Abu Dhabi offers discount on fines for violating general public appearance and health

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

The Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) has issued Administrative Decision No (220) of 2024 concerning the enforcement of violations, fines, and administrative penalties related to Law No (2) of 2012, concerning the preservation of public appearance, health, and tranquillity in the emirate of Abu Dhabi.

This decision also ensures the implementation of Law No (10) of 2022, which amends Law No (2) of 2012.

The new resolution authorises municipal inspectors to detect violations, notify offenders, and offer them the opportunity to settle by paying 75 per cent of the fine on the condition that the violation is corrected.

If compliance is not achieved, the municipality will rectify the violation at the violator's expense. Violators have the right to appeal within a week of the violation issuance.

Moreover, the resolution stipulates that repeating the violation will be considered an aggravating circumstance that will result in increased fines for offenders.

The same penalty applies to those who fail to remedy violations within the specified timeframe.

Furthermore, the new resolution encompasses a range of regulations addressing maintaining public appearance, preservation of public spaces, and disturbance in public spaces. It includes guidelines for camping and events, satellite dish usage, abandoned vehicles, and maintenance of walls and road signs.

The regulations for public appearance address activities that negatively affect the visual appeal of buildings and structures, such as neglecting property maintenance to the extent that it negatively impacts the public appearance or poses a threat to public safety. Other violations include installing car parking shades without a permit, improper handling of flags or banners, failing to provide appropriate waste containers in establishments and commercial premises, decoration of building facades, and inappropriate storage of materials on rooftops, balconies, or pathways between residential properties.

The regulations for public space preservation addresses violations such as the improper disposal of construction or farm waste, failure to follow road signs, damage to green areas, defacement of public properties, picking fruits or flowers, and the disposal of personal waste in non-designated areas.

Finally, the regulations on disturbances in public spaces focus on actions that negatively impact cleanliness and public health. Violations include obstructing public areas, creating excessive noise, using disruptive lighting, distributing or posting of printed materials without a permit, and smoking in unauthorised zones.

DMT emphasised that this resolution, which enforces amendments to the law on maintaining public appearance, health, and tranquility, is part of an ongoing series of legislative efforts that embody Abu Dhabi’s vision for a thriving and sustainable future.