Regulatory requirements prohibit the installation of signs with “videos and animated images” for stores in Dubai

The Department of Economy and Tourism in Dubai revealed that, in line with the objectives of the Steering Committee to preserve the civilized appearance of the Emirate of Dubai, it is working to organize and control the placement of name signs on shop facades, in a way that contributes to preserving the general aesthetic appearance of the emirate, reducing visual pollution, and enhancing levels of traffic safety.

The department added that this comes based on the specifications and standards contained in the technical guide for outdoor advertising, which was developed in 2024, in accordance with the highest international standards, and issued by the Roads and Transport Authority and Dubai Municipality, in coordination with the “Mada Media” company responsible for organizing, developing and managing the outdoor advertising sector in the Emirate of Dubai, pointing to a set of standards and specifications, including “constancy of the content of the brand name plate,” as it is prohibited to install banners that include variable or moving content such as videos and animated images.

The approved technical guide regulates all specifications, requirements and technical standards for installing name signs on shop facades. The guide clearly stipulates that only one trade name be placed for each shop. It also prohibits placing more than one advertisement or trade name on shop fronts, taking into account adherence to the measurements mentioned in the guide, to prevent visual pollution.

According to the technical requirements and standards, it is not permitted to install trade name plates longitudinally on shop facades. The trade name plate must be installed horizontally in Arabic (top) and English (bottom), with only one side allowed to protrude.

The technical guide stipulates that the dimensions of the sign must be proportional to the height and width of the storefront, without exaggerating the height, width, or thickness, in order to maintain visual consistency, in addition to adhering to the lighting and brightness conditions mentioned in the guide, while adjusting the lighting with approved measuring devices, not exceeding the permissible brightness values, and avoiding the use of bright white backgrounds.

The technical guide also stipulates “the stability of the content of the commercial nameplate,” as it prohibits the installation of banners that include variable or moving content such as videos and animated images.

As for offices and clinics, the guide states that it is not permitted to place name signs on the balconies of buildings or on the exterior facades of offices, clinics, and shops that are located at a height of more than one floor.

The Department of Economy and Tourism in Dubai confirmed that it is responsible for issuing permits for commercial name signs, in addition to monitoring and inspecting them, to ensure compliance with the approved standards, expressing its hope for the cooperation of all concerned parties and shop owners by adhering to these controls, in order to achieve the vision of the Steering Committee in preserving the civilized appearance of the Emirate of Dubai.

The Dubai Economy and Tourism Department also stressed the need for all shops to adhere to the guidelines, take into account the general appearance of the shops, and avoid installing random decorations and very bright lighting, in a way that contributes to supporting the achievement of the goals of the Steering Committee and Dubai’s efforts to enhance its aesthetic character and global image, in line with the “Dubai Urban Plan 2040.”