The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing has proposed a project titled 'Mechanism for Relocating Lighting Poles from in Front of Residents’ House Entrances,' aimed at organizing the handling of cases where lighting poles obstruct the use of house entrances, ensuring safety and ease of access while maintaining the efficiency of the public lighting network in accordance with technical regulations and approved systems.

According to the project, which the ministry published on the 'Istitlaa' platform for public consultation prior to its approval, the new mechanism was developed in response to the rapid urban developments the Kingdom is witnessing and the need for a clear framework to process requests to relocate lighting poles located in front of residents’ house entrances, ensuring regulatory compliance and preserving the urban appearance in various cities.

The mechanism includes three tracks for dealing with different cases depending on the implementation stage of lighting projects.

New Plans

In the first track concerning new plans, entities responsible for designing lighting plans, whether municipalities or real estate developers, are obligated to take into account the locations of lighting poles during design, so that they are placed between land divisions and in compliance with the requirements of the Saudi Roads Code (306) and the Saudi Building Code. Municipalities are also committed to incorporating approved lighting plans into the 'Balady' platform as geospatial layers, and to educate engineering offices on the locations of approved and existing poles.

If technical or planning reasons necessitate the pole being in front of the entrance, the property owner may submit a request to relocate or change the pole’s location, attaching the approved property deed or a legal power of attorney when needed, along with a drawing showing the pole and entrance location. The requests are subject to study by the municipality or sub-municipality before a final decision is issued.

Plans Under Construction

As for the second track concerning existing plans where lighting works are still under implementation, the project requires the designing entities to consider the locations of poles relative to land divisions and existing or licensed house entrances. When submitting a request for location modification or relocation, the property deed or legal power of attorney, photos showing the lighting pole’s location relative to the entrance, and a drawing indicating the pole and entrance location must be attached.

Existing Plans

In the third track concerning existing plans where lighting works have already been implemented, the property owner may submit a request to remove or relocate the pole to the municipality, attaching the property deed or legal power of attorney, illustrative photos of the pole’s location relative to the entrance, and a drawing showing the pole and entrance location. The municipality or sub-municipality shall study the request and determine the alternative location according to the technical requirements of the Saudi Roads Code (306) and the Saudi Building Code, or explain the technical or planning reasons for rejection if not approved.