A strategic step towards digital transformation and protecting intellectual property rights
In its efforts to develop the municipal and real estate sectors, the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia launched the Unified Procedural Guide for Survey Decisions. This guide aims to standardize the technical and engineering procedures related to property identification, protect real estate ownership, and prevent overlaps and disputes, all through the “Baladi” digital platform, which has become the primary reference for these services.
General context: Vision 2030 and digital transformation
This step is an integral part of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 objectives, which prioritize digital transformation and improving the efficiency of government services. Land surveying and registration procedures have long been complex and involved multiple authorities, leading to delays and disputes over boundaries and areas. The new guide represents a significant leap towards fully automating procedures, from the beneficiary's contracting with an accredited engineering office through the “Baladi” platform to the issuance of the approved survey decision electronically. This enhances transparency and reduces the administrative burden on citizens and investors.
Key features of the new procedural guide
The ministry confirmed that the new guide mandates engineering offices to use the latest technologies to ensure the highest levels of accuracy. It stipulates the necessity of using advanced GNSS (Global Geodetic System for Surveying) equipment and linking to the Kingdom's National Geodetic Reference System (SANSRS) in all surveying work. The guide establishes strict technical accuracy standards ranging from 3 millimeters to 5 centimeters, depending on the nature of the project, and warns against submitting any incorrect data under penalty of law.
Open access and ban on dangerous sites
One of the most important updates introduced by the guide is granting survey decisions an open-ended, indefinite validity period. These decisions remain in effect unless significant changes occur to the land or zoning plans that necessitate updating. This amendment provides property owners with greater stability and confidence in their documents. In a proactive step to ensure public safety, the guide categorically prohibits the adoption of any survey decision for lands located within wadi beds or floodplains, or in areas prohibited by royal decree. It also mandates that engineering offices clarify any overlaps to ensure their exclusion from the net land area.
Importance and expected impact
These regulations are expected to have a wide-ranging positive impact. Domestically, they will expedite real estate transactions, reduce property disputes, and boost investor confidence in the Saudi real estate market. They also support sustainable urban planning efforts by preventing expansion into areas prone to natural disasters—a crucial lesson learned from past experiences. Regionally and internationally, these measures position the Kingdom among the leading countries in digital real estate management, enhancing its attractiveness as a destination for foreign investment seeking a clear and secure regulatory environment.
