Abu Dhabi cracks down on littering with fines up to Dh4,000 – What you need to know
Fines for public disturbances: loud music, spitting betel leaf (paan), and abandoning cars
Dubai: Thinking of tossing a cigarette butt on the ground or leaving an empty snack packet behind because there's no bin nearby? Not only is this poor civic behaviour, but Abu Dhabi’s Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) has warned that such actions could lead to fines of up to Dh4,000.
On Tuesday, the DMT released a list of fines for public littering, based on Administrative Decision No. (220) of 2024, which relates to Law No. (2) of 2012 concerning the preservation of public appearance, health, and serenity in the emirate. These penalties are designed to protect and maintain public spaces.
The extensive list includes over 70 fines covering various infractions, such as littering, improper waste disposal, causing disturbances in public places, camping without permission, abandoning vehicles, and illegal public advertising.
Key fines for littering and improper waste disposal
The following are some of the specific fines imposed for littering and incorrect waste disposal:
1. Discarding cigarette butts outside designated containers:
Dh500 – First violation
Dh1,000 – Second violation
Dh2,000 – Third and repeated violations
2. Disposing of personal waste (e.g. food and drink packaging) outside designated containers:
Dh500 – First violation
Dh1,000 – Second violation
Dh2,000 – Third and repeated violations
3. Leaving waste or any equivalent materials in non-designated areas:
Dh1,000 – First violation
Dh2,000 – Second violation
Dh4,000 – Third and repeated violations
Other important public space violations
Given the extensive list of penalties, here are some additional key fines to be aware of:
1. Storing or placing materials on rooftops or balconies in a way that distorts public appearance or harms public health:
Dh500 – First violation
Dh1,000 – Second violation
Dh2,000 – Third and repeated violations
2. Hanging clothes racks outside windows or verandas facing public roads:
Dh500 – First violation
Dh1,000 – Second violation
Dh2,000 – Third and repeated violations
3. Cleaning or placing carpets, covers, or other objects on windows or balconies overlooking public roads:
Dh500 – First violation
Dh1,000 – Second violation
Dh2,000 – Third and repeated violations
4. Damaging public greenery, including picking flowers, cutting tree leaves, or harvesting palm fronds without permission:
Dh500 – First violation
Dh1,000 – Second violation
Dh2,000 – Third and repeated violations
5. Sleeping in public places:
Dh500 – First violation
Dh1,000 – Second violation
Dh2,000 – Third and repeated violations
6. Throwing chewing gum or similar substances in public areas outside designated bins:
Dh500 – First violation
Dh1,000 – Second violation
Dh2,000 – Third and repeated violations
7. Spitting betel leaf (paan) or naswar remnants in public places:
Dh1,000 – First violation
Dh2,000 – Second violation
Dh4,000 – Third and repeated violations
8. Posting or distributing unauthorised advertisements in public places (e.g. on parked cars, poles, or walls):
Dh1,000 – First violation
Dh2,000 – Second violation
Dh4,000 – Third and repeated violations
9. Smoking in non-designated areas:
Dh500 – First violation
Dh1,000 – Second violation
Dh2,000 – Third and repeated violations
10. Using loudspeakers, radios, or amplifiers in public spaces without permission, or shining laser lights in a way that causes inconvenience:
Dh1,000 – First violation
Dh2,000 – Second violation
Dh4,000 – Third and repeated violations
11. Abandoning vehicles in public spaces in a way that distorts the general appearance, including leaving them unclean:
Dh500 – First violation
Dh1,000 – Second violation
Dh2,000 – Third and repeated violations
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