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Dubai new public safety law: What residents need to know

Published

4 months ago

March 9, 2026

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A new public safety law issued by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, will come into effect on June 1, 2026, establishing a comprehensive legal framework aimed at strengthening safety standards across the emirate.

The legislation seeks to protect lives and property, reduce accidents and injuries, and ensure public services and products meet strict safety standards in line with international best practices.

Here is a breakdown of what the new law means for residents, businesses and visitors.

Who will oversee public safety in Dubai?

The law assigns Dubai Municipality, specifically its Environment, Health and Safety Agency, the responsibility of regulating and overseeing public safety across the emirate in coordination with relevant authorities.

The agency will have clearly defined powers to monitor compliance, enforce regulations and address violations.

New requirements for venues and events

Under the law, venues and event organisers must meet several safety requirements, including:

Ensuring adequate lighting and ventilation
Providing safe entry and exit points
Limiting crowd capacity to prevent overcrowding
Controlling noise levels to avoid hearing hazards

They must also install or provide:

Firefighting equipment
Emergency evacuation systems
First-aid supplies
Trained safety supervisors
Alarm systems and safety signage
A public safety management plan

Safety rules for buildings, equipment and beaches

The law also introduces safety standards for:

Maintenance work in inhabited buildings and homes
Electrical devices and equipment
Swimming pools and beaches

Property owners, operators and service providers must comply with the regulations and guidelines issued by authorities to ensure public safety.

What responsibilities do residents have?

Residents and visitors are required to follow safety procedures and guidelines in public spaces and venues. This includes:

Following safety instructions and evacuation procedures
Cooperating with public safety supervisors
Using equipment, tools and machines responsibly
Observing designated swimming hours at beaches
Avoiding restricted or staff-only areas

Handling explosives, fireworks, toxic or flammable materials without authorisation is also prohibited under the law.

Other prohibited actions

The legislation also bans several unsafe practices, including:

Placing dangerous materials in waste containers
Tampering with waste bins, sewer pipes or stormwater drains
Selling or using unsafe tools or devices that do not meet public safety standards

Products intended for human use, education or entertainment must also include clear safety instructions in both Arabic and English.

What are the penalties for violations?

Anyone who violates the law or related regulations may face fines ranging from Dh500 to Dh1 million. Repeat offences within one year could result in fines of up to Dh2 million.

Authorities designated by Dubai Municipality will have judicial enforcement powers to document violations, issue reports and involve the police when necessary.

Can people appeal penalties?

The law allows affected individuals or entities to submit a written appeal within 10 working days after being notified of a decision or penalty.

Appeals will be reviewed by a committee appointed by the municipality, with a final decision issued within 30 days.

When will the law take effect?

The new public safety law will take effect on June 1, 2026. Entities affected by the legislation will have two years to comply, with a possible one-time extension approved by the Executive Council of Dubai based on recommendations from Dubai Municipality.

Related Topics:communitysafety Dubai DubaiEvents DubaiLaw dubaimunicipality DubaiResidents PublicSafety SafetyStandards uaelaw UAEnews UAEregulations

Michael Gomes

With over 35 years of experience in journalism, copywriting, and PR, Michael Gomes is a seasoned media professional deeply rooted in the UAE’s print and digital landscape.

News

Want a free taxi ride in Dubai? Here’s how to book the new autonomous cab

Published

8 hours ago

July 15, 2026

Michael Gomes

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Dubai residents can now experience the future of transport with free autonomous taxi rides in parts of Jumeirah and Umm Suqeim.

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has started public operations of its driverless taxi service in partnership with Apollo Go and autonomous driving technology company WeRide.

Passengers can book the vehicles through the Uber or Apollo Go mobile apps at no cost during the current trial phase.

Announcing the launch on social media, the RTA said: “Your next ride could be autonomous, and it’s currently free.”

The rollout follows the introduction of Dubai’s commercial autonomous taxi programme earlier this year, which began with a fleet of 100 driverless vehicles. The fleet is expected to expand gradually as demand grows.

The initiative forms part of the Dubai Self-Driving Transport Strategy, which aims to increase the adoption of autonomous transport and reinforce the emirate’s position as a global leader in smart mobility.

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Sharjah new ticketless parking rules: How to avoid fines in Aljada

Published

8 hours ago

July 15, 2026

Michael Gomes

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Drivers visiting Sharjah’s Aljada will now pay for parking in selected areas after a new smart parking system went live on July 15.

Launched by Parkin in partnership with Arada, the system uses Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology, allowing motorists to enter and exit without tickets or barriers. Parking fees are paid digitally through Parkin’s payment channels.

Where is paid parking available?

The new system covers selected parking locations across Aljada, including:

On-street parking along East Boulevard
Designated off-street parking lots
Retail parking at The Boulevard, Tiraz, and Misk

How much does parking cost?

Parking charges vary depending on where you park:

East Boulevard (On-street parking)

Dh6.30 per hour (including VAT)
Operates 24 hours a day

Off-street parking

Dh4.20 per hour (including VAT)
Charged from 8am to midnight

Retail parking

Visitors parking at The Boulevard, Tiraz and Misk receive:

First two hours free
Dh10 per hour after the free period

What about residents?

Residents will continue using their allocated parking spaces, while any additional parking will be charged under the new tariff. Seasonal subscriptions will also be available for eligible parking areas.

The rollout marks Parkin’s first operation in Sharjah, expanding beyond Dubai as the company grows its smart parking network.

The ticketless system is designed to improve parking availability and traffic flow across Aljada, one of Sharjah’s fastest-growing mixed-use destinations, which attracts residents, students, workers and visitors throughout the day.

News

Visiting Dubai’s City Walk? Here’s What you need to know about the new ticketless parking

Published

1 day ago

July 14, 2026

Michael Gomes

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If you’ve ever fumbled for a parking ticket while leaving City Walk or queued at a payment machine, those days are over.

Dubai’s popular lifestyle destination has rolled out a barrierless, ticketless parking system, allowing motorists to drive in and out without collecting a ticket or stopping to pay before exiting.

The new system, introduced by Parkin, uses automatic number plate recognition technology to record when vehicles enter and leave the parking facility, making the entire process faster and more convenient.

How the new parking system works

Instead of paper tickets and exit barriers, cameras identify your vehicle when you enter and exit City Walk.

Parking fees are calculated automatically based on the length of your stay.

If you have a Parkin account, the fee is deducted automatically. Visitors without an account, or those with insufficient balance, will receive a payment link to complete the transaction digitally.

The move is part of Dubai’s wider shift towards smart mobility and cashless services.

Parking charges at City Walk

Visitors can still enjoy one hour of free parking at City Walk.

After the complimentary period, parking is charged at:

Dh5 per hour, or part of an hour.

For visitors heading to The Boulevard, a different tariff applies.

The first 30 minutes are free, after which parking costs Dh20 per hour. According to City Walk, these charges are automatically deducted through the visitor’s Salik account.

How to get free parking

Visitors spending Dh50 or more at participating outlets can receive up to three hours of complimentary parking.

To claim the benefit, shoppers and diners must validate their parking at the participating retailer before leaving.

Parking validation is also available for eligible visitors at attractions including Roxy Cinemas, The Green Planet and selected participating outlets.

Part of a growing smart parking network

City Walk is the latest destination to embrace ticketless parking as Dubai continues expanding digital payment solutions across the city.

Earlier, Parkin announced a five-year agreement with Al Ghurair Centre to introduce a similar smart parking system.

Under that arrangement, visitors receive three hours of complimentary parking before charges apply from Monday to Saturday, while parking remains free on Sundays and public holidays.

With barrierless parking now becoming more common across Dubai, motorists can expect quicker entry and exit, fewer queues and a smoother parking experience, without the hassle of paper tickets.