Decision of the Chairman of the Department of Urban Planning and Municipalities
No. (51) of 2017
Issuing the Executive Regulations of Law No. (2) of 2012
(Advertising Billboards)
The Chairman of the Department of Urban Planning and Municipalities,
- After reviewing Law No. (1) of 1974 regarding the Reorganization of the Governmental Apparatus in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and its amending laws.
- And Law No. (23) of 2007 concerning the Establishment of the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council and its amending law.
- And Law No. (2) of 2009 on the Establishment of the Department of Economic Development.
- And Law No. (2) of 2012 concerning the Preservation of Public Appearance, Health, and Public Tranquility in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
- And Law No. (13) of 2016 concerning the Establishment of the Department of Municipal Affairs and Transport.
- And Emiri Decree No. (13) of 2017 concerning the Reshaping of the Executive Council of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
- And based on what was presented to the Executive Council, and its approval thereof.
Has decided the following:
Article (1)
For the application of the provisions of this Decision, 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 Urban Planning and Municipalities. |
| The Concerned Municipality |
: Abu Dhabi City Municipality, Al Ain City Municipality, Al Dhafra Region Municipality, or any municipality that may be established in the future in the Emirate. |
| The Concerned Authorities |
: The relevant federal and local authorities. |
| The Law |
: Law No. (2) of 2012 concerning the Preservation of Public Appearance, Health, and Public Tranquility in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. |
| The Guide |
: The instructional guide issued by the Department which includes the technical standards and requirements for obtaining an advertising billboard permit. |
| The Advertising Billboard |
: Any means of displaying an advertisement through a visual expression by means of a word, name, letter, shape, design, picture, color, sign, abbreviation, or any combination of these elements with the aim of conveying and displaying information to the general public in the interest of the advertiser or any other person, whether permanently or temporarily. |
| The Social Billboard |
: A billboard for social occasions such as weddings and bereavements. |
| The Permit |
: The approval issued by the Concerned Municipality for advertising billboards on buildings, bridges, roads, and any other site in accordance with the provisions of this Decision. |
Article (2)
The provisions of this Decision shall apply to fixed, permanent, and temporary advertising billboards located on buildings specified in the Guide, and in public places and other visible areas.
Article (3)
- No person may place, display, or use any type of advertising billboard, including those specified in the Guide and any other relevant guidelines, before obtaining the necessary permit from the Concerned Municipality.
- All advertising billboards must meet the standards specified in the Guide.
Article (4)
1. A permit application shall be submitted to the Concerned Municipality according to the form prepared by it and after payment of the prescribed fees and settlement of all financial obligations, guarantees, and allowances incumbent on the operator in accordance with relevant legislation.
2. The permit application must be submitted at least fifteen (15) days before the proposed date for the start of the activity, with the exception of social billboards.
Article (5)
When evaluating a permit application, the Concerned Municipality must take into account the public interest and relevant plans, proposals, and agreements - whether at the federal or local level - that affect the proposed location of the advertising billboard, and it must comply with the conditions contained in the Guide.
Article (6)
1. The Concerned Municipality shall decide on the application by approving, rejecting, or renewing the permit in accordance with the conditions contained in the Guide.
2. The Concerned Municipality must inform the applicant of its decision within fifteen (15) days from the date of submitting the application.
Article (7)
1. The permit is valid and expires on the dates specified therein. The permit may not be assigned or transferred to any other person.
2. If the permit is issued to more than one person, these persons shall be jointly and severally responsible for implementing all conditions and requirements in accordance with the provisions of the Law and the provisions of this Decision.
Article (8)
Without prejudice to the right of the judicial enforcement officer to issue an immediate violation report according to the nature of the violation, the following procedures shall be followed:
1. A warning shall be issued to the violator to remove the violation within seven days before imposing the penalties stipulated in Article (10) of this Decision.
2. Reconciliation shall be offered to the violator in light of the provisions of the Law and this Decision, and this shall be recorded in the violation report.
3. The violator shall be notified of the decision to remove the violation at their declared address through all legal means within seven days from the date of reconciliation or the end of its period.
Article (9)
The Concerned Municipality shall take the following actions:
1. Seek the assistance of the concerned authorities through the judicial enforcement officer to remove the violation after the expiry of the period specified in the third clause of the preceding article, at the violator's expense.
2. Prepare an account of the expenses, set a due date for payment, and notify the violator thereof.
Article (10)
1. The schedule of violations and fines attached to this Decision shall be enforced.
2. In all cases, the violator is obligated to remove the causes of the violation.
Article (11)
This Decision shall be published in the Official Gazette and shall come into force on the day following its publication.
Falah Mohammed Al Ahbabi
Chairman of the Department of Urban Planning and Municipalities
Issued in Abu Dhabi:
On: 9 Rabi' Al-Thani 1439 H
Corresponding to: 27 December 2017 AD
Schedule of Violations and Fines
Annexed to the Decision of the Chairman of the Department of Urban Planning and Municipalities
No. (51) of 2017
(Advertising Billboards)
| No. |
Violation |
Fine / in AED |
| 1. |
Installing or using an advertising billboard without a permit. |
5,000
Removal of the violation |
| 2. |
A linguistic error on the advertising billboard. |
1,000 |
| 3. |
Submitting false or misleading information to the Concerned Municipality within the permit application. |
10,000 |
| 4. |
Violating the permit conditions. |
1,000
Removal of the violation |
| 5. |
Failure to comply with a correction notice. |
5,000
Removal of the violation |
| 6. |
Failure to carry out repairs after removing the advertising billboard. |
5,000
Removal of the violation |