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 regarding Dubai Municipality. This legislative step aims to modernize the legal framework governing the municipality's operations and expand the effectiveness of its regulatory and service-oriented competencies, in line with the requirements of sustainable urban development and the urban and economic expansion witnessed by the Emirate.
The new law, issued today, Thursday, November 12, 2026, defines the strategic objectives of the municipality as a government entity with legal personality, tasked with responsibilities for urban planning, infrastructure development, and the preservation of the urban environment, alongside improving quality of life and enhancing Dubai's attractiveness for investment, work, and residency.
According to the new legislation, the municipality's competencies include developing an integrated system for sustainable urban planning, upgrading public facilities and green spaces, and modernizing the construction sector through the adoption of advanced technologies, as well as protecting public health, ensuring food safety, and developing waste management to support resource efficiency and enhance environmental sustainability.
Among the most notable provisions of the law is the definition of the geographical scope of Dubai Municipality's jurisdiction to include all areas of the Emirate, including special development zones and free zones, such as the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), unless specific legislation provides for the exclusion of a particular area from its jurisdiction. The law also grants the municipality powers of inspection, oversight, and verification of compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
The new legal framework allows the municipality to outsource some of its tasks and powers to public or private entities, in accordance with agreements that define the obligations, standards, and conditions governing the execution of such tasks. This provides greater flexibility in service management and partnership development, while maintaining legal and regulatory requirements.
At the administrative level, the law regulates the municipality's executive body, which includes the Director General, executive directors, and administrative and technical staff. It stipulates that the Director General shall be appointed by a decree issued by the Ruler of Dubai and shall be directly accountable to the Executive Council of the Emirate for the performance of assigned tasks.
The legislation also defines the financial resources of the municipality and the rules governing its accounts and fiscal year, and mandates that individuals and government entities cooperate with the municipality by providing the necessary information, documents, and data to exercise its competencies in accordance with the provisions of the law.
Law No. 18 of 2026 replaces the 1961 order regarding the establishment of the Dubai Municipality Council. Existing legislation, regulations, and decisions shall remain in effect to the extent that they do not conflict with the provisions of the new law, until they are replaced. The legislation is set to take effect from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.
This legislative update reflects a trend toward strengthening the integration between urban planning, institutional oversight, and public services, as part of Dubai's drive to keep pace with population and economic growth through an administrative system better equipped to respond to future needs, with a focus on sustainability, efficiency, and quality of life.
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