Dubai eases villa construction rules for Emiratis under Home First initiative

Dubai Municipality has introduced new regulations allowing Emirati homeowners greater flexibility to expand their villas, build second homes for family members and add residential annexes. The changes, introduced under the Home First initiative, include allowing homeowners to reduce building setbacks to 1.5 metres, construct a second floor covering the full area of the first floor and build a separate villa for family use. The municipality has set conditions governing the changes, including a minimum age of 18 for beneficiaries of a second villa and written consent from neighbours where construction removes the required setback along a shared boundary. The regulations also set limits on the height, size and location of family accommodation and service annexes, while prohibiting the construction of certain structures before the main villa is completed. Emirati homeowners may reduce setbacks to 1.5 metres on all sides of their properties without additional conditions. The revised rules also allow a second floor to cover 100 per cent of the first-floor area without additional restrictions. For second villas, applications must be intended to accommodate first-degree relatives or meet social needs, and homeowners must sign an undertaking confirming exclusive private family use.