List of Frequently Asked Questions About White Lands
White lands are any vacant lands suitable for development and located within the urban boundary.
The urban boundary refers to the designated limits intended to accommodate urban and population activities according to approved maps.
The obligated person is the one to whom the land ownership is transferred, whether by inheritance or invoice issuance, according to official documents.
No, fencing the land is not considered development or construction, and it does not remove the land from the white-land classification.
A single invoice is issued, and the fee is calculated for each owner based on their ownership share.
Yes, the land remains white land until actual construction is completed.
Yes, fees apply unless a legal restriction prevents action.
The program is applied in Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Makkah, Madinah, Al-Ahsa, Buraidah, Unaizah, Hail, Tabuk, Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan, Taif, and others.
All vacant lands suitable for development within the urban boundary, in addition to ready properties left unused for long periods without justification.
Each owner is obligated to pay a portion of the fee proportional to their ownership share.
Development refers to completing infrastructure works, while construction means building structures based on permits (and fencing is not considered construction).
Yes, all areas owned by the same person within the same city are combined.
No, they are not subject to the fee as long as the total area is below 5,000 m².
The area is calculated based on the official area stated in the deed or approved plan within the geographic boundary.
No, unless combined with other plots belonging to the same owner within the city making the total 5,000 m² or more.
Yes, if they are suitable for development and included in the program’s decision.
A specialized technical evaluation committee approved by the minister, which issues its decisions independently.
It is evaluated based on the land’s price in the most recent official listing.
The criteria include the location, type of land use, building regulations, level of services and infrastructure, and surrounding activities that affect its value.
They are determined according to a standard list and weighted criteria approved by the ministry.
The invoice is issued after the registration period ends for the announced urban zone in the targeted cities, and then it is issued annually.
The obligated person has 60 days from the invoice issuance date to submit an objection.
Notification is made through the electronic portal, email, mobile number, and national address—all considered official methods.
The first payment order is issued after the registration period ends for the announced zone in the targeted cities, and it is then issued annually.
It stops when any condition for eligibility is no longer met, or when a legal obstacle exists, or when development/construction is completed within the payment period.
No, there is no specific regulation granting exemption; they are subject to the system like others.
No, they are not exempt and are subject to the system’s regulations.
Yes, the fees must be paid before transferring ownership if the sale occurs before development is completed.
Yes, all previous years for which the land was subject to the fee are counted and do not expire as long as payment was not made.
The payment period is one calendar year from the notification date, except previous years’ invoices which must be paid within 90 days.
This is done through the White Lands Platform by accessing the taxpayer’s account, selecting “Invoice Management,” then choosing “Request a Payment Extension” and attaching the required documents.
Yes, the fees must be paid before ownership transfer if the sale occurs before the development is completed.
Yes, all previous years for which the land was subject to the fee are included and must be paid within 90 days from notification.
There is no explicit regulation allowing installment payments, but the owner may contact the program to discuss available solutions.
Yes, payment of the fees is required before ownership transfer when the land is sold prior to development completion.
Yes, the obligated person may submit an appeal within 60 days to the committee specified in Article 7.
A financial penalty is imposed not exceeding the value of the due fees, in addition to requiring the owner to pay the full fee.
The program applies regulatory penalties and links with national systems (Efaa) to enforce collection of fees and penalties.
When the land is not registered, or payment is delayed, or the fees are not paid at all.