Dubai warns engineering firms over inflated villa designs

Dubai Municipality has issued warnings to several engineering consultancy offices after uncovering exaggerated structural designs in citizens’ villa projects.

These practices violated the Dubai Building Code and led to unnecessary increases in construction costs without valid engineering justification.

The warnings follow earlier directives requiring all consultancy offices to strictly comply with approved building and engineering standards.

Eng. Maryam Al Muhairi, CEO of the Buildings Regulation and Permits Agency, said the code is both a professional duty and a regulatory requirement, aimed at balancing quality construction with cost efficiency.

She added that excessive use of construction materials like steel not only drives up costs but also undermines sustainable building practices.

Dubai Municipality warned that repeated violations could impact a firm’s annual evaluation and lead to disciplinary action.

Earlier this year, two firms were suspended and barred from taking on new projects for six months over similar breaches.

By enforcing the Dubai Building Code, the Municipality aims to boost sector competitiveness, reduce waste, and support Dubai’s vision for sustainable urban development.

Dubai Municipality announced that it has issued warnings to a number of engineering consultancy offices after detecting professional practices involving exaggerated structural designs for citizens’ villas. These violations were found to contravene the requirements of the Dubai… pic.twitter.com/yEIwQps1AQ

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) August 26, 2025