🏛️ The Complete Guide: Issuing Your Coffee Shop License on Balady

🏛️ The Complete Guide: Issuing Your Coffee Shop License on Balady

Navigating the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs (MOMRA) portal without a map.

In the past, opening a coffee shop in Saudi Arabia meant carrying a green folder between ten different government offices. Today, the process to issue your coffee shop license on Balady is nearly 90% digital. However, one wrong click—like selecting the wrong ‘ISIC Activity’ or pinning your shop on the wrong building—can delay your opening by weeks.

This guide serves as your reference manual to navigate the Balady system. It outlines the exact screens you will see, so you can prepare your documents before you log in.

⚠️ Critical Disclaimer: Government portals update their interfaces frequently. This guide is for reference and educational purposes only. You must always visit the official Balady.gov.sa portal for the most current regulations. Do not rely solely on screenshots; ensure your data matches your official documents exactly before submitting.

Table of Contents

🖥️ Stage 1: Accessing the Balady Platform

1. Log in to the System

Visit the Balady portal and choose the “Individual” or “Business” login.
Action: Enter your National ID or Iqama Number, password, and the visual security code.

2. Verify Your Identity

Action: Enter the 4-digit verification code sent to your Absher-linked mobile phone and click “Login”.

3. Navigate to Products

Action: On the main dashboard, locate and click the button labeled “View the Products” (or “Services”).

4. Select Commercial Licenses

Action: From the list of digital services, choose the “Commercial Licenses” tile.

5. Identify the Service

Action: Click on “Issue a Commercial License”.

6. Start Application

Action: Read the service description, terms, and conditions (pay attention to the fines section). Click “Start the Service”.

👤 Stage 2: Applicant Information & Verification

1. Verify Mobile Number

Action: Enter your current mobile number and click “Verify”. You will receive an SMS confirmation code to link this application to your phone.

2. Define Status

Action: Select your role:
- Owner/Manager: If the business is under your name.
- Authorized Representative: If you are an agent with a Power of Attorney (Wakalah).

3. Retrieve CR Data

Action: Enter your Commercial Registration (CR) Number.
Click: “Display” or “Retrieve.” The system will automatically pull your business name and activity from the Ministry of Commerce.

☕ Stage 3: Defining Your Coffee Shop Activity

1. Activity Selection

Action: This is critical. Select the correct ISIC Activity Code (e.g., 5630 – Beverage serving activities).
Input: Enter the Total Space (Area) of the shop in square meters. Note: This must match your lease contract exactly.

2. Declarations

Action: You will see alerts regarding “Professional Labor” and municipal regulations. Read them and click “I Agree”.

3. Staff & Secondary Activities

Action: Specify your workforce demographics (Men, Women, or Both).
Add: Any secondary activities (e.g., “Roasting” if applicable) that complement your primary coffee shop license.

📍 Stage 4: Geographical Data & Shop Details

1. Location Selection

Action: Use the drop-down menus to select your Region (Amanah), City (Baladiyah), District, and Street.

2. Map Interaction

Action: An interactive map will appear. Zoom in and pinpoint your shop on the specific building. Click “Agree” to confirm the coordinates.

3. Shop Profile

Action: Enter the Shop Name (must match the signboard language rules), Property Number, number of floors, and number of CCTV cameras.

4. Trademark & Mall Status

Action:
- Do you have a registered trademark? (Yes/No).
- Is the shop inside a Mall? (If Yes, select the Mall Name and Floor Number).

5. Waste Management

Action: Confirm you have a contract with a certified waste management company. Enter the contract number and expiration date.

📄 Stage 5: Legal Documentation & Safety

1. Proof of Location

For Owners: Enter your Title Deed Number and date.
For Tenants: Enter your Ejar Electronic Contract Number. The system will validate this instantly. Manual contracts are rarely accepted now.

2. Signage Data

Action: Select Sign Type (Indicative or Advertising).
Input: Enter the sign dimensions in square meters (e.g., 4m x 0.8m).

3. Safety Verification (Civil Defense)

Action: Enter your Safety License Number (from Salamah) or the Safety Equipment Bill Number.
Click: “Verify” for electronic validation.

4. Upload Files

Action: Upload a clear photo of the Shop Exterior (showing the installed signboard) and the building permit if requested.

🚀 Stage 6: Submission & Fees

1. QR Code Data

Action: Confirm if the shop is “Inside a Building” or “On the Street.” This generates your National Address QR code data.

2. Contact & Workers

Action: Verify the Site Manager’s details via SMS. List your workers’ IDs and birth dates for the health certificates linkage.

3. Payments & Hours

Action: Select payment methods available (Mada, Apple Pay, Cash). Set your 24-hour status or regular working hours.

4. Fees Calculator

Action: Choose the license duration (e.g., 1 year, 2 years). Click “Calculate” to see the final municipal fee.

5. Final Review

Action: Review the “License Draft.” If all data is correct, click “Submit Request”.

💡 Technical Note: Beyond the Portal

While the Balady portal handles the paperwork, your physical shop must pass the inspection. The “SMS Notification” phase often triggers a field visit. Ensure you have:

Grease Trap: Installed under the sink.
Ventilation: Proper exhaust system for the preparation area.
Pest Control: Contract with a licensed company.
Glass Visibility: No stickers blocking the view inside (Visual Distortion rules).

🧱 The Analogy

Using Balady is like building a Digital Lego Set. You must snap every piece—the CR number, the Ejar contract, and the Safety certificate—into its specific slot. If one piece is missing or placed in the wrong spot, the final model (your license) cannot be built.

Issuing your municipal license is a major milestone, but it’s just one piece of the regulatory puzzle. To ensure you are fully compliant with Civil Defense and ZATCA rules, double-check our comprehensive Coffee Shop License Guide. Once your paperwork is officially sorted, you can finally focus on the fun part—building your brand. Return to our master roadmap on How to Start a Coffee Shop in Saudi Arabia to see what comes next in the fit-out and hiring phases.