Abu Dhabi sets strict rules for outdoor café seating and pavement use

Abu Dhabi City Municipality has reminded café, restaurant and shop owners of requirements governing outdoor seating areas and pavement occupancy. Permits must be obtained before any outdoor setup is established.

Seating must be placed on the pavement immediately adjoining the establishment, must not exceed the length of the shopfront, and must allow at least one metre of clear pavement width. Where an outdoor seating area exceeds 12 metres in length, a dedicated pedestrian access route must be provided within the seating area itself.

Establishments must maintain specific distances from surrounding infrastructure: at least eight metres from residential building entrances, three meters from electricity rooms and telecommunications towers, two metres from underground car park entrances, bus stops and emergency zones, and one-metre clearance from street-lighting columns, road signs, parking machines and fire hydrants.

Outdoor seating areas should not be fully enclosed. Movable barriers are permitted up to 1.20 metres in height and must remain easy to reposition. Parasols must stand at least 2.20 metres high, must not extend beyond authorised boundaries, and must be closed and removed during strong winds.