A ready checklist of building permit documents: title deed and ID, survey report, approved drawings, and the supervising office contract — with practical tips to prepare a complete file.
The question every owner asks when starting a building project is: what documents do I need for a building permit? A clear answer from the start saves you a lot of time, because a single missing document or an error in its details can halt the entire application until it's completed.
In this article we give you a ready, organized checklist of the basic documents usually required when applying for a residential building permit through the Balady platform, with a brief explanation of each document and why it's needed, followed by practical tips to help you prepare the file correctly. Keep in mind that requirements may vary by municipality, plot type and building use, and the engineering office is the one to confirm the current requirements for your specific case.
The title deed is the foundation of the whole file — it proves your ownership of the plot and defines its official details. It's usually required to be valid and up to date, with details that match the owner's information and the actual condition of the plot.
Some older title deeds may need updating or linking to the real estate registry before they're accepted in online procedures. Any difference between the area or boundaries stated in the deed and what exists on site also needs to be resolved before design starts. So make reviewing the deed the first step you take with the engineering office — don't leave it until after the design.
If the plot is jointly owned — by several heirs or siblings, for example — it's important to arrange the necessary approvals and powers of attorney early, as this type of file usually takes longer to prepare.
A survey report is a document issued after a land survey of the plot, defining its dimensions, side lengths, area and coordinates as they are on site. The relevant authority relies on it to confirm that the drawings you submit are based on a plot with correct dimensions.
If you already have a survey report, check that it's still valid and reflects the plot's current condition. If you don't have one, the engineering office will guide you on how to obtain it according to the municipality's current procedures.
Engineering drawings are the largest technical part of the file, and they're carefully reviewed to confirm they comply with the site's building requirements. They're prepared and submitted by an accredited engineering office, and usually include the following, with details varying by building type and municipality requirements:
More important than having these drawings is coordinating them with each other. For example, if a wall moves in the architectural plan but isn't updated in the structural plan, a conflict may appear and lead to a municipality comment. That's why many owners prefer integrated engineering plans prepared by a single team that reviews all disciplines together.
Drawings become approved once they're reviewed and accepted as part of the permit application, and they're the version construction must follow. So keep a copy after the permit is issued, hand it to the contractor and the supervising office, and don't allow any work that deviates from it without consulting the engineering office.
It's also helpful to ask the office for a simple walkthrough of the key points in the drawings before approval — like room sizes and the locations of windows and entrances — so you're sure the design truly meets your needs before it enters the official process.
Engineering supervision of construction is a requirement that current regulations emphasize, and in many cases proof of a contract with a qualified supervising engineering office is required as part of the permit process or before construction begins. Its purpose is to ensure that what's built on the plot matches the approved drawings.
It helps if the supervising office is the same office that prepared the drawings, or is in direct contact with it, since that makes it easier to understand the design and answer any questions during construction.
Preparing building permit documents isn't hard if you follow a clear order. Here are some practical tips:
At Build Plus Engineering Consultants, we start every permit project by reviewing the owner's documents before design, prepare the integrated drawings, submit them on the Balady platform and follow them through to issuance — and we offer engineering supervision for those who want to continue with us after the permit. Our office is in Riyadh's Al-Rawabi district on the Eastern Ring Road, and we serve clients in 13 cities.
Not sure your documents are complete? Book a free 15-minute consultation with a Build Plus engineer, and we'll review what you have and what your file is missing. Contact us on WhatsApp: 0503332019
In short, a building permit file rests on four pillars: title deed and ID, survey report, approved drawings, and the supervision contract. If you prepare these pillars correctly and consistently from the start, you've covered most of the road — what remains is following the application until the permit is issued.
The basics are usually similar, but some details and additional requirements may vary by municipality, plot type and building use. The engineering office will confirm the current requirements for your case.
An old title deed may need updating before it's accepted in online procedures, so it's advisable to review it with the engineering office before starting the design.
The accredited engineering office that prepared them uploads them, while the owner follows the application and approves it from their own account when needed.
In many cases, contracting a supervision office is required as part of the procedure or before construction starts, and the timing depends on the requirements in force at the time of application.
Related ServiceBuilding PermitsFrom preparing code-compliant drawings to issuing the permit via the Balady platform, we handle every step for you.
A survey report is a document that defines your plot's actual dimensions and boundaries, and both the design and the permit are based on it. Learn what it means, when you need it, and common mistakes around it.
Read Article →
A simple guide for owners on building permits through the Balady platform: what the platform is, your role and the engineering office's role, the application stages, and how to track its status step by step.
Read Article →
What determines how long a building permit takes? And why are some applications delayed? We explain the key factors, the most common municipality comments, and how to avoid them from the start.
Read Article →Your first 15 minutes of consultation with an engineer are free.
