Dubai Issues Law No. (18) of 2026 on Its Municipality, Replacing the 1961 Order and Extending Its Mandate Across Free Zones
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, in his capacity as Ruler of Dubai, issued Law No. (18) of 2026 concerning Dubai Municipality on November 12, redefining the municipality's objectives and mandate. The Emirates News Agency (WAM) said the law strengthens the municipality's role in supporting sustainable development, enhancing quality of life across Dubai and boosting the emirate's global competitiveness.
The law applies to Dubai Municipality, established under the 1961 Order Establishing the Dubai Municipality Council, as a government department with legal personality. Under the law, Dubai Municipality will exercise its mandate and powers across the whole Emirate of Dubai, including special development zones and free zones such as the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), unless a specific legislative provision exempts a zone from its jurisdiction.
Law No. (18) of 2026 supersedes the 1961 Order, and any provision in other legislation that conflicts with the new law is repealed to the extent of the conflict. Legislation, regulations, local orders, decisions and bylaws already in force continue to apply until replacements are issued, unless they conflict with the new law or other Dubai legislation.
The law will be published in the Official Gazette and takes effect from the date of its publication.
Source: Emirates News Agency (WAM
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：迪拜滨海区天际线（资料图）。Khanshahab06 摄，CC BY-SA 4.0，经 Wikimedia Commons。 / The Dubai Marina skyline (file photo). Photo by Khanshahab06, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
