Abu Dhabi is tightening its public cleanliness regulations with updated fines, some reaching up to Dh4,000.
The Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) has announced these penalties under Administrative Decision No. (220) of 2024, which enforces Law No. (2) of 2012 for the preservation of public appearance and health.
Littering and Waste Disposal fines
Individuals caught discarding waste improperly face strict fines:
- Discarding cigarette butts outside designated bins: Dh500 for the first offense, Dh1,000 for the second, and Dh2,000 for repeat offenses.
- Throwing personal waste such as food packaging in non-designated areas: Dh500, rising to Dh2,000 for repeat offenses.
- Leaving waste in non-designated areas, including household trash: Dh1,000 for the first violation, doubling to Dh4,000 for repeat offenses.
Other public offenses and penalties
Beyond littering, the new regulations cover over 70 violations, including:
- Hanging clothes racks on balconies facing public roads: Dh500 to Dh2,000.
- Placing objects on rooftops that distort public appearance: Dh500 to Dh2,000.
- Damaging public greenery, such as picking flowers or cutting palm fronds: Dh500 to Dh2,000.
- Sleeping in public spaces: Dh500 to Dh2,000.
- Chewing gum disposal outside bins: Dh500 to Dh2,000.
Public disturbance fines
To maintain public order, penalties extend to noise disturbances and unauthorised activities:
- Spitting betel leaf (paan) or naswar remnants in public: Dh1,000 to Dh4,000.
- Posting unauthorised advertisements on vehicles, poles, or walls: Dh1,000 to Dh4,000.
- Smoking in non-designated areas: Dh500 to Dh2,000.
- Using loudspeakers or shining laser lights without permission: Dh1,000 to Dh4,000.
- Abandoning vehicles in public spaces or leaving them unclean: Dh500 to Dh2,000.
How to avoid fines
Residents and visitors can use designated waste disposal facilities to comply with regulations. Two mobile apps offer convenient recycling services:
- RECAPP: Provides free collection for plastic bottles and cans.
- Reloop: A paid service for recycling paper, glass, electronics, and clothes.
With these strict regulations, Abu Dhabi aims to maintain a cleaner, greener environment while ensuring that public spaces remain orderly and aesthetically pleasing.