Violations and Penalties of the Executive Regulations for the Development of Vegetation Cover and Combating Desertification

Planting invasive species

First Penalty:

1,000 SAR

Second Penalty:

4,000 SAR

Third Penalty:

10,000 SAR

Per tree or shrub

Planting in vegetation lands without a license

First Penalty:

300 SAR

Second Penalty:

1,000 SAR

Third Penalty:

5,000 SAR

Per tree or shrub

Seed broadcasting in vegetation lands without a license

First Penalty:

1,000 SAR

Second Penalty:

5,000 SAR

Third Penalty:

20,000 SAR

The violator is required to remove the violation, repair the damage, and pay compensation

Grazing camels and cattle inside rangeland reserves without a license

First Penalty:

100 SAR

Second Penalty:

150 SAR

Third Penalty:

500 SAR

Per head of livestock, according to the grazing regulation plan

Grazing sheep or goats inside rangeland reserves without a license

First Penalty:

50 SAR

Second Penalty:

100 SAR

Third Penalty:

200 SAR

Per head of livestock, according to the grazing regulation plan

Violating the granted grazing license (number or type of livestock)

First Penalty:

50 SAR

Second Penalty:

100 SAR

Third Penalty:

200 SAR

Per head of livestock, according to the grazing regulation plan

Bark stripping by livestock

First Penalty:

500 SAR

Second Penalty:

1,000 SAR

Third Penalty:

2,000 SAR

Per tree

Entry of trucks or vehicles into protected floodplains and Sandy Meadows

First Penalty:

500 SAR

Second Penalty:

1,000 SAR

Third Penalty:

2,000 SAR

Per truck, car, vehicle, or motorcycle

Entry of vehicles not included in the grazing license into rangeland reserves

First Penalty:

100 SAR

Second Penalty:

200 SAR

Third Penalty:

400 SAR

Per Truck

Entry of vehicles not included in the grazing license into rangeland reserves

First Penalty:

75 SAR

Second Penalty:

150 SAR

Third Penalty:

300 SAR

Per light-duty vehicle

Entry of vehicles not included in the grazing license into rangeland reserves

First Penalty:

50 SAR

Second Penalty:

100 SAR

Third Penalty:

200 SAR

Other vehicles and ATVs

Tampering with boundaries, signs, boards, or fences of vegetation lands

First Penalty:

1,000 SAR

Second Penalty:

2,000 SAR

Third Penalty:

5,000 SAR

The violator is required to remove the violation, repair the damage, and pay compensation

Construction or similar developments in forests or national parks without a permit

First Penalty:

5,000 SAR

Second Penalty:

10,000 SAR

Third Penalty:

20,000 SAR

The violator is required to remove the violation, repair the damage, and pay compensation

Walking and hiking in national parks in unauthorized areas

First Penalty:

50 SAR

Second Penalty:

100 SAR

Third Penalty:

200 SAR

Per person

Destroying or altering the natural condition of any facility, its furniture, or equipment, as well as any other archaeological or cultural landmarks within forests or national parks

First Penalty:

1,000 SAR

Second Penalty:

2,000 SAR

Third Penalty:

4,000 SAR

The violator is required to remove the violation, repair the damage, and pay compensation

Defacing public and natural landmarks in forests or national parks by writing, drawing, engraving, etc.

First Penalty:

100 SAR

Second Penalty:

200 SAR

Third Penalty:

400 SAR

The violator is required to remove the violation, repair the damage, and pay compensation

Leaving, disposing of, burying, or burning waste in forests or national parks outside designated areas

First Penalty:

500 SAR

Second Penalty:

1,000 SAR

Third Penalty:

2,000 SAR

The violator is required to remove the violation, repair the damage, and pay compensation

Igniting fire outside designated areas in forests or national parks, or using methods not permitted by the NCVC

First Penalty:

1,000 SAR

Second Penalty:

2,000 SAR

Third Penalty:

3,000 SAR

The specific penalties for burning trees or shrubs stipulated in the Regulation for Logging shall also apply

Damaging fixed or movable installations, cutting or damaging fences, or tampering with boundary or guidance signs in forests or national parks

First Penalty:

1,000 SAR

Second Penalty:

2,000 SAR

Third Penalty:

3,000 SAR

The violator is required to remove the violation, repair the damage, and pay compensation

Camping in forests or national parks without a license

First Penalty:

500 SAR

Second Penalty:

1,000 SAR

Third Penalty:

3,000 SAR

Per campsite / The violator is required to remove the violation, repair the damage, and pay compensation

The repeat penalties outlined in the table above shall apply to any individual who commits the same violation a second time or more, provided that at least one year has elapsed since the previous occurrence. If the same violation is repeated within one year from the date the previous penalty decision became final, the imposed penalty shall be doubled in accordance with the Executive Regulations on Violations and Penalties under Environment Law.



Violations of Local Firewood and Charcoal

Transporting local firewood

First Penalty:

5,000 SAR

Second Penalty:

10,000 SAR

Third Penalty:

16,000 SAR

Per cubic meter (1)

Selling local firewood

First Penalty:

5,000 SAR

Second Penalty:

10,000 SAR

Third Penalty:

16,000 SAR

Per cubic meter (1)

Storing local firewood

First Penalty:

5,000 SAR

Second Penalty:

10,000 SAR

Third Penalty:

16,000 SAR

Per cubic meter (1)

Transporting local charcoal

First Penalty:

5,000 SAR

Second Penalty:

10,000 SAR

Third Penalty:

16,000 SAR

Per cubic meter (1)

Selling local charcoal

First Penalty:

5,000 SAR

Second Penalty:

10,000 SAR

Third Penalty:

16,000 SAR

Per cubic meter (1)

Storing local charcoal

First Penalty:

5,000 SAR

Second Penalty:

10,000 SAR

Third Penalty:

16,000 SAR

Per cubic meter (1)

Collecting local firewood without a license

First Penalty:

5,000 SAR

Second Penalty:

10,000 SAR

Third Penalty:

16,000 SAR

Per cubic meter (1)

Using local firewood in a commercial activity (restaurants, kitchens, bakeries, etc.) in violation of Article 6

First Penalty:

10,000 SAR

Second Penalty:

20,000 SAR

Third Penalty:

32,000 SAR

Per cubic meter (1)

Using local charcoal in a commercial activity (restaurants, kitchens, bakeries, etc.) in violation of Article 6

First Penalty:

10,000 SAR

Second Penalty:

20,000 SAR

Third Penalty:

32,000 SAR

Per cubic meter (1)

Violations involving firewood and charcoal made from cut timber and tree waste from pruning and maintenance activities:

Preparing firewood or charcoal from woodcutting and tree waste without a license

First Penalty:

Warning

Second Penalty:

4,000 SAR

Third Penalty:

8,000 SAR

Transporting firewood or charcoal from woodcutting and tree waste without a license

First Penalty:

Warning

Second Penalty:

4,000 SAR

Third Penalty:

8,000 SAR

Storing firewood or charcoal from woodcutting and tree waste without a license

First Penalty:

Warning

Second Penalty:

4,000 SAR

Third Penalty:

8,000 SAR

Selling firewood or charcoal from woodcutting and tree waste without a license

First Penalty:

Warning

Second Penalty:

4,000 SAR

Third Penalty:

8,000 SAR

Violations Related to Imported Firewood and Charcoal:

Selling imported firewood without a license

First Penalty:

Warning

Second Penalty:

4,000 SAR

Third Penalty:

8,000 SAR

Storing imported firewood without a license

First Penalty:

Warning

Second Penalty:

4,000 SAR

Third Penalty:

8,000 SAR

Selling imported charcoal without a license

First Penalty:

Warning

Second Penalty:

4,000 SAR

Third Penalty:

8,000 SAR

Storing imported charcoal without a license

First Penalty:

Warning

Second Penalty:

4,000 SAR

Third Penalty:

8,000 SAR

Violations Related to the Cutting of Trees, Shrubs, Grasses, and Plants:

Cutting, uprooting, transporting, grubbing, or trading trees from vegetation lands without a license

First Penalty:

10,000 SAR

Second Penalty:

15,000 SAR

Third Penalty:

20,000 SAR

Per Tree (2)

Stripping trees of their bark, leaves, or any part thereof, or removing their soil without a license

First Penalty:

3,000 SAR

Second Penalty:

5,000 SAR

Third Penalty:

7,000 SAR

Per Tree (2)

Cutting, uprooting, transporting, grubbing, or trading shrubs from vegetation lands without a license

First Penalty:

3,000 SAR

Second Penalty:

5,000 SAR

Third Penalty:

7,000 SAR

Per Shrub (2)

Stripping shrubs of their bark, leaves, or any part thereof, or removing their soil, without a license

First Penalty:

1,000 SAR

Second Penalty:

2,000 SAR

Third Penalty:

3,000 SAR

Per Tree (2)

Burning trees or shrubs or pouring harmful substances or liquids (such as diesel) on them or their soil in a manner that causes damage

First Penalty:

10,000 SAR

Second Penalty:

15,000 SAR

Third Penalty:

20,000 SAR

Per Tree (2)

Cutting, uprooting, transporting, grubbing, or trading trees from reserves without a license

First Penalty:

20,000 SAR

Second Penalty:

30,000 SAR

Third Penalty:

40,000 SAR

Per Tree (2)

Stripping trees in reserves of their bark, leaves, or any part thereof, or removing their soil, without a license

First Penalty:

6,000 SAR

Second Penalty:

10,000 SAR

Third Penalty:

14,000 SAR

Per Tree (2)

Cutting, uprooting, transporting, grubbing, or trading shrubs from reserves without a license

First Penalty:

6,000 SAR

Second Penalty:

10,000 SAR

Third Penalty:

14,000 SAR

Per Shrub (2)

Stripping shrubs in reserves of their bark, leaves, or any part thereof, or removing their soil, without a license

First Penalty:

2,000 SAR

Second Penalty:

4,000 SAR

Third Penalty:

6,000 SAR

Per Shrub (2)

Burning trees or shrubs in reserves, or pouring substances or liquids (such as diesel) on them or their soil in a manner that causes harm

First Penalty:

20,000 SAR

Second Penalty:

30,000 SAR

Third Penalty:

40,000 SAR

Per tree or shrub (2)

The repeat penalties outlined in the table above shall apply to any individual who commits the same violation a second time or more, provided that at least one year has elapsed since the previous occurrence. If the same violation is repeated within one year from the date the last decision penalty became final, the imposed penalty shall be doubled in accordance with the Executive Regulations on Violations and Penalties under Environment Law.

(1) Or any part thereof, measured in cubic meter s. The volume is calculated by multiplying the occupied space's length, width, and height.

(2) The fine shall be doubled in cases involving perennial or rare trees and shrubs, as designated by the NCVC.



Violations Referred to Competent Judicial Authority

Violations committed for the second time or more — within one year of the prior violation — shall be referred to the competent court for adjudication and imposition of the stipulated penalties. The Public Prosecution shall undertake investigation and prosecution before the competent court.

Cutting trees in protected areas, uprooting them, transporting them, stripping their bark or leaves or any of their parts, relocating their soil or part thereof, stripping it, or trading in them without a license

Imprisonment for a period not exceeding ten (10) years

A fine not exceeding thirty (30) million SAR

Or either of the above penalties

Cutting trees from vegetation cover lands, uprooting them, transporting them, stripping their bark or leaves or any of their parts, relocating their soil or part thereof, stripping it, or trading in them without a license

Imprisonment for a period not exceeding ten (10) years

A fine not exceeding thirty (30) million SAR

Or either of the above penalties

Cutting shrubs from vegetation cover lands, uprooting them, transporting them, stripping their bark or leaves or any of their parts, relocating their soil or part thereof, stripping it, or trading in them without a license.

Imprisonment for a period not exceeding ten (10) years

A fine not exceeding thirty (30) million SAR

Or either of the above penalties

Cutting shrubs in protected areas, uprooting them, transporting them, stripping their bark or leaves or any of their parts, relocating their soil or part thereof, stripping it, or trading in them without a license

Imprisonment for a period not exceeding ten (10) years

A fine not exceeding thirty (30) million SAR

Or either of the above penalties

​​Violations and Penalties for The Executive Regulation for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification

Cultivation of invasive plants

Penalty for the First Time:

1,000 S.R

Penalty for the Second Time:

4,000 S.R

Penalty for the Third Time:

10,000 S.R

Per tree or shrub

Cultivation in vegetation cover lands without a permit

Penalty for the First Time:

300 S.R

Penalty for the Second Time:

1,000 S.R

Penalty for the Third Time:

5,000 S.R

Per tree or shrub

Scattering seeds in vegetation cover lands without a permit

Penalty for the First Time:

1,000 S.R

Penalty for the Second Time:

5,000 S.R

Penalty for the Third Time:

20,000 S.R

The violator is required to remove the violation, repair the damage, and pay compensation

Grazing camels and cows in protected rangelands without a permit

Penalty for the First Time:

100 S.R

Penalty for the Second Time:

150 S.R

Penalty for the Third Time:

500 S.R

Per head of livestock, according to the grazing management plan

Grazing sheep or goats in protected rangelands without a permit

Penalty for the First Time:

50 S.R

Penalty for the Second Time:

100 S.R

Penalty for the Third Time:

200 S.R

Per head of livestock, according to the grazing management plan

Violating the grazing permit (number or type of livestock)

Penalty for the First Time:

50 S.R

Penalty for the Second Time:

100 S.R

Penalty for the Third Time:

200 S.R

Per head of livestock, according to the grazing management plan

Grazing livestock on trees

Penalty for the First Time:

500 S.R

Penalty for the Second Time:

1,000 S.R

Penalty for the Third Time:

2,000 S.R

Per tree

Entering vehicles and cars into protected floodplains and sandy meadows

Penalty for the First Time:

500 S.R

Penalty for the Second Time:

1,000 S.R

Penalty for the Third Time:

2,000 S.R

Per truck, car, vehicle, or motorcycle

Entering vehicles not included in the grazing permit into protected rangelands

Penalty for the First Time:

75 S.R

Penalty for the Second Time:

150 S.R

Penalty for the Third Time:

300 S.R

Per light transport vehicle

Entering vehicles not included in the grazing permit into protected rangelands

Penalty for the First Time:

50 S.R

Penalty for the Second Time:

100 S.R

Penalty for the Third Time:

200 S.R

For other vehicles and motorcycles

Tampering with boundaries, signs, boards, or fences in vegetation cover lands

Penalty for the First Time:

1,000 S.R

Penalty for the Second Time:

2,000 S.R

Penalty for the Third Time:

5,000 S.R

The violator is required to remove the violation, repair the damage, and pay compensation

Camping in forests or national parks without a permit

Penalty for the First Time:

500 S.R

Penalty for the Second Time:

1,000 S.R

Penalty for the Third Time:

3,000 S.R

Per camp / The violator is required to remove the violation, repair the damage, and pay compensation

Unauthorized construction of buildings or similar structures in forests or national parks

Penalty for the First Time:

5,000 S.R

Penalty for the Second Time:

10,000 S.R

Penalty for the Third Time:

20,000 S.R

The violator is required to remove the violation, repair the damage, and pay compensation

Hiking or climbing in unauthorized areas within national parks

Penalty for the First Time:

50 S.R

Penalty for the Second Time:

100 S.R

Penalty for the Third Time:

200 S.R

Per person

Destroying or altering the natural state of any facility, its furnishings, equipment, or any other archaeological and cultural landmarks inside forests or national parks

Penalty for the First Time:

1,000 S.R

Penalty for the Second Time:

2,000 S.R

Penalty for the Third Time:

4,000 S.R

The violator is required to remove the violation, repair the damage, and pay compensation

Defacing public and natural landmarks in forests or national parks with writing, drawing, carving, or similar actions

Penalty for the First Time:

100 S.R

Penalty for the Second Time:

200 S.R

Penalty for the Third Time:

400 S.R

The violator is required to remove the violation, repair the damage, and pay compensation

Leaving, throwing, burying, or burning waste in non-designated areas in forests or national parks

Penalty for the First Time:

500 S.R

Penalty for the Second Time:

1,000 S.R

Penalty for the Third Time:

2,000 S.R

The violator is required to remove the violation, repair the damage, and pay compensation

Lighting fires in non-designated areas in forests or national parks, or using unauthorized means to light fires

Penalty for the First Time:

1,000 S.R

Penalty for the Second Time:

2,000 S.R

Penalty for the Third Time:

3,000 S.R

The violator is also subject to penalties for burning trees or shrubs as stipulated in the firewood regulations

Damaging fixed or movable installations, cutting or damaging fences, or tampering with boundary or guidance signs in forests or national parks

Penalty for the First Time:

1,000 S.R

Penalty for the Second Time:

2,000 S.R

Penalty for the Third Time:

3,000 S.R

The violator is required to remove the violation, repair the damage, and pay compensation

Violations Related to Local Charcoal and Firewood:

Transporting local firewood

Penalty for the First Time:

5,000 S.R

Penalty for the Second Time:

10,000 S.R

Penalty for the Third Time:

16,000 S.R

Per cubic meter (1)

Selling local firewood

Penalty for the First Time:

5,000 S.R

Penalty for the Second Time:

10,000 S.R

Penalty for the Third Time:

16,000 S.R

Per cubic meter (1)

Storing local firewood

Penalty for the First Time:

5,000 S.R

Penalty for the Second Time:

10,000 S.R

Penalty for the Third Time:

16,000 S.R

Per cubic meter (1)

Transporting local charcoal

Penalty for the First Time:

5,000 S.R

Penalty for the Second Time:

10,000 S.R

Penalty for the Third Time:

16,000 S.R

Per cubic meter (1)

Selling local charcoal

Penalty for the First Time:

5,000 S.R

Penalty for the Second Time:

10,000 S.R

Penalty for the Third Time:

16,000 S.R

Per cubic meter (1)

Storing local charcoal

Penalty for the First Time:

5,000 S.R

Penalty for the Second Time:

10,000 S.R

Penalty for the Third Time:

16,000 S.R

Per cubic meter (1)

Collecting local firewood without a permit

Penalty for the First Time:

5,000 S.R

Penalty for the Second Time:

10,000 S.R

Penalty for the Third Time:

16,000 S.R

Per cubic meter (1)

Using local firewood in commercial activities, such as restaurants, kitchens, bakeries, or similar, contrary to Article 6 of the regulations

Penalty for the First Time:

10,000 S.R

Penalty for the Second Time:

20,000 S.R

Penalty for the Third Time:

32,000 S.R

Per cubic meter (1)

Using local charcoal in commercial activities, such as restaurants, kitchens, bakeries, or similar, contrary to Article 6 of the regulations

Penalty for the First Time:

10,000 S.R

Penalty for the Second Time:

20,000 S.R

Penalty for the Third Time:

32,000 S.R

Per cubic meter (1)

Violations Related to Firewood and Charcoal from Wood Cutting and Tree Maintenance:

Preparing firewood or charcoal from wood cutting and tree debris without a license

Penalty for the First Time:

2,000 S.R

Penalty for the Second Time:

4,000 S.R

Penalty for the Third Time:

8,000 S.R

Transporting firewood or charcoal from wood cutting and tree debris without a license

Penalty for the First Time:

2,000 S.R

Penalty for the Second Time:

4,000 S.R

Penalty for the Third Time:

8,000 S.R

Storing firewood or charcoal from wood cutting and tree debris without a license

Penalty for the First Time:

2,000 S.R

Penalty for the Second Time:

4,000 S.R

Penalty for the Third Time:

8,000 S.R

Selling firewood or charcoal from wood cutting and tree debris without a license

Penalty for the First Time:

2,000 S.R

Penalty for the Second Time:

4,000 S.R

Penalty for the Third Time:

8,000 S.R

Per cubic meter (1)

Violations Related to Imported Firewood and Charcoal:

Selling imported firewood without a license

Penalty for the First Time:

2,000 S.R

Penalty for the Second Time:

4,000 S.R

Penalty for the Third Time:

8,000 S.R

Storing imported firewood without a license

Penalty for the First Time:

2,000 S.R

Penalty for the Second Time:

4,000 S.R

Penalty for the Third Time:

8,000 S.R

Selling imported charcoal without a license

Penalty for the First Time:

2,000 S.R

Penalty for the Second Time:

4,000 S.R

Penalty for the Third Time:

8,000 S.R

Storing imported charcoal without a license

Penalty for the First Time:

2,000 S.R

Penalty for the Second Time:

4,000 S.R

Penalty for the Third Time:

8,000 S.R

Violations Related to Cutting Trees, Shrubs, Herbs, and Plants:

Cutting, uprooting, transporting, clearing, or trading trees from vegetation cover land without a license

Penalty for the First Time:

10,000 S.R

Penalty for the Second Time:

15,000 S.R

Penalty for the Third Time:

20,000 S.R

Per tree (2)

Bark stripping of trees, leaves, or any part of them, or removing their soil without a license

Penalty for the First Time:

3,000 S.R

Penalty for the Second Time:

5,000 S.R

Penalty for the Third Time:

7,000 S.R

Per tree (2)

Cutting, uprooting, transporting, clearing, or trading shrubs from vegetation cover land without a license

Penalty for the First Time:

3,000 S.R

Penalty for the Second Time:

5,000 S.R

Penalty for the Third Time:

7,000 S.R

Per tree (2)

Bark stripping of shrubs, their bark, leaves, or any part of them, or removing their soil without a license

Penalty for the First Time:

1,000 S.R

Penalty for the Second Time:

2,000 S.R

Penalty for the Third Time:

3,000 S.R

Per tree (2)

Burning trees or shrubs, or pouring materials or liquids (e.g., diesel) on them or their soil, causing damage

Penalty for the First Time:

10,000 S.R

Penalty for the Second Time:

15,000 S.R

Penalty for the Third Time:

20,000 S.R

Per tree (2)

Cutting, uprooting, transporting, clearing, or trading trees from protected areas without a license

Penalty for the First Time:

20,000 S.R

Penalty for the Second Time:

30,000 S.R

Penalty for the Third Time:

40,000 S.R

Per tree (2)

Bark stripping of trees in protected areas of their bark, leaves, or any part of them, or removing their soil without a license

Penalty for the First Time:

6,000 S.R

Penalty for the Second Time:

10,000 S.R

Penalty for the Third Time:

14,000 S.R

Per tree (2)

Cutting, uprooting, transporting, clearing, or trading shrubs from protected areas without a license​

Penalty for the First Time:

6,000 S.R

Penalty for the Second Time:

10,000 S.R

Penalty for the Third Time:

14,000 S.R

Per tree (2)

Bark stripping in protected areas, leaves, or any part of them, or removing their soil without a license

Penalty for the First Time:

2,000 S.R

Penalty for the Second Time:

4,000 S.R

Penalty for the Third Time:

6,000 S.R

Per tree (2)

Burning trees or shrubs in protected areas or pouring harmful materials or liquids (e.g., diesel) on them, their parts, or their soil, causing damage

Penalty for the First Time:

20,000 S.R

Penalty for the Second Time:

30,000 S.R

Penalty for the Third Time:

40,000 S.R

Per tree (2)

NOTE: The repeat penalties outlined in the table above shall apply to any individual who commits the same violation for a second time or more after a period of one year from the previous violation. The penalty imposed shall be doubled if the same violation is repeated within one year from the date on which the prior penalty became final, in accordance with the provisions of the Executive Regulations for the Monitoring of Violations and the Imposition of Penalties under the Environmental Law.

(1) Or any fraction of a cubic meter (the quantity is calculated by multiplying the occupied space's length, width, and height).

(2) The fine shall be doubled for perennial and rare trees and shrubs, as determined by the NCVC .​


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