What Does Dubai Require on a Construction Project Signboard? DM Circular 11-1-1 Explained

Short answer

Dubai Municipality Circular 11-1-1 (23 August 2021) asks three things of construction sites in Dubai: the new municipality logo on project signs; a safety instructions sign at the entrance, to the municipality's model, lit, clear and readable; and the Dubai licence number of every contractor, subcontractor and consultant shown, with no unlicensed firm named. The circular's annex fixes the safety instructions sign at 70 × 130 cm for new building permits and 60 × 100 cm for additions, decoration, amendments, excavation and demolition. The project information sign itself has no size set by the municipality. In Dubai Development Authority (DDA) zones, DDA Circular 331 (2019) applies instead, with a white board on a steel-pipe structure carrying set fields.

What the code requires

This guide is about Dubai. Abu Dhabi does not use this circular and takes a different approach, covered under what Abu Dhabi uses instead: the QR board; its requirements are outside this page.

Who is responsible

The sources name the firms whose licences must appear on the sign (the contractor, subcontractors and consultants). They do not name who designs, installs, maintains or lights the sign. Check the permit conditions and the project contract, and confirm with Dubai Municipality or the Dubai Development Authority according to the project's zone.

What an inspection against these clauses looks at

• That the new Dubai Municipality logo appears on the project signs (item 1).
• That a safety instructions sign is at the entrance and follows the municipality's model (item 2 and §2-14(2)).
• That it is lit, clear and readable (item 2).
• That its size matches the permit type: 70 × 130 or 60 × 100 cm (annex).
• That every contractor, subcontractor and consultant shown holds a Dubai licence, that the number is displayed, and that no unlicensed firm is named (item 3).
• The languages and rounded corners (§6.2), and letter height against reading distance (Table 1).
• That the main project sign appears on the site layout (§20-2-1(o)).
• In DDA zones: board colour, structure and the six required fields (Circular 331).

Typical gaps against the requirement

• An old municipality logo in use — against item 1.
• A safety sign of a size that does not match the permit type (for example 70 × 130 cm on an amendment permit) — against the annex.
• A safety instructions sign that is unlit, faded or unreadable — against item 2.
• A firm named without a Dubai licence, or without its licence number — against item 3.
• Text in one language only, or square corners — against §6.2.
• Letters too small for the reading distance — against Table 1.
• Mixing Dubai Municipality and DDA requirements in one zone — against Circulars 11-1-1 and 331.

The sources state no fines for these signs, so none are given. Because the circular does not set a mounting method, mounting the sign on the site hoarding or on a freestanding frame is a site decision; the fence itself has its own requirements in a separate guide.

Checklist

• ☐ I have identified whether the project falls under Dubai Municipality or a DDA zone (Circular 11-1-1 or 331).
• ☐ The logo used is the new Dubai Municipality logo (item 1).
• ☐ A safety instructions sign is at the entrance, to the municipality's model (item 2 and §2-14(2)).
• ☐ The safety sign size matches the permit type: 70 × 130 or 60 × 100 cm (annex).
• ☐ The sign is lit, clear, readable and maintained (item 2).
• ☐ Every contractor, subcontractor and consultant shown holds a Dubai licence and its number is displayed (item 3).
• ☐ No unlicensed firm is named (item 3).
• ☐ Text is in Arabic, English and the majority language, with rounded corners (§6.2).
• ☐ Letter height suits the reading distance (Table 1).
• ☐ The main project sign is shown on the site layout (§20-2-1(o)).
• ☐ DDA zones: white board on a steel-pipe structure with the six required fields (Circular 331).
• ☐ Project information sign size, lighting and mounting are confirmed in writing with the authority, since the sources set none.

FAQ

What size is the safety instructions sign in Dubai?

70 × 130 cm for new building permits and 60 × 100 cm for additions, decoration, amendments, excavation and demolition, under the annex to Dubai Municipality Circular 11-1-1.

Which firms can appear on the project sign?

Only firms licensed in Dubai, each with its Dubai licence number: contractor, subcontractors and consultants. No firm without a Dubai licence may be named (item 3).

Does the sign need to be lit?

Yes. Item 2 requires the safety instructions sign to be lit, clear and readable. The sources do not give a lighting level or type.

Is there a set size for the project information board?

Dubai Municipality has not published one. Table 1 of the construction safety code sets letter height by reading distance, and the board is sized to meet that.

What about DDA zones?

DDA Circular 331 (2019) sets a white board on a steel-pipe structure showing the main consultant, main contractor, plot number, permit number, and the DDA and contractor emergency numbers.