Untidy Abu Dhabi residents face fines of up to Dh100,000 under planned regulations

New regulations prohibits any acts that may cause damage of any kind to the general appearance of the emirate or to public health and peace, including neglected cars.

Residents who make the capital look untidy will face fines of up to Dh100,000 under regulations being drawn up by Abu Dhabi Municipality.

The regulations will put into effect a law ratified last year by the President, Sheikh Khalifa, covering public nuisance, slaughterhouses, swimming pools, health control over non-food establishments, general appearance, unlawful use of satellite dishes and billboards, neglected cars, graffiti, camping and any other activities considered disturbing to the public.

It prohibits any acts that may cause damage of any kind to the general appearance of the emirate or to public health and peace.

Specific fines have not yet been published, but they will range from Dh200 to Dh100,000, depending on the offence.

Inspectors will also be able issue warnings, remove an offending item - such as an abandoned car - at the owner's expense, and suspend or revoke business licences.

The director of the public health division at Abu Dhabi Municipality, Khalifa Al Rumaithi, said municipality inspectors needed a law to regulate their work and set out penalties.

The law stipulates that a table of violations, fines and administrative actions would be issued once the law is ratified by the executive council.