UAE: Dubai municipality has warned engineering firms to add unnecessary structural elements to increase villas costs, World News

Dubai suspended the first two engineering firms for six months, after violation of professional morality and damaging the interests/ image of the owners of the property: Dubai Municipality

The Dubai Municipality has issued a formal warning to several engineering counseling offices after highlighting the structural designs inflated to the villages of citizens. These violations, which go against the Dubai building code, have unnecessarily increased construction costs and have pushed renewed to implement compliance by authorities, ensure cost-defense and protect stakeholders in the construction sector of Emirates.

Warning on code violation in villa design

On August 26, 2025, the Dubai Municipality confirmed that it has officially warned several engineering counseling offices, which have been found engaged in professional practices associated with exaggerated structural designs for citizens villas. These practices resulted in an inappropriate cost increase without any engineering justification, violating the Dubai building code directly. This enforcement aligns with the widespread commitment of the municipality to regulate the construction area of ​​Dubai and strengthen the adherence to approved engineering standards. Violations were detected during the ongoing monitoring efforts and the previous circulars sent to all engineering counseling offices in the Emirates were followed by them of their obligation to follow the code and avoid the structural elements to avoid inflating the structural elements.“Compliance with the Dubai Building Code is a professional and moral responsibility before a regulatory obligation. It aims to balance between construction quality and low costs,” Ang said. Maryam Al Maiiri, the CEO of the Building Regulation and the agency in the Dubai Municipality.He said that to ensure compliance with municipal approved practices, there is vigilance in the supervision of counseling offices and contractors, especially about the use of construction materials such as steel, and to prevent the owners of the property to prevent improper expenses.“It ensures structural efficiency, reduces expenses without compromising safety and quality, and implements the best practices to guarantee a safe and durable environment,, Al Mairi insisted. The Dubai municipality also stated that repeat violations would affect the annual evaluation of engineering offices, with possible disciplinary functions according to the prevailing laws and regulations. Earlier in 2025, the municipality had already suspended two engineering counseling offices and prevented them from licensing new projects for six months, which broke engineering rules and professional morality after identifying professional misconduct. These works were considered harmful to both property owners and developers. Through these steps, the municipality aims to strengthen the recession of the regulatory structure, increase the competition of the construction sector, and to reduce unnecessary costs, promoting a permanent urban growth model to suit Dubai’s strategic goals.

Dubai Building Code – Framework, Purpose and Compliance

At the core of this enforcement drive is the Dubai Building Code (DBC), an integrated structure in 2021 that has been introduced to consolidate and streamline in a consistent, accessible system, more than 60 before 60. The DBC was developed by the Dubai Building Code Committee, in collaboration with major international engineering and planning firms, and Dubai acts as the foundation stone in urban planning of Dubai under the 2040 Urban Master Plan. The code designs minimum compulsory requirements in many major areas:

The DBC covers a wide scope through the general rules, structure, architecture, utilities, utility, access, indoor environment, transport, and more dedicated classes. It is adapted to the UAE’s climate and regulatory landscape, as well as attracts globally recognized standards including International Building Code (IBC), Ashrae and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Importantly, DBC allows alternative design solutions where it is appropriate, ensures flexibility without compromising compliance. DBC applies to all major players in Dubai built environment, including:

These stakeholders are expected to strictly follow the code, balance the quality of construction with cost efficiency, and contribute to Dubai’s durable, high -quality urban development approach.

Dubai Municipality-Bhoomika, Oversite and City-Building Mandate

Established by His Excellency Sheikh Rashid al -Maktoom in 1954, Dubai is the oldest government unit in the Emirates and plays a central role in shaping the daily life and long -term development of the city. Dubai municipality operates through 2 regions, 4 agencies and 37 departments, overseeing more than 800 daily operations and distributing more than 150 services. The areas of its effect expand urban development, infrastructure management, public health and environmental stability. Between many responsibilities of this, the municipality is accused:

The overroaching target of the Dubai Municipality is to make the Emirates more durable, vibrant and efficient, which aligns Dubai with leadership visions to put at the forefront of urban innovation and global competition.