indicating the site’s potential for development or completion.
A declaration from the designing engineering office that it bears full responsibility for the design, engineering studies, and follow-up of the necessary procedures
Submit approved building plans in PDF format, signed and stamped by the approved engineering office.
A receipt for payment of the electronic fees for building permit renewal.

Building permit renewal fees:

The Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has set the building permit renewal fee (for expired construction permits) at SAR 150, according to the latest regulations for 2025.

This fee is paid electronically via the “Balady” platform after completing the renewal application process.

It should be noted that this cost differs from the fee for issuing a new building permit, which is calculated based on the type of building (residential or commercial), its area, and its municipal classification, according to the prescribed fees in SAR per square meter.

The legal period allowed for renewing a building permit before its expiration:

The legal period allowed for renewing a building permit is three years from the date of issuance or receipt.

Renewal is required before its expiration to avoid late fines.

It is preferable to initiate renewal procedures six months before the expiration date, through the relevant authorities or via the Baladi electronic platform, to ensure the continued validity of the permit without any obstacles.

The difference between issuing a new license and renewing a building license:

Elements	Issuing a new building permit	Building permit renewal
Definition	An official procedure granted when planning to build a new facility (residential, commercial, industrial) for the first time.	It is an extension of the validity of a valid or expired building permit in which construction work has not been completed within the specified time period.
Purpose	Allowing construction work to commence in accordance with plans approved by the relevant municipality or secretariat.	Allowing the completion of construction work that was not completed within the original license period, without the need to obtain a new license.
Fees	Full issuance fee.	Renewal fee only
Responsible Authority	Municipality, concerned secretariat.	Municipality, concerned secretariat.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What are the reasons for rejecting a building permit renewal application?

A building permit renewal application may be rejected for several different reasons, including, but not limited to:

Incomplete documents and information required for permit renewal.
Construction violations on the property.
A legal dispute over the property or title deed.
Violation of new planning and regulatory requirements.
Failure to pay municipal fees or fines.

in conclusion

Given the above, the process of obtaining or renewing a building permit, despite its apparent simplicity, requires a high degree of precision and commitment at every stage.

Any omission or lack of detail could lead to work delays or unexpected fines, which could significantly hamper the project’s progress.

The question that may come to mind here is: How can I avoid these complications and ensure a smooth process?

The simple answer is to enlist the help of Bassem Engineering Consulting, which will handle all application and follow-up procedures on your behalf.

Leveraging its extensive experience and in-depth knowledge of the requirements of the relevant authorities, it will ensure your transaction is completed with the highest levels of efficiency and professionalism, without any surprises that could hinder your project’s progress.