Dubai Municipality has officially released a comprehensive list of neighborhoods where shared housing is now permitted, categorizing them based on whether these arrangements are allowed in specific zones or throughout the entire area. While some neighborhoods like Al Baraha, Mankhool, and Al Satwa have designated sections for such accommodations, many others, including Al Karama, Al Nahda, and Jumeirah 1, have opened their doors to shared housing across the board. This regulatory move aims to streamline living arrangements, though it excludes key tourist and commercial corridors like Sheikh Zayed Road and Jumeirah Road, which are strictly reserved for family-only housing.

Under the new framework, property owners must strictly adhere to space and facility requirements, including a minimum of five square metres of bedroom space per person, along with designated kitchen, laundry, and dining amenities. Importantly, units cannot mix individual and family housing categories, as they must be dedicated to one or the other. Current property owners operating shared spaces have a grace period until September 8, 2027, to obtain the necessary permits and bring their properties into compliance. Failure to regularize these units could result in significant penalties, with fines ranging from Dh500 to as much as Dh500,000 for non-compliance.