Dubai Municipality has announced the launch of the ‘Home First’ initiative aimed at enhancing housing facilities for Emirati families. This initiative aligns with the ‘Year of Community’ declared by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The ‘Home First’ initiative introduces a comprehensive set of urban planning amendments designed to strengthen family stability, promote social cohesion, and improve the quality of life for Emirati families. Additionally, it supports the Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum Family Programme, which was established by Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum, the wife of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

The programme’s goals are to strengthen family bonds, promote social values, and create a sustainable residential environment that adapts to the evolving needs of Emirati families. As part of this initiative, Dubai Municipality has updated the Dubai Building Code to provide greater flexibility in residential planning, enabling Emirati citizens to adapt their homes to better suit their social and family requirements.

Under the new regulations, Emirati homeowners can now construct a side family annex before the main villa, which can include additional living spaces such as bedrooms, living rooms, and kitchens. Homeowners can also build a separate villa for a son within their existing family property, ensuring efficient space utilization and privacy while maintaining close family ties.

Moreover, the initiative allows families to expand their villas with a complete 100% extension on the second floor. Setback regulations have been revised, reducing the minimum setback for villas to 1.5 meters, along with an additional 1.5-meter setback for rooftop floors across all construction boundaries. The updated regulations also permit service annexes to reach a height of up to eight meters across two floors, with setbacks between service annexes and the main villa removed. Townhouses can now be constructed adjacent to each other across two plots, promoting urban planning efficiency while ensuring architectural harmony.

Marwan Ahmed bin Ghalita, Acting Director General of Dubai Municipality, emphasized that the ‘Home First’ initiative reinforces the Municipality’s commitment to a flexible and sustainable urban planning framework that supports family well-being and community stability. He stated that these new allowances provide Emirati families with adaptable housing facilities that meet their evolving needs while upholding Dubai’s high architectural standards.

He further noted that the initiative aligns with the goals of the Dubai Social Agenda 33, which aims to position Dubai as the world’s best city for living, housing services, and community well-being. By implementing these measures, the Municipality aims to foster a dignified and inclusive living experience that enhances the happiness and prosperity of all citizens.

Emirati citizens are encouraged to explore the benefits of the initiative by visiting the official Dubai Municipality website for detailed information on the required documentation or by contacting their call center at 800900.