Law 3 of 2026 Free Zone Buildings — Dubai Guide

Yes. Law No. (3) of 2026 on the Quality and Safety of Buildings applies to all buildings in the Emirate of Dubai, including those located within free zones such as DIFC, DMCC, TECOM, and JAFZA. There is no blanket exemption for free zones; the law's scope covers every building that has reached the age threshold, regardless of its jurisdictional zone.

The law requires owners of buildings completed at least 20 years ago to obtain a Quality and Safety Certificate for buildings. This certificate confirms the building's structural integrity, fire safety, and overall compliance with updated safety standards. Free zone authorities like DIFC and DMCC are expected to align their building regulations with this law, meaning property owners in these zones must prepare for compliance.

Which Free Zones Are Affected?

• DIFC (Dubai International Financial Centre)
• DMCC (Dubai Multi Commodities Centre)
• TECOM (including Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City, etc.)
• JAFZA (Jebel Ali Free Zone)
• Other free zones across Dubai

For help obtaining your certificate, Wasleen Approvals manages the full Dubai Building Quality Safety Certificate process — from Technical Report preparation to submission and follow-up until approval.

The law was issued on 27 February 2026 and will come into force 60 days after its publication in the Official Gazette. Once effective, building owners have a compliance deadline of 1 year, which can be extended by the competent authority. This timeline is critical for free zone building owners to start their certification process early.

For buildings 40 years or older, the certificate validity is shorter (5 years) compared to 10 years for younger buildings. This means older free zone buildings will need more frequent inspections and re-certification.

For more detail, see our guide on Who Needs a Quality and Safety Certificate for buildings in Dubai?.

Violations of Law 3 of 2026 can result in fines ranging from AED 100 to AED 1,000,000. The exact amount per violation type will be set by a follow-up Executive Council Chairman resolution, but the law sets the outer statutory range. Repeat violations within 2 years double the fine, capped at AED 2,000,000.

In addition to fines, the law allows for other penalties such as suspension of licenses, demolition orders, and even imprisonment in severe cases. Free zone building owners should not assume that free zone status shields them from these penalties.

For more detail, see our guide on Jointly Owned Property & the Safety Certificate in Dubai.

The Quality and Safety Certificate for buildings is the core requirement of Law 3 of 2026. It must be obtained for any building completed at least 20 years ago. The certificate is issued based on a Technical Report prepared by a Dubai Municipality-registered engineering firm, covering structural integrity, cladding, electrical/mechanical systems, Civil Defence compliance, and CCTV/SIRA compliance.

Required Documents

1. Quality and Safety Certificate Technical Report (from DM-registered firm)
2. Completion Certificate date (must be at least 20 years old)
3. Engineering Firm classification (must match building height category)
4. Laboratory test results (from UAE-licensed, EIAC-accredited lab if testing required)
5. Ownership or possession proof (owner, possessor, or JOP management entity)

The Technical Report must be submitted within 6 months of initial approval, with an extension of up to 2 years available on request. Once the report is approved, occupants have 3 months to vacate if the building is deemed unsafe. For free zone buildings, this process is identical to mainland buildings, but coordination with the respective free zone authority may be required.

For more detail, see our guide on Dubai Law No 3 of 2026 Complete Guide — Building Quality & Safety.

Free zone building owners—whether in DIFC, DMCC, TECOM, or JAFZA—must budget for certification costs and potential remediation work. Tenants may face lease disruptions if their building is found unsafe and must be vacated. The law also requires owners to comply with maintenance standards, which could lead to increased service charges.

If a building fails to obtain the certificate, the owner may face fines up to AED 1,000,000, and the building could be subject to demolition. The demolition route requires a refundable security deposit of AED 50,000 and must be completed within a grace period of up to 1 year. This option is available for buildings that cannot be economically brought up to code.

Navigating Law 3 of 2026 can be complex, especially for free zone properties with unique jurisdictional rules. Our consultants specialize in obtaining building safety certificates across all Dubai free zones. We handle the entire process, from document preparation to liaison with Dubai Municipality and free zone authorities.

• Expert guidance for DIFC building safety certificate applications
• DMCC building certificate compliance support
• TECOM compliance audit and certification
• JAFZA building safety coordination

Contact Wasleen Approvals today to ensure your free zone building meets Law 3 of 2026 requirements and avoid hefty fines. Our team is ready to assist with your certification needs.

You may also need these related Dubai approvals:

• Dubai Building Quality and Safety Certificate (Law No. 3 of 2026)
• DIFC Approval (Dubai International Financial Centre)
• DMCC (Dubai Multi Commodities Centre) Approval
• TECOM Group Approvals