Dubai Municipality has uncovered 2,395 building and occupancy violations after conducting more than 16,000 inspections since the start of 2026, the authority announced this week. Of the total, 451 violations have been fully rectified, 1,478 are undergoing corrective action, and 466 cases have triggered strict enforcement measures.
More than 800 of the inspection visits targeted the Al Warqa residential district, one of Dubai's densely populated neighbourhoods, as part of a citywide campaign to enforce building codes and occupancy rules.
Eng Maryam Al Muhairi, Chief Executive of the Building Regulation and Permits Agency at Dubai Municipality, said the campaign supports the emirate's goal of remaining "a safe, well-regulated and sustainable urban environment."
Inspectors most frequently found bachelor accommodation operating in zones where it is not permitted, multiple families sharing a single residential unit, unpermitted construction or structural alterations, and unauthorised renovations such as wall demolition, kitchen changes and partition relocation.
The municipality reminded property owners that any construction or modification work requires prior approval, and that residential units must be used strictly in line with their approved purpose. Officials also urged residents to report suspected violations through official municipal channels.
The crackdown forms part of a broader Dubai Municipality effort to regulate the rental and construction markets as housing demand in the emirate remains elevated, alongside rising concern over illegal subletting and unapproved building work. Authorities said the inspection drive will continue on an ongoing basis.