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The New Urban Communities Authority (NUCA) has issued official directives to new city authorities to resolve citizen complaints and resume processing building permits for rooftop expansions on small residential plots, including villas and apartment buildings. Rooted in Decision No. 3 of 2024 by the Main Committee for Planning and Projects, the mandate allows property owners to expand rooftop structures up to 75% of the total roof area, standardizing the approval process across new urban centers.

Regulatory Guidelines & Eligibility

To secure the expansion permits, property owners and municipal authorities must adhere to a specific regulatory and procedural framework:

Expansion Cap: Construction is permitted up to a maximum of 75% of the rooftop's total surface area, inclusive of service and utility rooms.

Property Eligibility: The ruling applies to owners who have strictly adhered to the legally licensed number of floors. Crucially, the approval also extends to properties that have successfully completed the state's building violation reconciliation process (Tasalah) for unlicensed construction, as well as those previously granted a license for an additional floor.

Unit Density Constraints: The addition of new spatial footprints remains subject to the specific unit allocation conditions established during the committee's November 13, 2024 session.

Digital Processing & Deadlines: City authorities are instructed to process all permit requests strictly electronically (online). Applications must be submitted and processed within the defined timeframe stipulated in Book No. 577 of 2026, a period that explicitly includes official public holidays.