Abu Dhabi City Municipality presented the latest updates on construction regulations, procedures, and systems to consultancy offices during a specialized workshop organized by the Building Licensing Department. The workshop aimed to familiarize consultancy offices with key rules and new requirements related to construction, building modifications, and associated conditions.
This workshop aligns with the Municipality’s commitment to strengthening partnerships and cooperation with consultancy offices and the Abu Dhabi construction sector while encouraging investment projects. It serves as part of the Municipality’s strategy for effective communication with stakeholders, ensuring they remain informed about the latest developments in construction regulations.
The workshop addressed several important topics, including:
• Updates on new requirements for tent installations.
• Modifications to regulations concerning public housing in Al Falah Residential Complex.
• A survey to gather feedback from participants.
• Open discussions for consultancy offices to submit inquiries and suggestions to improve procedures and enhance building licensing services.
New Requirements for Tent Installations. During the workshop, the Building Licensing Department outlined the new requirements for setting up tents, which include:
• Tents must be made of fabric, tarpaulin, or palm fronds, with optional use of glass and aluminum windows. Cement, bricks, or metal structures are not permitted.
• No internal partitions resembling guest or service annexes are allowed; such annexes must be licensed separately via the electronic building licensing system.
• Only one tent is permitted per plot, and it must be located within the plot boundaries.
• A minimum distance of 1.5 meters must be maintained between the tent and any other building, measured from the building’s protrusions.
• The maximum tent area must not exceed 100 square meters, with a total height limit of 6 meters.
• Direct doors or windows opening onto the external fence are not permitted.
• The tent must be removed upon request by the Municipality.
• A permanent fence must enclose the plot.
• If an additional majlis (guest hall) already exists on the plot, a temporary majlis (tent) cannot be licensed. For multiple units, each villa may have one guest annex and one tent.
• Licensing is granted upon the owner's request, who bears full responsibility for any consequences. The Municipality is not liable for any third-party claims.
• The owner and contractor must comply with safety regulations and ensure proper waste removal as per applicable guidelines.
Updated Regulations for Al Falah Residential Complex. The Municipality introduced new regulations for Al Falah Residential Complex to accommodate owners' needs for home expansions while maintaining urban and architectural integrity. The key requirements include:
• Compliance with the area’s approved infrastructure capacity.
• Preservation of the neighborhood’s visual and structural integrity.
• Maintenance of the area's architectural identity.
• Regulation of building expansions within plot boundaries.
The designated areas for development within Al Falah Residential Complex include (B1-B2-B3-B4-B5-B6). Modifications and expansions are permitted within these areas, provided they comply with zoning regulations, height limitations, total floor area ratio, and construction percentage.
Architectural façade regulations allow modifications to the side and rear facades of villas while preserving the existing architectural style. However, no changes to the front façade or street-facing facades are permitted, except for balcony enclosures.
Service Annexes and Majlis Regulations
• Service annexes may be built within designated development areas, following the technical guidelines for private residential construction.
• Majlis structures must be entirely within the plot boundaries in area B3, with a maximum height of 6 meters. They must match the existing villa’s architectural style, materials, and colors.
• If the majlis is built on the plot boundary, its doors and windows must align with the design and materials of the existing villa and should open inward.
Balconies and Roof Regulations
• Existing roof parapets and balcony railings cannot be raised.
• Balconies in four- and five-bedroom villas may be enclosed, but at least one emergency escape balcony must be maintained.
• The villa’s architectural design must be preserved when modifying balconies.
Garage and Parking Regulations
• Car shades within plot boundaries may be modified but must align architecturally with the existing villa in terms of materials and colors.
• Each plot must have at least two designated parking spaces.
• Garage doors and their operational components must be installed within the plot and cannot be used for any purpose other than parking.
Boundary Wall Regulations
• No modifications to existing boundary walls are allowed.
• Lightweight privacy screens up to 6 meters high may be installed, with height measured from the middle of the road level to the highest point.
• A 2-meter setback from the front boundary must be maintained for privacy screens, and they must be attached to the existing fence as per residential villa privacy screen regulations.
Roof Requirements
• All service equipment must be placed at least 2 meters away from the roof parapet, following the Municipality’s rooftop coverage guidelines.
Additional Regulations
• Basements are permitted only in area B4 and are counted toward the total floor area if used for living purposes.
• Demolishing existing villa structures or architectural elements is not allowed, except for modifications necessary to connect extensions to the existing villa.
Participant Feedback and Engagement
At the conclusion of the workshop, a general survey was conducted to gather participants' feedback on the updates to building regulations. The Municipality also encouraged attendees to share their inquiries and suggestions aimed at improving procedures and simplifying building permit issuance. The Municipality responded attentively to all suggestions, ensuring proper follow-up and review.