Valet Parking Requirements — KSA
Valet Parking Requirements in Saudi Arabia
A clear guide by Easy Valet to the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing requirements that regulate valet parking — what valet companies, restaurants, hotels, hospitals and malls need before and while offering the service.
Based on the 1446 AH / 2024 edition
The one-minute summary
- Issued by ministerial decision of the Minister of Municipalities and Housing on 17/6/1446 AH, replacing the 1441 AH vehicle-parking services requirements.
- They apply to every licensed commercial activity offering valet parking in areas under the municipal system.
- Existing businesses get a 180-day correction period from the publication date.
- No service before obtaining a municipal license (valet companies) or a permit (businesses serving their own customers).
- The service provider signs an undertaking accepting full liability for any damage to or theft of customers’ vehicles.
- Mandatory: a drop-off point within the property, signage, a counter, security cameras, electronic payment and a receipt with date and time.
What are the valet parking requirements?
They are regulations issued by the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing to organise valet parking, aiming to encourage investment, simplify requirements for investors and users, control development and raise compliance with municipal requirements for the benefit of the urban environment.
A stated goal is enabling businesses such as restaurants, hotels and hospitals to offer valet parking to their customers lawfully and safely. Municipalities monitor compliance and penalise violations.
License or permit? Know your path
Municipal license
For valet companies providing the service to businesses
- Issuance, renewal, amendment, suspension and cancellation follow the Municipal Licensing Procedures Law and its regulations.
- Civil Defense approval before the license is issued.
- A valid commercial registration covering the activity.
- A licensed headquarters for the service provider.
Municipal permit
For a business offering valet parking to its own customers on site
- A valid commercial license including valet parking, or an additional activity under that name.
- If a third-party valet company provides the service, a copy of the contract with the business owner.
- The service provider signs an undertaking accepting full liability for any damage or theft affecting customers’ vehicles.
- A commitment to provide dedicated parking for service users before operating.
Clause 3.1
Spatial requirements
- The service provider must have a licensed headquarters, except permitted businesses serving their own customers.
- Provide private or paid parking — without reducing the parking allocated in the building permit — before operating.
- Avoid any impact on traffic while providing the service.
Clause 4.1
Technical requirements: drop-off point and counter
- A vehicle drop-off and pick-up point within the property limits — not on pedestrian sidewalks or the public road.
- A clearly visible sign indicating “Valet Parking Service”, complying with signage and advertising requirements.
- A control counter to organise the service within the site, without obstructing pedestrians.
- A counter on the sidewalk is allowed only with a sidewalk-occupancy license and without obstructing pedestrians.
Clause 5.1
General operating requirements
- Obtain the municipal license or permit before operating; no operation after it expires without renewal.
- No activity different from, or additional to, what is licensed.
- No operation outside the licensed area or on public sidewalks and setbacks, except a counter with a sidewalk-occupancy license.
- The counter front must be free of stickers except electronic-payment options, the QR code and government instructions.
- No signs or devices preventing parking in front of shops or public parking, except spaces dedicated to the activity.
- Tell the customer where the vehicle is parked.
- Use the drop-off area only for receiving and delivering vehicles — never as permanent parking.
- Give the customer a receipt proving the handover, showing the provider’s name and the date and time of receipt.
Clause 5.2
Security cameras
- Install security cameras in line with the Security Surveillance Cameras Law and its regulations.
- The provider must have access to the cameras covering its parking and ensure they work, even if they belong to another facility.
Clause 5.3
Unified QR code
- Display the unified electronic QR code on the facade or counter to show official documents such as the license, accessible outside working hours.
- The code must be intact; the documents it links to need not be printed.
Clause 5.4
Electronic payment
- Provide valid, ready-to-use electronic payment methods.
- Refusing electronic payment is prohibited.
- Display a sticker with the available electronic payment options on the counter.
Clause 5.5
Staff (valet driver) requirements
- A recent, clean criminal-record certificate.
- A valid driving license.
- Compliance with the HRSD unified workplace guide: clean, professional clothing; a work ID or the employee’s and company’s name on the uniform; personal hygiene; no smoking outside designated areas.
- Clean, intact gloves while parking vehicles; a canopy over the counter and a chair for the valet are allowed.
Chapter 6
Enforcement and appeals
- Municipalities monitor compliance and penalise violations; activity cards on the Balady platform form part of the requirements.
- License holders must also comply with other government regulations, including those of HRSD.
- Decisions can be appealed before the grievance committees of the relevant municipality under the Municipal Licensing Procedures Law and the municipal penalties regulation.
Pre-launch checklist
Use this list to check your business or company is ready:
- Valid commercial registration covering valet parking
- Valid municipal license or permit
- Civil Defense approval (for licenses)
- Contract with the valet company if it is a third party
- Signed undertaking accepting liability for damage and theft
- Private or paid parking secured before launch
- Drop-off point within the property limits
- Visible “Valet Parking Service” sign
- Counter that doesn’t obstruct pedestrians (or a sidewalk license)
- Working security cameras accessible to the provider
- Unified QR code on display
- Electronic payment and a sticker listing the options
- Receipt with name, date and time for every vehicle
- Drivers with valid licenses, clean records, uniforms and gloves
How Easy Valet helps you comply
With 10 years of valet operations, we design the service to be compliant from day one:
A digital receipt for every car
A digital ticket sent to the customer with the provider’s name and the date and time of receipt — no paper.
Electronic payment, ready
Apple Pay, Mada and credit cards, with ZATCA-compliant e-invoices.
Car location and status
Customers follow their car’s status moment by moment, from intake to delivery.
Documentation and insurance
Photo documentation of every car at intake, and comprehensive insurance of up to SAR 10 million per incident.
A professional team
Trained drivers in uniforms bearing the company name, in line with workplace requirements.
Site planning
Consulting on the drop-off point, counter and service parking without affecting pedestrians or traffic.
FAQ about valet parking requirements
Who issued the valet parking requirements?
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Municipalities and Housing, by ministerial decision dated 17/6/1446 AH, replacing the 1441 AH vehicle-parking services requirements.
Does a restaurant or hotel need a license to offer valet parking?
Yes. The business needs a municipal permit and a valid commercial license including valet parking; if it contracts a valet company, a copy of the contract is required.
Who is liable for damage or theft?
The regulations require the service provider to sign an undertaking accepting full liability for any damage or theft affecting customers’ vehicles.
Can cars be received on the sidewalk or street?
No. The drop-off point must be within the property limits; a counter on the sidewalk needs a sidewalk-occupancy license and must not obstruct pedestrians.
Is electronic payment mandatory for valet parking?
Yes. Ready-to-use electronic payment must be available, refusing it is prohibited, and a sticker listing the options must be on the counter.
How long do existing businesses have to comply?
Existing businesses get a 180-day correction period from the publication date.
What are the requirements for valet drivers?
A valid driving license, a recent clean criminal record, a professional uniform showing their or the company’s name, and clean gloves while parking.
Official reference
This guide is an educational summary by Easy Valet and does not replace the official text. For the full requirements:
Source: Ministry of Municipalities and Housing — Vehicle Parking Requirements, 1446 AH / 2024.