Dubai Law No. 14 of 2025 requires engineering consultancy offices to hold a valid trade licence and an annual registration with Dubai Municipality before they practise or hold themselves out as consultants. It took effect in April 2026, applies across Dubai including free zones, and gives existing offices one year to comply. Fines run up to AED 100,000.
What the law requires
- A valid trade licence plus registration in Dubai Municipality's official register.
- Registration lasts one year and must be renewed annually.
- No one may hold themselves out as providing engineering consultancy without the licence and registration.
- It covers architecture, civil, electrical, electronic, mechanical, mining, geoengineering, coastal, petroleum and chemical engineering.
- It repeals Local Order No. 89 of 1994.
Types of office
The law defines local offices, branches of UAE or foreign offices, associate offices (a local and a foreign office together), advisory offices and audit offices.
Penalties
Fines range from AED 1,000 to AED 100,000 and can increase for repeat offences within a year. Other measures include suspending activities, downgrading the classification, deleting the office from the register and cancelling professional certificates.
Why it matters for your renovation
Most villa renovations that change layout, structure or MEP need drawings from a licensed consultant before a community NOC and a permit. Ask any consultant for their trade licence and current Dubai Municipality registration, and keep copies with your project file. See villa renovation approvals and the architects and consultants page.
Sources
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Rules change and vary by community and authority: confirm with the authority or your consultant before you start work.