Saudi Arabia Approves New Regulations for Commercial Data Centers

RIYADH — The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing has approved new municipal regulations for commercial data centers as Saudi Arabia moves to strengthen its digital infrastructure and establish clearer requirements for investment in the rapidly growing sector.

The regulations are designed to streamline the establishment, development and operation of data centers through standardized requirements across the Kingdom.

The ministry said data centers play a critical role in the digital economy, serving as essential infrastructure for government and private-sector entities to manage, process and store data while ensuring the continuity and efficiency of digital services.

The regulations apply to standalone commercial data centers located within or outside urban boundaries. Sites must be easily accessible to operations and maintenance teams and have access to essential infrastructure, including electricity, telecommunications and transportation.

Facilities must also comply with approved building regulations and requirements governing parking, setbacks, building heights and landscaping, as well as regulations issued by relevant authorities.

Licensing requirements include obtaining Civil Defense approval, holding a valid commercial registration covering the activities to be licensed and securing approval from the authority supervising the activity.

The issuance, renewal, amendment, suspension and cancellation of licenses will be governed by the Municipal Licensing Procedures Law and its executive regulations.

Commercial data centers will be required to comply with the Saudi Building Code, while design and construction supervision must be carried out by accredited engineering firms.

The regulations also require compliance with relevant local and international standards covering construction and design, fire protection, cooling systems, electrical power and backup systems to enhance the reliability and continuity of data center operations.

Additional requirements cover building facades and overall appearance, lighting, flooring and ceilings, accessibility for people with disabilities, periodic maintenance, waste management and security surveillance systems.

Facilities must also display the unified electronic code that provides access to their regulatory information and documentation.

The ministry said the regulations would provide a more reliable and sustainable environment for the data center sector, encourage investment and innovation in information technology, and enable the Kingdom's digital infrastructure to keep pace with the expansion of digital services.

It said the regulations would take effect from the date of publication and urged investors and stakeholders to review and comply with the approved regulatory, technical and operational requirements.