Labour Accommodation Approval in Dubai: The Rules, With the Numbers
Adding shops, clinics or a canteen to a labour accommodation in Dubai needs a Dubai Municipality permit under Administrative Resolution No. (110) of 2020. The rules are precise: a services area capped by headcount, unit sizes from 12 to 100 m², and a protected 3.7 m² for every labourer.
Dar Al Naseeb Engineering Consultants
Licensed Engineering Consultants · Dubai, UAE · Est. 2012
Total services area must not exceed 0.5 m² multiplied by the maximum number of labourers. The last column is our illustration, not a requirement.
| Maximum labourers | Total services area cap | What that could hold |
|---|---|---|
| 200 | 100 m² | One unit at the 100 m² ceiling, or several smaller units |
| 1,000 | 500 m² | A supermarket up to 232 m² plus several smaller shops |
| 5,000 | 2,500 m² | A wider mix, with each non-exempt unit at 100 m² or less |
Which Services Are Permitted
The resolution defines services as activities specified by DM, including:
- Clinics, groceries and supermarkets
- Money exchanges and ATMs
- Barbershops and laundries
- Restaurants and bakeries
- Mobile phone retailers and travel agencies
- Pedal cycle repair shops
Each still needs approvals and licences from the government entities concerned, so a permit from DM does not by itself license the operator.
The Planning Requirements in Article 4
Your drawings must show compliance with five requirements:
1. The service entrance must be private and secured, accessible to residents and outsiders
2. Services must not preclude essential services under Cabinet Resolution No. (13) of 2009
3. They must not affect the minimum 3.7 m² designated for each labourer
4. They must meet Administrative Resolution No. (66) of 2007
5. Each service must be between 12 m² and 100 m², demarcated on the plans. Restaurants follow the dining area on the approved plans, and supermarkets must not exceed 232 m²
Point 3 is the usual stopper. If rooms are already at capacity, converting space to services can push the accommodation below the minimum.
Scope, Other Rules and What Is Not Published
The resolution does not apply in Jebel Ali First Industrial Area, except for restaurants. DM audits the works and acts on violations.
Administrative Resolution No. (227) of 2022 adds related detail. Corridor projections for labour accommodation must stay within plot limits and let light and air flow through, and basements are limited to car parks, electricity or water services, pump rooms and similar uses.
DM also lists an annual permit for a common kitchen in workers' accommodation. The resolution does not state fee amounts (it refers to Regulation No. (3) of 2007), penalty amounts or permit validity. Confirm those with DM, and check federal rules with MOHRE, which sets separate standards.
Free Assessment
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Frequently Asked Questions
01What is the minimum space per worker in Dubai labour accommodation?
02How much commercial space can a labour camp have in Dubai?
03Who applies for the labour accommodation services permit?
04What size can shops be in a labour accommodation?
05Does the resolution apply in Jebel Ali?
06Is a normal apartment an approved labour accommodation?
Official Sources
Fees and procedures change without notice. Confirm any figure with the authority before you rely on it.