The Department of Municipalities and Transport has introduced amendments to private villas’ building regulations, as part of a series of initiatives aimed at strengthening family and community bonds, in line with the objectives of the UAE’s Year of Community.
Under new rules, a closed, lightweight rooftop majlis can now be added without impacting land use percentage. The amendments also reduce the front setback for villas to 1.5 metres from the street and allow for a first floor, or a basement to guest annex buildings, provided it's not built against the boundary wall.
Further changes also include exempting shading structures from contributing to the building’s footprint, as well as the ability to build on the complete surface of the flat roof, as long as a 1.5-metre setback is maintained. Subject to owners’ agreement, two villas can now be placed adjacently without a separating wall.
As part of these efforts, the department has launched a campaign to inform community members about the key aspects and design options that strengthen family ties, such as offering the option to build an extra villa for parental care on private plots, implementing a family wing system within villas, and allowing flexible multi-unit arrangements within homes to accommodate for different needs.
His Excellency Abdulla Mohamed Alblooshi Acting Executive Director of the Planning and Infrastructure Sector at the DMT, said: "Through these measures, we seek to meet the needs of families in a flexible and modern way, upholding the values of social cohesion and providing a residential environment that reinforces the concept of the extended family. These policies also align with the goals of the Year of Community, which strengthens bonds while supporting the preservation of traditional values."
The initiative forms part of the department’s programmes and policies aimed at fostering a balanced, sustainable lifestyle throughout Abu Dhabi, in addition to championing society’s fundamental role in the nation’s general development.
