Dubai Municipality has issued detailed new regulations governing shared accommodation across the emirate, identifying where this type of housing may operate and setting requirements for occupancy, bedrooms, shared facilities and property use.

Under the new framework, buildings and villas in more than 44 areas may be used for shared accommodation, with housing divided into two main categories: accommodation shared by individuals and accommodation shared by families.

Individual shared housing refers to people living together within a residential unit or room while sharing facilities such as kitchens, dining areas, bathrooms and external spaces. Family shared housing allows more than one family to live in the same residential unit, provided each family has its own separate bedroom.

Dubai Municipality has established a minimum bedroom allocation of five square metres per occupant, along with requirements governing the number of bathrooms, kitchens and other facilities that must be available based on the number of residents.

Stricter restrictions apply in several major commercial and tourist areas. Properties along roads including Sheikh Zayed Road, Jumeirah Road, Al Wasl Road and Bani Yas Road are restricted from offering individual shared accommodation, while family shared accommodation may be permitted subject to the approved requirements.

The regulations also require appropriate permits before a residential unit can be allocated for shared housing. Unauthorised structural alterations, internal partitions or additions intended to increase occupancy are prohibited unless all required approvals and permits have been obtained.

Violations of Dubai’s shared housing rules may result in fines ranging from Dh500 to Dh500,000. Repeat violations committed within one year can lead to doubled fines, subject to a maximum penalty of Dh1 million.

Authorities may also impose additional measures including suspending the activity, cancelling permits, revoking commercial licences, disconnecting services until violations are corrected or ordering the evacuation of units that fail to comply with licensing requirements.

The framework applies to new shared-accommodation properties as well as existing buildings that are converted or modified for this purpose, with owners and operators required to bring their properties into compliance within the applicable grace period.

The new regulations are intended to reduce overcrowding and unregulated residential practices while protecting residents and improving neighbourhood quality, making it important for tenants and property owners to verify zoning and permit requirements before entering into shared accommodation arrangements.