Law No. (2) of 2012
Concerning the Preservation of Public Appearance, Health, and Public Tranquility
in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi
We, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler of Abu Dhabi,
- Having reviewed Law No. (1) of 1974 regarding the reorganization of the government apparatus in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and its amending laws.
- And Law No. (2) of 1971 concerning the National Consultative Council and its amending laws.
- And Law No. (3) of 1995 concerning the preservation of the public appearance of buildings in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
- And Law No. (9) of 2007 concerning the establishment of the Department of Municipal Affairs.
- And Federal Law No. (3) of 1987 promulgating the Penal Code and its amending laws.
- And Federal Law No. (35) of 1992 promulgating the Criminal Procedure Law and its amending laws.
- And based on what was presented to the Executive Council, and its approval thereof.
Have issued the following Law:
Article (1)
In the application of the provisions of this Law, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings assigned to each of them, unless the context indicates otherwise:
| The Emirate |
The Emirate of Abu Dhabi. |
| The Department |
The Department of Municipal Affairs. |
| The Concerned Municipality |
Abu Dhabi City Municipality, Al Ain City Municipality, the Western Region Municipality, or any municipality that may be established in the future in the Emirate. |
| Public Places |
Parks, deserts, beaches, roads, and the like, regardless of any restrictions that may be imposed on them. |
| Public Health |
All aspects and causes that ensure the protection of the healthy environment in the Emirate. |
| Nuisance |
Any matter that may cause harm or annoyance to others, or trespass on private or public property or safety in a way that negatively affects a person's physical, psychological, or social well-being. This includes, but is not limited to: individual or group behavior that obstructs the freedom and sanctity of others and leads to panic, harassment, or provocation. |
| Swimming Pools |
An artificial structure, whether indoor or outdoor, equipped with controllable water pipes, used for swimming, diving, or recreational purposes, and includes public swimming pools. |
| Public Appearance |
Everything that preserves the civilized, architectural, and aesthetic aspects of public places in the Emirate, including green spaces, sidewalks, buildings and their corridors, markets, fences, and public roads, and the prohibition of actions and behaviors that deface them in any way. |
| Municipal Slaughterhouses |
Any facility approved by the competent authority for the purpose of slaughtering livestock and preparing it for human consumption in accordance with approved standard specifications. |
| Public Tranquility |
A state of peace and quiet on roads and in public places, and the tranquility that ensures the complete comfort of the public from any act that leads to noise or disturbance in any form. |
Article (2)
It is prohibited for any natural or legal person to perform any act that would disturb or harm the public appearance, health, or public tranquility of the Emirate.
Article (3)
The Chairman of the Department shall issue - after the approval of the Executive Council - the executive regulations and necessary decisions to preserve public appearance, health, and public tranquility in coordination with the relevant authorities, and shall specify the powers vested in the concerned municipalities in the following matters:
- Preserving public places.
- Reducing nuisance.
- Municipal slaughterhouses.
- Swimming pools.
- Health supervision of non-food establishments.
- Preserving public appearance.
- Use of satellite dishes.
- Advertising signs.
- Abandoned vehicles.
- Preserving walls and partitions.
- Camping and events.
- Any other matters related to public appearance, health, or public tranquility, by a decision of the Chairman of the Executive Council.
Article (4)
- The concerned municipality shall have the authority to impose the following administrative penalties:
- Warning.
- Suspension of the violating activity and seizure of the tools used.
- Removal of the violation at the violator's expense.
- Temporary suspension or revocation of the license.
- The executive regulations of this Law shall determine the rules and controls for imposing administrative penalties.
Article (5)
The fees due for services, permits, and licenses related to the application of the provisions of this Law, and the cases in which exemption may be granted, shall be issued by a decision of the Executive Council based on the proposal of the Chairman of the Department.
Article (6)
- Without prejudice to any more severe penalty stipulated in any other law, anyone who violates the provisions of this Law and the regulations and decisions issued in its implementation shall be punished with a fine of not less than (200) dirhams and not exceeding (100,000) dirhams. The court may order the temporary suspension or cancellation of the license, obliging the convicted person to remove the causes of the violation at their own expense. It may also rule to seize, confiscate, and dispose of the tools used in the violation.
- The penalty shall be doubled in the case of recidivism.
Article (7)
- Subject to the provisions of Article (2) of this Law, a schedule of violations, fines, and their corresponding administrative penalties for the matters listed in Article (3) of this Law shall be issued by a decision of the Chairman of the Department after approval by the Executive Council.
- The competent judicial officer, when drafting the report, must offer reconciliation to the violator and record this in the report.
- A violator who accepts reconciliation must pay, within a period not exceeding one month from the date the reconciliation was offered, an amount equivalent to half the value of the fine specified in the aforementioned schedule. These amounts shall be transferred to the Department of Finance.
- The criminal case shall be definitively terminated upon payment of the reconciliation amount, unless a judgment has already been issued in the case.
Article (8)
The Chairman of the Judicial Department, in agreement with the Chairman of the Department, shall issue a decision identifying the employees of the concerned municipalities who have the capacity of judicial officers for all crimes committed in violation of the provisions of this Law within their jurisdiction and related to their official duties.
Article (9)
- Law No. (3) of 1995 concerning the preservation of the public appearance of buildings in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi is hereby repealed.
- Any text or provision that contradicts or conflicts with the provisions of this Law is hereby repealed.
Article (10)
This Law shall be published in the Official Gazette and shall come into force one month after the date of its publication.
Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Ruler of Abu Dhabi |
Issued by us in Abu Dhabi
On: 15 August 2012 AD
Corresponding to: 27 Ramadan 1433 AH |