Picture for illustrative purposes only. EXPAT MEDIA

Dubai Municipality (DM) has issued stern warnings to consultancy firms found exaggerating structural designs for UAE citizens’ villas, a practice that has led to inflated construction costs without any proven engineering need. Officials said that the violations breach the requirements of the Dubai Building Code (DBC), which was introduced in 2021 to unify design standards and ensure minimum requirements for health, safety, and sustainability. “Compliance with the Dubai Building Code is a professional and ethical responsibility before being a regulatory obligation,” said Maryam Al Muhairi, CEO of the Buildings Regulation and Permits Agency at Dubai Municipality. She added, “Its objective is to strike a balance between construction quality and reduced costs. We remain committed to monitoring the practices of consultancy offices and contractors to ensure compliance with approved requirements, limiting excessive use of construction materials — including steel — and preventing citizens from bearing unjustified additional costs.” The civic body confirmed that repeated violations will negatively impact an office’s annual evaluation and may result in disciplinary measures under applicable laws. Earlier this year, two consultancy firms were suspended and barred from licensing new projects for six months after breaching regulations and professional ethics. By reinforcing compliance with the DBC, DM said it aims to reduce waste, lower costs for property owners, and strengthen Dubai’s leadership in sustainable urban development. ICA/Expat Media
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