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Dubai Permits Eight-Floor Residential Buildings in Al Satwa Under New Zoning Rules

Dubai Municipality has introduced updated urban planning and zoning regulations allowing residential apartment buildings of up to eight floors in Al Satwa. The new rules update longstanding restrictions that previously limited the district mainly to low-rise attached villas. Plots of 1,000 square metres or more qualify for maximum development allowances, encouraging the consolidation of smaller adjoining plots.

Published Source: The National
Issuing authority
Dubai Municipality
Jurisdiction
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Publication date
November 1, 2026
Effective date
November 1, 2026
Stage
Final rule
Illustration: A modern construction and residential redevelopment site in Dubai with mid-rise apartment buildings under construction, cranes visible a
Illustration

Dubai Municipality introduced updated urban planning and zoning regulations on November 1, 2026, permitting the construction of residential apartment buildings up to eight floors in the Al Satwa district, according to The National.

The regulatory reform revises zoning frameworks that had restricted the centrally located neighbourhood primarily to low-rise attached villas for decades.

Under the updated rules, plots measuring 1,000 square metres or larger qualify for the highest development allowances. This structure provides a commercial incentive for property owners to merge smaller adjoining land plots.

Officials stated the policy aims to stimulate real estate development, optimise land usage, and eliminate historic growth barriers across the district, while offering property owners and construction firms greater flexibility to redevelop ageing building stock.

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