Dubai Municipality to Expand Green Spaces and Enhance Urban Planning to Improve Quality of Life.
Dubai: His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has issued Law No. (18) of 2026 concerning Dubai Municipality.
The Law sets out the Municipality’s objectives, responsibilities and powers, reinforcing its role in supporting sustainable development, improving quality of life across Dubai and enhancing the emirate’s global competitiveness.
It applies to Dubai Municipality, established under the 1961 Order Establishing the Dubai Municipality Council as a government department with legal personality and the capacity to undertake all activities necessary to achieve its objectives.
Under the new legislation, Dubai Municipality will exercise its mandate and powers across the Emirate of Dubai, including special development zones and free zones such as the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). This will be subject to the Law, decisions issued under it and other applicable legislation, unless specific legal provisions exempt a zone from the Municipality’s jurisdiction.
The Law outlines the Municipality’s objectives, including developing a future-ready city that promotes quality of life, happiness and wellbeing through an integrated and sustainable urban planning system. This approach is intended to support economic growth, preserve Dubai’s urban heritage and address the needs of future cities.
Another key objective is to enhance Dubai’s urban environment by developing world-class public and recreational facilities and expanding green spaces, contributing to a better quality of life across the emirate.
The Municipality will also focus on developing infrastructure and advancing integrated waste management to support sustainable development and ensure efficient use of resources.
The legislation further seeks to advance the building and construction sector through the adoption of globally advanced technologies, while safeguarding public health, public safety and food safety in line with international best practices. These efforts aim to reinforce Dubai’s position as a leading city in which to live, work and visit.
Other objectives include strengthening private-sector partnerships, creating new economic opportunities and providing proactive, integrated services that respond to community expectations and improve wellbeing. The Municipality will also seek to build strategic partnerships and strengthen ties with government entities, cities and peer institutions worldwide.
The Law defines Dubai Municipality’s mandate and powers in achieving these objectives, including its authority to conduct oversight and inspections and verify compliance with applicable legislation.
In line with relevant legislation, the Municipality may outsource any of its functions or powers to public- or private-sector entities. Such arrangements must be governed by agreements setting out the rights and obligations of both parties, along with the conditions, requirements and standards for carrying out the outsourced responsibilities.
The Law also regulates Dubai Municipality’s executive structure, which comprises the Director General, executive directors and administrative and technical staff.
The Law also sets out the procedures for appointing the Director General and defines the role’s functions and powers. The Director General will be appointed through a decree issued by the Ruler of Dubai and will report directly to the Executive Council of Dubai on the discharge of responsibilities assigned under the Law.
It also outlines the Municipality’s financial resources and regulates its accounts and financial year in accordance with government accounting principles, standards and practices.
The legislation requires individuals and government entities to cooperate fully with Dubai Municipality and its affiliated entities, meet their requirements and provide any data, information, documents, statistics and reports they request and consider necessary to fulfil their objectives and carry out their responsibilities under the Law, related decisions and applicable Dubai legislation.
Law No. (18) of 2026 repeals the 1961 Order Establishing the Dubai Municipality Council. Any provisions in other legislation that conflict with the new Law will also be repealed to the extent of the inconsistency.
Existing legislation, regulations, local orders, decisions and bylaws governing Dubai Municipality, including those issued under the 1961 Order, will remain in force as long as they do not conflict with the new Law or other applicable Dubai legislation. They will continue to apply until replaced by new legislation, regulations, decisions or bylaws.
The Law will be published in the Official Gazette and will come into effect on the date of publication.
