No, keeping goats in Saudi cities is prohibited under municipal and environmental laws, with enforcement tightening ahead of Vision 2030’s urban sustainability goals. The National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and the Royal Commission for Riyadh City have explicitly banned livestock in residential zones due to health, noise, and zoning violations. Violators face fines up to SAR 50,000 and forced removal under the Environmental Law (2022 amendments).
Key Regulations for Keeping Goats in the City in Saudi Arabia
- Zoning Restrictions: Municipalities (e.g., Riyadh, Jeddah) classify goat-keeping as an agricultural activity, barring it in urban areas under Municipal Law (Royal Decree M/3) and Urban Planning Regulations.
- Health and Safety Codes: The Public Health Law (2019) prohibits livestock in proximity to food establishments or residential buildings due to zoonotic disease risks (e.g., brucellosis).
- Environmental Compliance: The Environmental Law (2022) mandates permits for animal husbandry; urban goat-keeping lacks exemptions, with 2026 enforcement deadlines for municipal compliance teams.
Local authorities (e.g., Amanah in Riyadh) conduct periodic inspections, targeting unauthorized livestock. Exceptions exist only for licensed rural farms with designated buffers. Urban goat-keeping remains non-compliant, with no pathway for retroactive approval under current regulations.