New villa construction rules to boost Abu Dhabi market

Loosened regulations to lower building costs, among other benefits to landowners

Newly issued regulations governing the construction of private villas in Abu Dhabi are expected to reduce costs for landowners and expedite turnover of housing developments, The National reports.

The Department of Urban Planning and Municipalities (DPM) has reduced the minimum required sizes for villa bedrooms, kitchens, dining areas, and majlis or seating spaces. The new regulations have also scrapped a requirement for builders to construct a hallway in new villa structures.

“The legislation will lower building costs for landowners, providing practical and modern solutions that can be easily applied, speeding up the delivery of housing projects and improving quality of life for residents,” said Mohamed Al Ahmed, executive director of the strategic affairs sector at the DPM.

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“Compliance with the legislation will help stimulate business, investment, community development and enhance lifestyle, while increasing the emirate’s competitiveness,” he added.

In addition to the foregoing rules, the DPM has reduced the maximum height requirement for side fences between villas from six metres to four metres. The rules have also been loosened insofar as to permit landowners to build extensions to properties overlooking a street.

“This is in response to feedback from landowners requesting for more flexible spatial requirements,” DPM explained.