Riyadh: 71M sqm of white land developed or traded

The Housing Ministry said white land fee revenues supported 27 development and urban projects in Riyadh

The total area of white land in Riyadh under development or trading reached around 71 million square meters (sqm), the state-run Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported, citing the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing.

The data reflects the growing impact of the White Land and Vacant Property Fee Law in promoting urban development and improving land-use efficiency within urban boundaries.

These areas are distributed across three segments: 29 million sqm of completed developments, 20 million sqm entered trading activity, and 21 million sqm under development, enhancing the utilization of idle land and supporting an increase in urban supply in the region.

The ministry added that white land fee revenues supported 27 development and urban projects in Riyadh, strengthening municipal infrastructure and services in line with the capital’s ongoing urban growth.

According to Argaam data, the Housing Ministry issued over 60,000 white land fee invoices in Riyadh earlier this year.

In August, the ministry announced the geographic scope of the white land fees in Riyadh, determining the annual fee rates for white land (or combined white land holdings) within these zones as follows:

· First tier (highest priority): 10% of land value annually

· Second tier (high priority): 7.5% annually

· Third tier (medium priority): 5% annually

· Fourth tier (low priority): 2.5% annually

· Fifth tier (outside priority scope): no annual fee, but counted within the total white land holdings owned by the taxpayer in the city

The white land fee applies to all owners, including real estate developers, excluding state-owned properties. Land under development is granted a one-year grace period from the assessment date to complete development and cancel the invoice, with a possible extension under approved regulations. The program covers residential, residential-commercial, and commercial land in Riyadh.