Dubai Municipality has launched the ‘Home First’ initiative, aimed at enhancing housing facilities for Emirati families as part of the ‘Year of Community’ proclaimed by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE. Officially introduced on March 17, 2025, this initiative seeks to deliver comprehensive urban planning amendments to strengthen family stability, promote social values, and improve the quality of life for Emirati families.
The ‘Home First’ initiative aligns with the Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum Family Programme, led by Her Highness Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum, the wife of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. The program's goal is to fortify family bonds and create sustainable residential environments suited to the changing needs of Emirati families.
Notably, the initiative aims to offer greater flexibility within the Dubai Building Code, allowing Emirati citizens to customize their homes to suit social and family needs. Among the key features is the allowance for homeowners to build side family annexes before their main villas, creating additional living spaces such as bedrooms, kitchens, and living rooms. This new public construction policy will also enable families to construct separate villas for sons within existing family properties, thereby enhancing privacy without severing familial ties.
One of the significant changes brought about by the initiative is the provision allowing Emirati families to expand their villas with a full 100% extension on the second floor, accommodating growing family units and adapting to their diverse living arrangements.
To bolster this initiative, the minimum setback regulation for villas has been reduced to 1.5 metres. An additional setback of 1.5 metres has been introduced for rooftop floors across all construction boundaries. These new stipulations are set to optimize land use and provide additional space for residents.
There are also new allowances concerning service annexes, which can now reach heights of up to eight metres across two floors. This measure is expected to facilitate the creation of functional spaces for varied home-based activities.
On another urban planning front, townhouses can now be constructed adjacent to each other across two plots. This strategic regulation aims to improve urban planning efficiency and architectural harmony within communities, likely enhancing neighborhood aesthetics.
His Excellency Marwan Ahmed bin Ghalita, Acting Director General of Dubai Municipality, commented on the initiative, stating, “The ‘Home First’ initiative reinforces Dubai Municipality’s commitment to a flexible and sustainable urban planning framework.” He emphasized the allowance changes, adding, “These new allowances provide Emirati families with adaptable housing facilities to meet their needs.”
Dubai Municipality encourages Emirati citizens to take advantage of the benefits offered by the ‘Home First’ initiative and is inviting them to explore its features. More information can be found on the Dubai Municipality’s official website, where detailed documentation can be accessed, or by contacting their call centre at 800900.
Through efforts like these, the Dubai Municipality remains committed to improving regulations pertaining to housing services, overseeing construction activities, and strategic urban planning. These actions are part of broader endeavors to cultivate a smart, sustainable, and globally competitive construction sector, ensuring high quality of living aligned with international urban planning and sustainability standards.
