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Dubai Issues Law No. (18) of 2026 Modernising Municipal Regulatory Framework

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum issued Law No. (18) of 2026 concerning Dubai Municipality on November 12, 2026, replacing its original 1961 founding order. The statute defines municipal jurisdiction across the entire emirate, including free zones such as DIFC unless explicitly exempted. It also permits the outsourcing of municipal functions to private contractors and enforces corporate reporting requirements.

Published Source: Arabian Business
Issuing authority
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Jurisdiction
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Publication date
November 12, 2026
Stage
Final rule
Official document
Law No. (18) of 2026 concerning Dubai Municipality
Illustration: Editorial news photograph showing modern urban development and municipal infrastructure in Dubai under bright daylight, highlighting con
Illustration

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum issued Law No. (18) of 2026 concerning Dubai Municipality on November 12, 2026. The legislation modernises the emirate's municipal regulatory framework and officially supersedes the municipality's original founding order from 1961.

Under the new statute, Dubai Municipality's regulatory jurisdiction spans the entire emirate. This authority encompasses special development zones and free zones, including the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), unless an entity or zone is explicitly exempted.

The law additionally authorises Dubai Municipality to outsource municipal tasks and regulatory functions to private commercial entities through binding contracts. Furthermore, businesses and government entities are required to comply fully with data and reporting requests issued by municipal authorities.

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