Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) is actively enforcing a shopfront signage framework introduced in 2024, with the goal of reducing visual clutter across the emirate and bringing commercial streetscapes into line with what the Dubai Civility Committee describes as an effort to preserve the city’s urban appearance.
The framework is set out in the Outdoor Advertising Manual, published jointly by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Dubai Municipality, in coordination with Mada Media, the body that oversees Dubai’s out-of-home advertising sector.
Under the rules, each commercial establishment is permitted to display a single trade name on its shopfront. Multiple signs or advertisements on one facade are not allowed. Where signage is displayed, Arabic must appear above English, and signs must be mounted horizontally rather than vertically. Projection is permitted from one side only.
Dimensions must be proportionate to the shopfront itself, without excessive height, width, or thickness, and brightness levels are subject to specific limits. Bright white backgrounds are not permitted. All signage content must be static – moving images, animated displays, and video content are prohibited.
The guidelines also restrict where signs can appear. Trade-name signage cannot be placed on building balconies or on the external facades of offices, clinics, or commercial outlets above the ground floor.
DET holds responsibility for issuing signage permits and inspecting commercial premises for compliance. The department called on business owners to cooperate with the requirements, and emphasised that random decorative installations and excessive lighting also fall outside what is permitted.
The measures are framed as part of the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan’s broader goals for the city’s aesthetic and global image. Full technical specifications are available in Section 3.4 of the Out of Home Advertising Manual at rta.ae.
