The municipal requirements for cafés in the Kingdom establish essential standards that café owners must adhere to, depending on the type of café, its location, and the nature of its activities. This article covers the main municipal requirements for different types of cafés, whether commercial cafés, kiosks, or cloud cafés.

Types of Cafés:

Category “A” (Commercial Cafés)

The municipal requirements for Category “A” cafés include several criteria related to location and space, including:

  • Location and Space:
    • The café must be located in a commercial area on a commercial street.
    • The café must not connect directly to residential areas or any other store.
    • If the café is inside a shopping mall, no private parking spaces are required.
  • Internal Requirements:
    • The activity license must be displayed in a prominent place.
    • Refrigerators must be provided to keep beverages cold.
    • If the café offers delivery services, it must sign a commitment to take responsibility in case of any food poisoning incidents.
    • Employees must have health certificates.

Category “B” (Traditional Cafés)

The municipal requirements for traditional cafés include additional requirements that ensure comfort and maintain a traditional atmosphere:

  • Location and Space:
  • The café must be on the ground floor.
  • It is prohibited to open a café near mosques or schools.
  • Any potential disturbances to neighbors must be avoided.
  • Internal Requirements:
  • Comfortable Arabic seating should be provided.
  • A designated area for preparing shisha (hookah) must be located away from the café’s frontage.
  • A warning sign should be placed about the risks of smoking shisha for those under 18 years old.

Municipal Requirements for Kiosk Cafés

Kiosk requirements vary based on location, whether on commercial streets, inside shopping malls, or at fuel stations:

  • Kiosks on Commercial Streets:
    • The kiosk area must be between 16 and 24 square meters.
    • A restroom specifically for the kiosk must be provided.
  • Kiosks Inside Shopping Malls:
    • Approval from the mall management is required.
    • The area should range from 6 to 16 square meters.
  • Kiosks at Fuel Stations:
    • The kiosk must be at least six meters away from fuel pumps.
    • The area of the kiosk should not exceed 16 square meters.

Municipal Requirements for Cloud Cafés

Cloud cafés have unique requirements as they exclusively offer delivery services:

  • Location and Space:
    • No parking is required if the café is located in a part of a commercial building.
  • Internal Requirements:
    • A designated area for receiving and delivering goods must be provided.
    • There should be adequate space for preparing and packaging products.

General Municipal Requirements for All Café Types

The municipality emphasizes the importance of some general requirements that ensure the safety of both customers and café staff, including:

  • Electronic Payment Device: Every café must have an electronic payment device and register for VAT.
  • Inventory and Electronic Invoicing Management: It is recommended to use accounting systems for sales management and inventory tracking, such as the “Riwaa” program, which provides integrated solutions for managing financial operations.

Conclusion

These requirements provide a general framework to ensure that cafés deliver high-quality services while prioritizing public safety and neighborhood rights. Adhering to these laws helps café owners offer a safe and appealing experience for customers, enhancing the café’s reputation and ensuring the continuity of its operations.