Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs has set a number of requirements for the licensing of standalone movie theaters as well as those located inside commercial complexes.

These requirements are part of the executive regulations for the licensing of standalone theaters and those located in commercial complexes.

These regulations are formulated by the ministry in coordination with the General Commission for Audiovisual Media, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Standalone movie theaters must be located within the urban area. The premises shall be built for commercial purposes. The site should be at least 100 meters away from fuel stations, gas sale outlets or other similar facilities. The distance between cinema premises and commercial complexes, factories, schools and wedding halls should not be less than 100 meters.

The entry and exit of theaters should be only from a commercial street which should be at least 35 meters away from street intersections so as not to obstruct traffic movement.

There should be one car parking area for each three seats, and of these five percent should be reserved for people with special needs.

Theaters located in commercial complexes should have entry and exit through the main entrance and exit of the complex. There should be one parking space for each five seats.

In both types of theaters, it is not permissible to arrange accommodation for the staff in the theater premises. The basement shall not be used for commercial, recreational or warehouse purposes but only for parking.

Counters for the sale of tickets, soft drinks and snacks can be installed at the specific area in the lawn of the commercial complex.

Regarding the technical requirements, the ministry emphasized that theaters shall be set up on one of the main floors of a commercial complex and there shall be prayer areas, including separate section for women, in addition to facilities for ablution.

The Saudi General Commission for Audiovisual Media on Sunday approved the law for screening and classifying content for films to be shown in cinema theaters in the Kingdom.