H.H. Sheikh Mohammed issues law on building safety in Dubai

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has established a law to ensure the quality, safety, and sustainability of buildings in the Emirate.

Issued as Law No. (3) of 2026, its provisions will apply to all buildings across Dubai, including those in private development zones and free zones, regardless of whether they were built before or after enactment.

The law seeks to ensure regular maintenance and support the safe operation of all systems, alongside enhancing occupant comfort, reducing accidents, protecting lives and property, and preserving the emirate’s urban identity.

Dubai Municipality will be responsible for ensuring building safety and quality by developing a digital management system, maintaining a unified building database, conducting periodic assessments, setting standards for sustainability, and implementing measures and procedures to safeguard buildings, lives, and property.

The authority will also oversee maintenance, investigate incidents, apply corrective actions, promote modern technologies, regulate materials, and manage the digital building portal.

According to the law, the owner of a building, including unit owners under Law No. (6) of 2019 on Joint Property Ownership in Dubai, must obtain a Quality and Safety Certificate after the building’s completion

Building owners will have to hire a licensed engineering office to assess the building and prepare a technical report for the Quality and Safety Certificate, carry out periodic maintenance for buildings under 20 years old, and fix any defects that threaten structural safety, lives, property, or surrounding buildings.

Owners must allow authority inspections, enable repair works, and continue maintenance even after obtaining the certificate. 

The validity of the Quality and Safety Certificate is 10 years for buildings less than 40 years old from the date of their completion certificate, and five years for buildings 40 years or older.

For cases where a building has been approved for demolition, the rules for vacating tenants set out in Law No. (26) of 2007 on "Regulating the Relationship between Landlords and Tenants in Dubai" and its amendments apply.

Tenants who vacate under this Law have priority to return to the building after reconstruction or completion of maintenance and repairs, at the same rental value agreed in their original lease, unless otherwise agreed by both parties.

Violators of the Law or its decisions face fines from AED100 to AED1,000,000, with repeat offences within two years subject to doubled fines up to AED2,000,000.

Building owners, contractors, and engineering offices must comply within one year of the Law’s effective date. The Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai may extend this deadline if necessary.

Any provisions in other laws that conflict with this Law will be annulled, with the law to be published in the Official Gazette, and will take effect 60 days after publication.