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Guide · Building frames

Which building code applies to a steel project in Dubai, including free zones

Dubai, UAESources checked 25 September 2026Technical review pending

Sources, edition and review status 4 source documents
Applies to
Dubai, UAE
Covers
Building frames · Existing structures · Design basis · Approvals
Based on
Decree No. (45) of 2021 concerning the Dubai Building Code; DDA Circular 409 (2022); Trakhees Circular CEDGR-135 (2021); Dubai Building Code 2021 Edition, F.3 and F.4
Source check
AI-assisted check of the cited pages against the source documents. Numbers, tables and exceptions were read from the source pages. Corrected on 26 September 2026 after an independent AI review: a note on two later Dubai Municipality resolutions, which this page now leaves out until the original Arabic texts are checked; the corrected statements have had an author check only. Corrected on 30 September 2026 after a separate AI check against the source pages: the scope of the library and of the authority requirements it holds; the corrected statements have had an author check only. Corrected on 11 and 12 October 2026 after separate AI checks against the source pages: a decree locator; the corrected statements have had an author check only. No independent human engineering or legal review yet.
Status
Technical review pending. Later DBC amendments and circulars not audited.

How this library uses sources · Source notes for this guide

The question

Which building code applies to a steel project in Dubai, including its free zones, and from when?

Short answer

Decree No. (45) of 2021 makes the Dubai Building Code the single building code for the Emirate: it applies to building designs permitted after the Decree took effect, throughout Dubai, including special development zones and free zones such as the Dubai International Financial Centre, and everyone designing construction works must comply with it.1 Trakhees made it mandatory for all permit applications in its jurisdiction from 30 December 2021,2 and the Dubai Development Authority required designs submitted to it to comply from January 2022.3 For structural steel the Code then names AISC 360, AISC 341, ASTM materials and AWS welding standards, without edition years, so the project has to state the editions it adopts.45

One code for the whole Emirate

Decree No. (45) of 2021 establishes a standard building code for the Emirate, the Dubai Building Code, approved by the Director General of Dubai Municipality and published on the websites of Dubai Municipality and the other competent entities that license construction. It defines the Code as the bylaws and standards setting the minimum requirements for designing buildings.1

The Code applies to building designs whose permits are issued after the Decree’s effective date, throughout the Emirate, including special development zones and free zones such as the Dubai International Financial Centre, and all public and private entities and individuals designing construction works must comply with the published Code.1 The published Code has the binding force of legislation, other provisions are repealed to the extent they contradict it, and the Decree came into force 30 days after its publication in the Official Gazette.6 It was issued on 18 November 2021.7

The English version carries a note that, for interpretation and application, the original Arabic text must be consulted and prevails in a conflict.8

When each licensing authority applied it

Trakhees, of the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation (PCFC), announced that the Code is mandatory for all permit applications for developments under its jurisdiction from 30 December 2021, and that it supersedes all existing and related Trakhees codes.2

The Dubai Development Authority told its customers that, as of January 2022, building designs submitted to it for approval must comply with the unified Dubai Building Code.3

Practical consideration

Dubai Municipality, the Dubai Development Authority and Trakhees each license different areas, and each issues its own circulars and submission rules on top of the Code. Confirm which authority licenses the plot before preparing a submission, and use that authority’s procedures; each authority’s modification routes are not covered in this release.

Amendments and the edition to use

Dubai Municipality reviews the Code periodically with the competent entities; amendments are approved by its Director General and published on the websites of Dubai Municipality and the competent entities.6

Practical consideration

This library read the 2021 edition of the Code. Later amendments and circulars were not audited for this guide; before relying on any value, check the Code and the circulars currently published by the authority licensing the project.

What the Code then requires for steel

Structural steel is designed to AISC 360 and the standards it references, seismic design follows AISC 341, materials are specified to ASTM standards and welding to AWS standards.4 The Code’s reference list names AISC 360, AISC 341 and AWS D1.1 without edition years,9 and calculations, drawings, specifications and basis-of-design reports must state each code and standard by number, title and version, with the more restrictive requirement governing where Part F and a referenced standard conflict.5

Some structures are outside the Code altogether, including road and rail bridges, marine and oil and gas structures, tents, cranes, storage racks, scaffolding, stadia, grandstands, silos and chimneys.10 The guide on structures outside the Dubai Building Code covers what this library holds for them.

ItemExample entryBasis
Legal basisDecree No. (45) of 2021 concerning the Dubai Building CodeArticles 2 to 5
Licensing authorityThe authority for the plot, for example Trakhees or the Dubai Development AuthorityCEDGR-135; Circular 409
Code and editionDubai Building Code, 2021 Edition, plus any amendments published sinceArticle 6; check the authority website
Steel designANSI/AISC 360 and AISC 341, editions stated by the projectDBC F.6.5.1, F.3.1.3
LoadsASCE/SEI 7-16 with the Dubai provisions of Part FDBC F.7.1
WeldingAWS D1.1, edition stated by the projectDBC F.6.5.4.2
Illustration: which document to cite for the code basis of a Dubai steel project (our example)

Our example of how the code basis is recorded, not an authority template.165 The editions for AISC 360, AISC 341 and AWS D1.1 are project choices because the Code does not state them.9

Other emirates

Practical consideration

The library’s scope is the whole of the United Arab Emirates, but the authority requirements it holds so far are Dubai’s, apart from the UAE Fire and Life Safety Code. It holds no official building code for Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah or Umm Al Quwain, so it does not say which code or loads apply there. A search for another emirate says so rather than giving Dubai values. The official documents that would be needed have been noted for a later edition of this library.

Scope and limits

Practical consideration

This guide explains published legal and authority documents for general understanding; it is not legal advice and not an authority determination for any project. The English version of the Decree was read, and the Arabic text prevails. Amendments to the Dubai Building Code after the 2021 edition were not audited.

Questions this guide answers

Source notes

Numbered notes point to the exact section and physical PDF page. Page numbers are the PDF viewer’s page, which can differ from the number printed on the page. Sources checked 25 September 2026. These notes support the statements; they are not a substitute for reading the current document for a project.

  1. Decree No.45 of 2021 concerning Dubai Building Code, 18 November 2021. Dubai Supreme Legislation Committee. Decree No. (45) of 2021, Articles (1) Definitions, (2) Approval, (3) Scope of application and (4) Compliance, PDF page 2. Open the publisher PDF at page 2 (opens in a new tab) ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  2. CEDGR-135: Dubai Building Code Implementation, 20 December 2021; effective 30 December 2021. Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation (PCFC), Department of Planning and Development - Trakhees. Trakhees Circular CEDGR-135: Dubai Building Code Implementation, 20 December 2021, PDF page 1. Open the publisher PDF at page 1 (opens in a new tab) ↩ ↩

  3. Circular 409: Dubai Building Code, 9 March 2022. Dubai Development Authority (DDA). DDA Circular 409: Dubai Building Code, 9 March 2022, PDF page 1. Open the publisher PDF at page 1 (opens in a new tab) ↩ ↩

  4. Dubai Building Code, 2021 Edition. Government of Dubai; official copy hosted by Dubai Development Authority. Part F, F.6.5.1 Design basis for structural steel (printed page F29), PDF page 355. Open the publisher PDF at page 355 (opens in a new tab) ↩ ↩

  5. Dubai Building Code, 2021 Edition. Government of Dubai; official copy hosted by Dubai Development Authority. Part F, F.4.1 Application (printed page F11), PDF page 337. Open the publisher PDF at page 337 (opens in a new tab) ↩ ↩ ↩

  6. Decree No.45 of 2021 concerning Dubai Building Code, 18 November 2021. Dubai Supreme Legislation Committee. Decree No. (45) of 2021, Articles (5) Legal effect, (6) Updating, (7) Resolutions, (8) Repeals and (9) Commencement, PDF page 3. Open the publisher PDF at page 3 (opens in a new tab) ↩ ↩ ↩

  7. Decree No.45 of 2021 concerning Dubai Building Code, 18 November 2021. Dubai Supreme Legislation Committee. Decree No. (45) of 2021, signature and date of issue, PDF page 4. Open the publisher PDF at page 4 (opens in a new tab) ↩

  8. Decree No.45 of 2021 concerning Dubai Building Code, 18 November 2021. Dubai Supreme Legislation Committee. Decree No. (45) of 2021, preamble and note on the Arabic text, PDF page 1. Open the publisher PDF at page 1 (opens in a new tab) ↩

  9. Dubai Building Code, 2021 Edition. Government of Dubai; official copy hosted by Dubai Development Authority. Part F, F.3.1.3 Steel references (printed page F7), PDF page 333. Open the publisher PDF at page 333 (opens in a new tab) ↩ ↩

  10. Dubai Building Code, 2021 Edition. Government of Dubai; official copy hosted by Dubai Development Authority. Part A, A.5.1, structures to which the DBC does not apply (printed page A10), PDF page 12. Open the publisher PDF at page 12 (opens in a new tab) ↩