Dubai Municipality Details Shared Housing Regulations Under Law No 4 of 2026

Dubai Municipality has published detailed conditions and standards for occupying and managing shared housing across the emirate under Law No. (4) of 2026, Emirates 24|7 reported. The law came into force in August 2026, giving property owners and establishments a one-year grace period to bring existing buildings and villas into compliance with official planning and construction standards.

The regulatory framework outlines ten key obligations for property owners, including the requirement to obtain official permits via the Dubai Buildings Platform. It strictly prohibits housing families and single individuals within the same residential unit. Furthermore, restrictions on individual shared housing have been imposed on major thoroughfares, including Sheikh Zayed, Jumeirah, Baniyas, and Al Wasl streets.

Under the guidelines, bedroom space must provide at least five square metres per occupant. A single residential unit may accommodate more than one family within the family housing category only if each family is assigned a separate bedroom with an independent internal bathroom.

For facilities, shared apartments may include internal kitchens provided the kitchen area provides at least one square metre per occupant in compliance with the Dubai Building Code. Health facilities must include at least one complete bathroom—equipped with a sink, toilet, and shower—for every four occupants across both individual and family housing. Dubai Municipality stated that the rules aim to eliminate overcrowding, mitigate safety risks, preserve urban aesthetics, and ensure equitable rental practices.