Over the years the United Arab Emirates has witnessed almost unsurpassed development and prosperity, recording comprehensive growth across all sectors,thanks to the wise and far-sighted visionary leadership of its rulers.

They have set forward a goal of sustainable growth, by decreeing that infrastructure of the highest standard is to be put in place to anticipate and drive future developments.The Abu Dhabi City Municipality was established in 1962 as the "Department of Abu Dhabi Municipality and Town Planning".

In 1969, a royal decree was issued to appoint the first municipal board for the city of Abu Dhabi, with the task of providing comprehensive services to the public and ensure proper planning of the developing city, with regularized road networks, maintenance services, sewerage, lighting works, launching the Agriculture Development Plan in the Emirate and establishing public markets in various areas.

With the ongoing growth of the Emirate, it was decided, in 2005, to merge Abu Dhabi City Municipality, Al Ain Municipality, Works Department, Agriculture and Animal Production Department of Al Ain into the Department of Municipalities and Agriculture, to create a streamlined administration and to provide a higher standard of service to the customer.

In May 2007, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and the Ruler of Abu Dhabi, issued a law establishing the Department of Municipal Affairs as an umbrella body overseeing the three administratively independent municipalities, the Abu Dhabi City Municipality, Al Ain Municipality and Western Region Municipality.

In 2016, HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, issued a Law establishing the Department of Municipal Affairs and Transport. According to the Law, the new Department replaces the Department of Municipal Affairs, and the Department of Transport.