Repeat Violation Penalties Under Law 3 of 2026 Dubai

Law No. (3) of 2026 on Quality and Safety of Buildings introduces a strict escalation mechanism for repeat offenders. If a building owner, legitimate possessor, or the Jointly Owned Property Management Entity commits the same violation again within 2 years, the fine is doubled, up to a maximum of AED 2,000,000. This rule is designed to deter non-compliance with building safety standards in Dubai.

1. First violation: fine between AED 100 and AED 1,000,000 (per Article 16).
2. Repeat violation within 2 years: fine doubled, capped at AED 2,000,000.
3. The exact per-violation amounts are set by the Executive Council Chairman resolution.

The doubling of fines for repeat violations within 2 years, capped at AED 2,000,000, is a key enforcement tool under Law 3 of 2026.

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 2-year repeat window is measured from the date of the first violation. If the same violation is committed again within this period, the fine doubles. For example, the minimum fine of AED 100 would double to AED 200 on a repeat violation within two years, subject to the AED 2,000,000 cap. This escalation applies to all violations under Article 16.

For more detail, see our guide on Law 3 of 2026 Dubai Building Fines — Penalty Guide.

The law holds accountable the building owner, the legitimate possessor, or the Jointly Owned Property Management Entity (under Law No. (6) of 2019). If you manage a building in Dubai, you must ensure compliance with the Quality and Safety Certificate requirements to avoid these escalating penalties.

• Building owners
• Legitimate possessors
• Jointly Owned Property Management Entities

For more detail, see our guide on What Happens If You Don't Get a Safety Certificate in Dubai?.

The most effective way to avoid repeat fines is to achieve full compliance before the 2-year window closes. This involves obtaining the Quality and Safety Certificate for buildings 20 years or older, submitting the required Technical Report, and addressing any violations promptly. Wasleen Approvals can guide you through the entire process.

1. Determine if your building is 20 years or older (based on Completion Certificate date).
2. Hire a DM-registered Engineering Firm to prepare the Quality and Safety Certificate Technical Report.
3. Submit the Technical Report within 6 months of initial approval (extendable up to 2 years).
4. Complete any required laboratory tests from UAE-licensed, EIAC-accredited labs.
5. Obtain the Quality and Safety Certificate for buildings before the compliance deadline (1 year from effective date, extendable).

For more detail, see our guide on Law 3 of 2026 Appeal Process in Dubai — 30-Day Guide.

The repeat violation penalty is established under Article 16 of Law No. (3) of 2026. The law was issued on 27 February 2026 and comes into force 60 days after publication in the Official Gazette. Compliance is required within 1 year of the effective date, extendable. For full details, consult the Dubai Legislation Portal (dlp.dubai.gov.ae).

Note: Per-violation fine amounts are not fixed in the law itself but are delegated to a follow-up Executive Council Chairman resolution. Always re-verify current figures on the official portal.

Every effort has been made to produce an accurate and complete English version of this legislation. However, for the purpose of its interpretation and application, reference must be made to the original Arabic text. In case of conflict, the Arabic text will prevail.

You may also need these related Dubai approvals:

• Dubai Building Quality and Safety Certificate (Law No. 3 of 2026)
• Dubai Municipality Building Permit
• Dubai Civil Defense Approval
• Dubai Municipality NOC