Balady

Balady Platform: The Practical Guide to Municipal Licenses in Saudi Arabia 2026

Balady (balady.gov.sa) is the official electronic portal of the Saudi Ministry of Municipalities and Housing. The platform provides all electronic municipal services for individuals, businesses, and government entities, including issuance and renewal of commercial licenses, building permits, safety certificates, and other essential municipal services. This guide explains Balady services, the SADAD biller code, the official fees calculator, the conditions for instant and non-instant issuance, and the platform's integration with other government platforms for 2026.

Overview

Balady is the unified platform for all municipal services in Saudi Arabia, operating under the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing. It allows users to complete all municipal transactions electronically without visiting municipal offices, serving three main categories:

• Individuals: for citizens and residents (complaints, personal building permits, general municipal services).
• Business: for companies and establishments (commercial licenses, advertising boards, road occupation, commercial construction).
• Government: for government entities to use municipal services in their projects.

Official link: balady.gov.sa | Operator: Ministry of Municipalities and Housing (momah.gov.sa)

Key Services

Balady offers dozens of electronic services related to municipal affairs. The most notable for investors and companies include:

1. Commercial License Services

• Issuing a new commercial license.
• Renewing a commercial license.
• Modifying a commercial license (changing activity, location, or data).
• Cancelling a commercial license.
• Inquiring about a commercial license.

2. Building Permit Services

• Issuing a new building permit.
• Renewing a building permit.
• Inquiring about a building permit.
• Technical reports (a basic requirement for several construction services).

3. Safety Certificates and Civil Defense

• Issuing safety certificates from the General Directorate of Civil Defense.
• Renewing safety certificates.
• Inquiring about certificate validity.

4. Services for Real Estate Developers

• Receiving infrastructure from the Communications, Space and Technology Commission.
• Registering and qualifying real estate developers with the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing.

5. Additional Services

• Mobile shop services (inquiring about vendors and markets).
• Local slaughterhouse requirements.
• Receiving and tracking municipal reports.
• Various municipal inquiries and transactions.

Commercial License Fees in Balady 2026

There are no fixed unified fees for a commercial license in Balady. Fees vary significantly from one license to another based on several interacting factors:

• Official fees calculator: apps.balady.gov.sa/Eservices/FeesCalculator (calculate the actual cost of your license before applying).

• SADAD biller code for Balady platform services: biller code 177 (Ministry of Municipalities and Housing).

• License fees are paid through the SADAD system using biller code 177 from the bank app or ATM.

Instant vs Non-Instant Issuance in Balady

Balady offers two types of license issuance and renewal, automatically determined by the system based on the activity type, establishment location, and the building's technical conditions:

Instant Issuance

The system issues the license immediately after fees are paid, without requiring a municipality inspection. However, this is only available when ALL of the following conditions are met simultaneously:

• Type of place: office only (not warehouse, factory, or workshop).
• No prior damages or violations in the building.
• The building is pre-registered in the Balady platform.
• The site area does not exceed 63 square meters.

Non-Instant Issuance

If any of the instant-issuance conditions is missing, the license follows the non-instant path:

1. The request is sent to the municipality after data entry.
2. A municipality inspector visits the site to verify data and attachments.
3. The inspector submits the inspection report.
4. The municipality approves the request after reviewing the report.
5. If the license data differs from the inspector's report, a fee difference may be charged.
6. The license is issued after final approval.

• Official source: balady.gov.sa FAQ + momah.gov.sa (Ministry of Municipalities and Housing).

• Low-risk activities in registered locations with small areas receive instant issuance.

• High-risk activities (factories, workshops, large warehouses) always require inspection.

How It Works

Steps to Issue/Renew a Commercial License

7. Access the Balady platform (balady.gov.sa) or the "Balady" app via the National Single Sign-On (Absher).
8. Click the Services icon and select "Commercial Licenses Product."
9. Select the required service (issue, renew, modify, cancel).
10. Click "Start Service" and select the establishment record and the license.
11. Fill in the activity data, location, area, and upload required attachments (commercial registration, lease contract, etc.).
12. Generate the payment invoice and review the service fees via the Balady calculator.
13. Pay the fees through SADAD using biller code 177 if the activity is instant, or send the request to the municipality if non-instant.
14. Receive the license electronically after payment (for instant) or after inspection and approval (for non-instant).

When You Need This Platform

You will need the Balady platform in the following situations:

• Establishing a new company in Saudi Arabia that needs a commercial activity license for its premises.
• Opening a new branch for an existing company (office, warehouse, factory, workshop).
• Renewing an existing commercial license before its expiration.
• Modifying license data (relocating premises, changing activity, modifying area).
• Obtaining a building permit for new premises or expansion of existing ones.
• Obtaining safety certificates from Civil Defense for the commercial premises.
• Installing advertising or directional boards for the establishment.
• Cancelling the commercial license upon permanent closure of the activity.
• For real estate developers: registering projects and receiving infrastructure.
• Submitting municipal reports or tracking the status of previous requests.

Requirements

• Valid commercial registration from the Saudi Business Center (business.sa).
• Lease contract for the commercial premises documented on the Ejar platform.
• Active Absher account for the authorized representative (to use the National Single Sign-On).
• Complete establishment data (name, activity, area, location, coordinates).
• Civil Defense approval (if the activity requires a safety certificate).
• Approved waste contract (for certain activities that require it).
• Mobile number registered in Absher to receive verification codes.
• For foreign companies: a Saudi national or Saudi resident as authorized representative to manage the account.

Balady Integration with Other Government Platforms

Balady is automatically connected to several government platforms to streamline procedures for investors:

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Balady platform?

Balady (balady.gov.sa) is the official electronic portal of the Saudi Ministry of Municipalities and Housing. It provides all municipal services electronically for individuals, businesses, and government entities, including commercial license issuance and renewal, building permits, safety certificates, and services for real estate developers.

What is the SADAD biller code for Balady?

The SADAD biller code for the Balady platform is 177 (Ministry of Municipalities and Housing). It is used to pay fees for all municipal services: commercial licenses, building permits, safety certificates, and others. Payment is made from the bank app or ATM using biller code 177 and the invoice number issued from Balady.

How much is a commercial license in Balady?

Commercial license fees vary based on several factors: area in square meters, type of place (office, warehouse, factory, workshop), advertising board size (directional or advertising), presence or absence of a waste contract, activity type, establishment location, and license duration. There are no fixed unified fees; the official Balady calculator at apps.balady.gov.sa/Eservices/FeesCalculator is recommended for actual fee calculation.

What is the difference between instant and non-instant issuance?

Instant issuance: The license is issued directly after payment, requiring all 4 conditions simultaneously: place type is office only, no damages in the building, the building is pre-registered in Balady, and the area does not exceed 63 square meters. Non-instant issuance: When any of these conditions is missing, the request is sent to the municipality for inspector review and report study before approval.

How do I issue a commercial activity license in Balady?

Steps: (1) access balady.gov.sa via National Single Sign-On (Absher), (2) select the Commercial Licenses Product, (3) select the new license issuance service, (4) specify the establishment record, (5) fill in activity and location data and upload attachments, (6) generate the payment invoice, (7) pay fees via SADAD biller code 177, (8) receive the license instantly or after inspection depending on the activity type.

Do foreign investors need a Saudi manager to use Balady?

Yes, accessing Balady requires an active Absher account, which requires a valid national ID or Saudi residency. Foreign investors without Saudi residency need a Saudi national or Saudi resident as authorized representative to manage the company's file on Balady. Motaded Limited provides the authorized manager service for foreign investors.

What are the basic requirements for issuing a Balady license?

Requirements: valid commercial registration from the Saudi Business Center, lease contract documented on the Ejar platform, active Absher account for the authorized representative, complete establishment data, Civil Defense approval (for activities requiring it), and approved waste contract (for certain activities). Regulated activities may require additional licenses from competent authorities.

How long does Balady license issuance take?

For instant issuance: the license is issued directly after fee payment. For non-instant issuance: the duration depends on the inspector's visit and report review by the municipality, and may take days to weeks depending on the activity type and the municipality concerned.

How is a commercial license renewed on Balady?

Renewal steps: (1) access via the National Single Sign-On (Absher), (2) click the Services icon, (3) select the Commercial Licenses Product, (4) select the renew commercial license service, (5) click Start Service, (6) specify the establishment record and select the license, (7) pay the fees if the activity is instant, or send the request to the municipality if non-instant.

What services does Balady offer for real estate developers?

Real estate developer services include: registering and qualifying the developer with the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing, receiving infrastructure from the Communications, Space and Technology Commission, issuing commercial building permits, technical reports required for construction projects, and other specialized services for the real estate sector.

Is Balady's integration with the Saudi Business Center mandatory?

Yes, the commercial registration issued from the Saudi Business Center (business.sa) is a prerequisite for issuing a commercial activity license from Balady. A municipal license cannot be obtained for a commercial activity without an active commercial registration. The correct order: commercial registration first, then Balady license.

How can I contact Balady customer service?

Official contact channels: Municipal Communications Call Center at 940, or Balady's unified number 199040. The official contact form is also available at balady.gov.sa/ar/help-and-support/contact-us, or you can follow the official accounts of the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing.

When Do You Need Specialized Help with Balady Procedures?

Obtaining a Balady license, especially for high-risk activities or foreign companies, requires a precise understanding of instant-issuance conditions, building compliance with municipal requirements, coordination with Civil Defense for safety certificates, and preparing all documents in the format required by the municipality. Any error in data entry or missing documents leads to rejection of the request and re-payment of fees.

Companies and foreign investors commonly face recurring challenges in:

• Preparing the building to comply with the requirements of the activity type (office, warehouse, factory, workshop).
• Coordinating with Civil Defense to obtain safety certificates before applying on Balady.
• Documenting the lease contract on the Ejar platform in the required format.
• Preparing the waste contract for activities that require it.
• Following up on the municipality inspector's visit for non-instant activities.
• Renewing licenses on time to avoid late penalties.
• Providing the authorized manager for foreign companies without a manager holding Saudi residency.

Book a Free Consultation with the Motaded Team

Motaded Limited provides complete Balady platform management services for companies and foreign investors in Saudi Arabia, including: issuing commercial activity licenses, license renewal, data modifications, coordination with Civil Defense, lease contract documentation, providing the authorized manager, and following up on all municipal transactions. Reach out at info@motaded.com.sa or book a meeting to learn how we can accelerate obtaining your municipal license and protect your company from late penalties.

Official link: balady.gov.sa | Fees Calculator: apps.balady.gov.sa/Eservices/FeesCalculator | SADAD biller code: 177 | Unified number: 199040