Saudi Ministry Imposes 300-Meter Buffer for Shared Housing Near Schools and Hospitals

The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing has introduced strict location requirements for shared housing in the Kingdom, mandating that such facilities be situated at least 300 meters from any school or hospital. This buffer zone forms a core element of the newly approved health, safety and technical standards aimed at protecting community well-being and maintaining appropriate urban separations. The regulations also prevent construction in zones where specific activities are prohibited under approved master plans, according to the ministry’s framework. Residents of these facilities must adhere to density limits set out in urban and local master plans, the ministry stated in its approved requirements. Building entrances are required to open onto main roads, arterial routes or local streets with a minimum width of 20 meters while incorporating design features that ensure privacy from neighboring properties. Shared housing developments must furthermore integrate with the public transportation network and major roadways to support resident access, a ministry assessment found. Parking allocations under the new rules call for one dedicated space for every 40 residents along with sufficient bus parking to accommodate 50 percent of the building’s occupants. Designated spaces for people with disabilities are to be located near main entrances and elevators, the ministry’s guidelines specify. These provisions seek to address logistical needs while promoting accessibility across all shared housing sites, according to the regulatory text. License holders have received a grace period of at least one year to correct any shortcomings and achieve full compliance with the updated standards, according to the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing. The ministry has exempted existing buildings and complexes that already hold prior permits for shared or gated residential use, provided they satisfy the health, technical and safety criteria. This transitional approach allows operators time to adapt without immediate disruption to current arrangements, a ministry circular indicated. The regulatory document organizes shared housing for individuals into three distinct categories to account for varying scales and operational models. The first covers multi-floor buildings with a height limit of 23 meters that contain multiple residential units while the second involves groups of independent structures enclosed by perimeter walls and guarded entrances. The third category applies to mobile cabins deployed at temporary project sites with licenses valid for up to one year or project completion, the ministry explained. Earlier municipal directives on educational facilities had similarly employed distance buffers, with a 2017 framework from the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs requiring at least 300 meters between certain school types, an Al Madina newspaper report from that period detailed. The current rules for shared housing extend this planning philosophy to residential contexts involving large groups of individuals. A July 2025 report by Al Yaum on the ministry’s issuance of the framework noted additional conditions such as dual licensing and mandatory surveillance systems to support overall safety compliance.