Shopping centres, small units exempted from decor licences

dubai — Dubai Municipality will exempt shopping centers and small units in the emirate from decoration licences, while a smart self-licence services were launched for big units.

Dawood Al Hajiri, director-general of Dubai Municipality, has issued a decree on the development and improvement of the procedures for licensing decoration works.

Under the decree, shops of any size in commercial centres and building units outside the commercial centres of no more than 100 square metres will be allowed to design and execute the decoration works without obtaining a licence from the Municipality’s Building Permits Department, whether for commercial, office or investment use.

However, it should be compliant with the requirements of the civil defence, and should be an independent rental unit. The move is in response to the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to facilitate business in Dubai.

“Dubai Municipality has been keen to streamline and simplify its procedures in line with the Government of Dubai’s approach on developing government services and achieving a high quality of life for UAE nationals and residents, in accordance with the Dubai 2021 Plan in general and the Municipality’s strategy in particular,” said Al Hajiri.

The decoration work should be done through a contractor approved by the municipality and should abide by the specifications, requirements and provisions of the building and planning legislation in force in the Municipality. The decoration work should be within the limits of construction units which are approved according to the licensed plans of the building. It should not include any building area that is added, cancelled, included or separated.

Dawood Al Hajiri, Director-general of Dubai Municipality