Overview
Any business with physical premises — a shop, restaurant, warehouse, office or factory — needs a municipal licence alongside its commercial registration. And the licence is not a formality: it is issued after verifying the site meets the technical, health and civil defence requirements specific to your activity.
What most often derails owners is discovering the site does not comply after signing the lease: insufficient area, a required emergency exit that does not exist, or an activity not permitted in that zone. These are expensive mistakes because they arrive after you are committed to rent.
Rapture handles municipality services end to end: site compliance checks before you commit where possible, issuing and renewing municipal licences, signage permits and building permits — through the Baladi platform with direct follow-up at the relevant city authority.
Who is this service for?
- Owners of shops, restaurants and commercial premises
- Companies opening a new branch needing its municipal licence
- Establishments needing a signage or shopfront permit
- Anyone needing a building permit or alteration to existing premises
Required documents
- Commercial registration including the relevant activity
- Lease contract documented on the Ejar platform
- Site sketch or layout plan
- Civil defence safety certificate
- National address for the establishment
- Health certificates for staff (for food activities)
How the process works
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Identify the service and requirements
We determine the licence your activity requires and review the technical, health and civil defence requirements that apply to it.
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Check site compliance
We assess the site against requirements — area, exits, ventilation, and whether the activity is permitted in that zone — before filing, to avoid rejection.
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File through the Baladi platform
We submit through Baladi with the required documents and manage any site inspection the activity calls for.
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Licence issuance and monitoring
We collect and deliver the licence, and add its renewal date to our tracking schedule to avoid fines and closure orders.
Expected turnaround
Three days to three weeks depending on the activity and whether a site inspection or additional approvals are required.
Frequently asked questions
Does every business need a municipal licence?
Every business with physical premises does. Activities conducted without premises open to the public may have different requirements. We review your activity and clarify what applies.
What are the most common reasons for refusal?
Site non-compliance with technical requirements, a missing civil defence safety certificate, an undocumented lease, or the activity not being permitted in that zone.
Do I need a separate permit for signage?
Yes. Signs and shopfront advertising require an independent permit from the city authority with defined size and content specifications. Installing signage without a permit risks a fine and removal.
What happens if the municipal licence expires?
Fines apply and a closure order may be issued until renewal. We recommend renewing a month before expiry to avoid any interruption to operations.