Dubai Issues New Land Law to Streamline Public Land Allocations
Under the law, public land can be allocated to federal and local government entities based on a set of defined criteria.
Dubai has introduced a new legal framework regulating the allocation of government-owned land to public institutions. Issued under Law No. 6 of 2025 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the legislation is part of broader efforts to align land use with the objectives of the Dubai Urban Master Plan 2040 and to optimise the management of strategic land assets.
Under the law, public land can be allocated to federal and local government entities based on a set of defined criteria. The goal is to ensure that land use directly supports public services, institutional infrastructure, and the delivery of legally mandated functions. Priority will be given to projects with urgent economic, social, security, or service-related needs, while land availability and strategic importance will also be considered.
The Dubai Municipality will oversee the implementation of the law, coordinating with relevant authorities under the Urban Planning Law of 2023. Its responsibilities include reviewing land requests, assessing real needs, determining appropriate plot size and location, and issuing site maps. The municipality is also tasked with maintaining a unified land registry in collaboration with the Dubai Land Department, ensuring consistency and transparency across government databases.
Notably, the law grants the municipality authority to reclaim land previously allocated to public institutions if conditions warrant, including relocating plots or ordering the removal of existing structures according to regulatory standards.
The Chairman of Dubai’s Executive Council will issue detailed executive decisions to implement the law. Law No. 6 of 2025 repeals any conflicting legislation and will come into force 30 days after its publication in the Official Gazette.
