Temporary Law No. 79 of 1966 Regulating Cities, Villages and Buildings and its amendments.

This Law, comprising 70 articles, aims to ensure the systematic organization and development of land use across the Kingdom to serve the public interest. According to Article 4, the Minister of Local Government is responsible for achieving the following key objectives (i) Public Interest and Coordination; (ii) Economic and Governmental Alignment, ensuring that land use planning is consistent with the state's economic and governmental organization plans; (iii) Social Development through the organization of all cities and villages; (iv) Oversight and Legal Compliance, monitoring local and regional planning committees; (v) Declaration of Planning Zones for towns and villages based on the recommendations of the High Planning Council. The Law establishes a hierarchical structure for planning and regulatory oversight including (i) High Planning Council, including duties such as declaring planning zones, approving regional and master plans, and hearing appeals against regional committee decisions; (ii) Central Department of Town and Village Planning: Responsible for conducting physical and social surveys, preparing regional planning schemes, and providing technical advice to local authorities; (iii) Regional Planning and Building Committees: Formed in each governorate to oversee planning at the regional level; (iv) Local Planning Committees: Typically the municipal or village council of an area, responsible for preparing detailed plans, issuing building permits, and monitoring construction to ensure compliance. Under Article 14, the Law underscores that planning must be evidence-based. Before adopting a new planning scheme or amending an existing one, authorities are required to conduct a comprehensive survey of the area, examining physical factors such as the land’s unique topography and climate to ensure environmental suitability, as well as analyzing social and economic factors—including population density, employment trends, and land ownership patterns—to ensure the plan addresses the actual needs of residents.
As for the licensing, monitoring, and enforcement regulations, the law imposes strict controls on all forms of development. Consequently, no construction, renovation, or change in land use can legally occur without a formal Building Permit. This licensing process ensures that every project complies with the specific requirements of the relevant national and local plans. The responsibility for monitoring falls on the Local Planning Committees, which are legally obligated to conduct site inspections to confirm that builders are adhering to the exact terms of their permits (Article 9).
The Law also incorporates several environmental and conservation measures, primarily through the requirements for preliminary research and the specific authorities granted to the governing bodies, such measures include (i) mandatory environmental surveys before any planning scheme to investigate climate conditions, topographical and geological conditions, and the natural wealth situation; (ii) specific mechanisms to protect the natural environment and enhance urban aesthetics, including tree preservation, the creation of public parks, gardens, and "green belts" (areas where building is permanently restricted), planning for sewage systems, waste disposal, and water services to ensure public health and environmental protection, and urban landscaping; (iii) protection of natural and historical sites.