Dubai has a new public safety framework, the Dubai Law No. 2/2026 on Public Safety in the Emirate of Dubai (“Law”). The Law came into force on 1 June 2026, abrogating Dubai Local Order No. 11 of 2003. The Law introduces specific requirements across public places, entertainment venues, event venues, buildings, homes, swimming pools, beaches, and products in the market and gives Dubai Municipality and the Environment, Health, and Safety Foundation (“Foundation”) significant enforcement powers.
The definitions of what qualifies as a covered venue are broad. A public place includes commercial markets, restaurants, hotels, shopping centres, parks, beaches, and shared swimming pools. Entertainment venues extend to cinemas, theatres, amusement parks, concert venues, and sports and gaming halls. Public event venues capture any location used for parties, meetings, shows, or entertainment activities of any kind.
The Law does not apply to airports or the infrastructure within them, military and security facilities, seaports, harbours, marinas, dry docks, or ship repair yards. Industrial, professional, and craft establishments and buildings are also outside scope. Buildings under construction are excluded, save for any parts already open to the public.
Accordingly, parties other than the registered title-holder may fall within the definition of Owner, depending on their rights and operational responsibilities.
Businesses should therefore review their management agreements and leases to determine how the obligations under the Law apply to them
Before opening an Entertainment Venue, an Owner must obtain a Permit from the Foundation verifying compliance with Public Safety Requirements. A fresh Permit is also needed whenever any change or modification is made that may affect public safety. There is no grace period built into this; operating without a Permit is a violation from the outset.
Owners must prepare a documented emergency plan covering overcrowding prevention, evacuation, access to safe areas, and first aid. A separate and detailed Risk Assessment study is also required, along with a report on the measures taken, which must be submitted to the Foundation. Specialist companies may be engaged to prepare the study.
All equipment and devices used in a venue must be inspected periodically by companies approved by the Municipality or the Concerned Entities, and inspection certificates must be kept on-site. Any Incident — the Law’s definition is wide enough to cover harm arising from negligence or non-compliance, not only accidents — must be reported to the Foundation within the periods specified in the Municipality’s manuals.
Owners must appoint a Public Safety Supervisor, qualified and accredited by the Foundation, for each venue. That person must be trained periodically on the equipment and devices in use. The same appointment obligation applies to occupied buildings that meet the criteria to be set by the Director-General.
For those involved in importing, supplying, or distributing products intended for public use in Dubai — toys, recreational equipment, consumer goods — Article 16(b) requires that such products be accompanied by safe-use instructions in both Arabic and English. Products that do not meet this requirement, or that fail to comply with applicable safety standards, may not lawfully be circulated in the market.
Beach operators face a dedicated set of requirements under Article 13, including obtaining permits for all activities and events (marine sports included), providing watchtowers and qualified lifeguards, posting bilingual warning signs, designating zones for marine activities separate from swimming areas, and verifying that the beach is free of hazardous materials before public access.
Fines range from AED 500 to AED 1,000,000 per violation (Article 19). Any repeat violation within one year attracts a doubled fine, subject to a ceiling of AED 2,000,000. The specific penalty schedule for each category of violation is to be issued by the Chairman of the Executive Council and has not been published at the time of this update.
Beyond fines, the Municipality may seize or destroy non-compliant products and may close a venue, wholly or partially, until a violation is remedied (Article 20). Where a violator fails to correct the causes of a violation within the period set by the Foundation, the Municipality may carry out the remediation itself and recover the full cost from the violator, plus an additional 25% as an administrative charge. The Municipality’s determination of those costs is final (Article 21).
That allocation is directly relevant to how liability is structured in venue management agreements, hospitality contracts, and property leases. Where the Law’s definition of Owner applies to a party who is not the title-holder, the agreement between that party and the actual owner should address who carries this exposure and whether the insurance arrangements between them are adequate.
Businesses should therefore use this period to assess their current arrangements and implement the requirements applicable to their operations.
Note: This Legal Update / Newsletter is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. It is based on laws and legal interpretations in effect as of the date of publication. Laws and regulations may change over time, and their application can vary depending on individual circumstances. Readers are strongly encouraged to seek specific legal counsel before acting on any of the information provided herein.
Where the law applies
The Law covers public places, entertainment venues, public event venues, and buildings across Dubai, including Special Development Zones, free zones, and the DIFC.The definitions of what qualifies as a covered venue are broad. A public place includes commercial markets, restaurants, hotels, shopping centres, parks, beaches, and shared swimming pools. Entertainment venues extend to cinemas, theatres, amusement parks, concert venues, and sports and gaming halls. Public event venues capture any location used for parties, meetings, shows, or entertainment activities of any kind.
The Law does not apply to airports or the infrastructure within them, military and security facilities, seaports, harbours, marinas, dry docks, or ship repair yards. Industrial, professional, and craft establishments and buildings are also outside scope. Buildings under construction are excluded, save for any parts already open to the public.
Who counts as an “Owner”
The Law places its core compliance obligations on the “Owner” of a covered establishment or building. The way that term is defined is one of the more consequential aspects of the Law for businesses to understand.Accordingly, parties other than the registered title-holder may fall within the definition of Owner, depending on their rights and operational responsibilities.
Businesses should therefore review their management agreements and leases to determine how the obligations under the Law apply to them
What owners are required to do
Article 14 sets out 21 obligations on Owners of public places, entertainment venues, and public event venues. Several go beyond general good practice and require specific steps.Before opening an Entertainment Venue, an Owner must obtain a Permit from the Foundation verifying compliance with Public Safety Requirements. A fresh Permit is also needed whenever any change or modification is made that may affect public safety. There is no grace period built into this; operating without a Permit is a violation from the outset.
Owners must prepare a documented emergency plan covering overcrowding prevention, evacuation, access to safe areas, and first aid. A separate and detailed Risk Assessment study is also required, along with a report on the measures taken, which must be submitted to the Foundation. Specialist companies may be engaged to prepare the study.
All equipment and devices used in a venue must be inspected periodically by companies approved by the Municipality or the Concerned Entities, and inspection certificates must be kept on-site. Any Incident — the Law’s definition is wide enough to cover harm arising from negligence or non-compliance, not only accidents — must be reported to the Foundation within the periods specified in the Municipality’s manuals.
Owners must appoint a Public Safety Supervisor, qualified and accredited by the Foundation, for each venue. That person must be trained periodically on the equipment and devices in use. The same appointment obligation applies to occupied buildings that meet the criteria to be set by the Director-General.
Requirements to note
Swimming pools in private residential villas are within the Law’s reach. Article 11 provides that no swimming pool may be constructed anywhere in the Emirate, including in a private villa, without first obtaining the Foundation’s approval for the pool plans and design. Developers and homeowners planning to add a pool to a residential property need to factor this into their project timeline.For those involved in importing, supplying, or distributing products intended for public use in Dubai — toys, recreational equipment, consumer goods — Article 16(b) requires that such products be accompanied by safe-use instructions in both Arabic and English. Products that do not meet this requirement, or that fail to comply with applicable safety standards, may not lawfully be circulated in the market.
Beach operators face a dedicated set of requirements under Article 13, including obtaining permits for all activities and events (marine sports included), providing watchtowers and qualified lifeguards, posting bilingual warning signs, designating zones for marine activities separate from swimming areas, and verifying that the beach is free of hazardous materials before public access.
Enforcement
Municipality officials may conduct control and inspection activities at premises subject to the Law and may use devices, equipment and smart applications, including drones, subject to applicable legislation and the protections concerning private places and individual freedoms.Fines range from AED 500 to AED 1,000,000 per violation (Article 19). Any repeat violation within one year attracts a doubled fine, subject to a ceiling of AED 2,000,000. The specific penalty schedule for each category of violation is to be issued by the Chairman of the Executive Council and has not been published at the time of this update.
Beyond fines, the Municipality may seize or destroy non-compliant products and may close a venue, wholly or partially, until a violation is remedied (Article 20). Where a violator fails to correct the causes of a violation within the period set by the Foundation, the Municipality may carry out the remediation itself and recover the full cost from the violator, plus an additional 25% as an administrative charge. The Municipality’s determination of those costs is final (Article 21).
Liability
Article 25 settles a question that arises in most regulatory contexts: if the regulator approves a venue and something still goes wrong, who bears the liability to third parties? The Law is clear. Neither the Municipality nor the Concerned Entities bear any liability for damage sustained by third parties as a result of an Owner’s failure to comply with Public Safety Requirements. The Owner alone is liable.That allocation is directly relevant to how liability is structured in venue management agreements, hospitality contracts, and property leases. Where the Law’s definition of Owner applies to a party who is not the title-holder, the agreement between that party and the actual owner should address who carries this exposure and whether the insurance arrangements between them are adequate.
Key steps for businesses
With the Law already in force, the following are the most immediate priorities:- Confirm whether your operations fall within scope. The definitions of public place, entertainment venue, and public event venue are wide, and businesses that do not think of themselves as venues may still be captured.
- If you operate an Entertainment Venue, check whether a Permit from the Foundation is in place. Obtaining one is the first step if not.
- Appoint and train Public Safety Supervisors where required.
- If you supply or import consumer products for public use in Dubai, confirm that safe-use instructions in both Arabic and English are included.
- If any swimming pool construction is planned in Dubai, including at a residential property, engage the Foundation before work begins.
Businesses should therefore use this period to assess their current arrangements and implement the requirements applicable to their operations.
Note: This Legal Update / Newsletter is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. It is based on laws and legal interpretations in effect as of the date of publication. Laws and regulations may change over time, and their application can vary depending on individual circumstances. Readers are strongly encouraged to seek specific legal counsel before acting on any of the information provided herein.