Dubai Municipality launches the ‘Home First’ initiative for residents

Photo : Dubai Government Media Office

In line with the ‘Year of Community’, announced by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, Dubai Municipality has introduced a new initiative called ‘Home First’. This program aims to improve housing facilities and create a better living environment for Emirati families.

The initiative brings in several changes to urban planning rules and housing regulations. These changes are designed to strengthen family stability, promote social bonding, and enhance the overall quality of life for Emirati citizens.

The ‘Home First’ initiative also supports the Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum Family Programme, which was founded by Her Highness Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum, wife of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. The programme aims to strengthen family connections, promote social values, and build sustainable housing that meets the evolving needs of Emirati families.

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As part of the initiative, Dubai Municipality has introduced several updates to the Dubai Building Code, offering Emirati families more flexibility in how they design their homes. Under the new rules, homeowners are now allowed to build a side family annex before constructing the main villa. This annex can include bedrooms, living areas, and kitchens, providing more space for extended family members. In addition, families are permitted to build a separate villa for a son on the same property. This allows grown children to have their own private space while staying close to their parents, fostering stronger family bonds.

The new regulations also make it possible for families to expand their villas by adding a full second floor, allowing them to make better use of the available space. The setback rules have been revised as well. The minimum distance between a villa and its boundary has been reduced to 1.5 metres, offering more flexibility in residential construction. For rooftop floors, an extra 1.5-metre setback has been introduced across all boundaries.

Another key update is the removal of distance requirements between service annexes and the main villa. Previously, there had to be a gap between these structures, but now they can be built next to each other. Homeowners can also construct annexes up to eight metres high with two floors, providing more room for essential facilities. Furthermore, the revised regulations now allow townhouses to be built directly next to each other across two separate plots, creating a more efficient and visually consistent urban landscape.

His Excellency Marwan Ahmed bin Ghalita, Acting Director General of Dubai Municipality, emphasized that the ‘Home First’ initiative reflects the Municipality’s commitment to creating a flexible and sustainable urban planning framework. He noted that the new rules support family well-being and community stability by giving families the freedom to design adaptable homes that meet their changing needs, while preserving Dubai’s high architectural standards.

He further explained that the initiative aligns with the goals of the Dubai Social Agenda 33, which aims to make Dubai the world’s best city for living, housing services, and community well-being. By introducing these new measures, the Municipality hopes to create a more dignified and inclusive living experience that enhances the happiness and prosperity of Emirati citizens.

Dubai Municipality encourages Emirati families to explore the benefits of the ‘Home First’ initiative by visiting the Municipality’s official website. There, they can find detailed information about the required documentation and application process. Residents can also contact the Municipality’s call centre at 800900 for further assistance.

Through the ‘Home First’ initiative, Dubai Municipality is reinforcing its dedication to continuously improving construction services, regulations, and building codes. These efforts aim to support the development of a smart, sustainable, and globally competitive construction sector, ensuring the highest quality of life for residents while adhering to international urban planning and sustainability standards.