Dubai Fines: A small act in a public place can turn into a fine in Dubai if it breaks the emirate’s cleanliness rules.

Dubai Municipality’s Eltizam system focuses on eight public-cleanliness violations, including littering, spitting, improper chewing-gum disposal, unauthorised barbecues and leaving animal waste in public areas. The system allows authorised officials to record violations using photographs, notes and automatic location tagging.

For residents and visitors, the important point is simple: some everyday habits that may seem minor can fall under Dubai’s public-cleanliness regulations.

1. Littering in public places — AED 500

Throwing rubbish in a public area is one of the violations specifically covered by Eltizam.

Dubai’s official public-hygiene penalty schedule lists a AED 500 fine for littering waste in public places.

This can include leaving everyday rubbish instead of putting it in an appropriate waste container.

2. Spitting in public — AED 500

Spitting may look like a minor offence, but Dubai’s public-hygiene rules specifically prohibit it in public places.

The official penalty schedule lists a AED 500 fine for spitting in public places, and Dubai Municipality includes the violation in Eltizam’s first phase.

3. Leaving pet waste behind — AED 500

Taking a dog or another pet outside also comes with a responsibility to clean up after it.

Dubai’s official schedule lists a AED 500 fine for a pet owner who fails to remove the animal’s waste from a public place. This is also one of the eight behaviours monitored through Eltizam.

4. Barbecuing where it is not allowed — AED 500

Planning a barbecue outdoors? The location matters.

The official schedule lists a AED 500 fine for making a fire or barbecuing in a public place where Dubai Municipality has not permitted it.

Residents should therefore use designated areas rather than assuming that any open public space can be used for a barbecue.

5. Washing a car and letting the water run onto the wrong place — AED 500

Another easily overlooked rule concerns vehicle-washing water.

Dubai’s official penalty schedule lists a AED 500 fine for spilling vehicle-washing water in places other than those designated by the competent authority.

This is also specifically included among the eight Eltizam violations.

6. Throwing chewing gum improperly

Chewing gum is also specifically mentioned by Dubai Municipality.

Eltizam includes improper disposal of chewing gum among its eight targeted public-cleanliness violations.

However, the official penalty schedule reviewed does not provide a separate line identifying a specific fine amount for this exact chewing-gum violation. It is therefore better not to publish an unverified figure.

7. Dumping waste at beaches, in the sea or in creeks — AED 1,000

The rules become more serious when waste is dumped into sensitive public and marine areas.

The official schedule lists a AED 1,000 fine for dumping general or organic waste in seawater, on beaches, in creek water or in ports.

This is one of the eight behaviours covered by Eltizam.

8. Putting up flyers or posters that spoil public areas — AED 1,000

Randomly attaching advertisements, posters or printed material to public areas can also result in a fine.

Dubai’s official schedule lists a AED 1,000 fine for affixing advertisements, posters or printed material in a manner that spoils the general appearance of the emirate.

Dubai Municipality also includes this behaviour in Eltizam’s first phase.

The fines people should pay attention to

Among the eight Eltizam behaviours, the official schedule reviewed shows AED 1,000 for dumping general or organic waste in seawater, beaches, creeks or ports and for improperly affixing advertisements or printed material.

Several other listed behaviours carry AED 500, including littering, spitting, unauthorised barbecuing, spilling vehicle-washing water and failing to remove pet waste.

One important distinction: Eltizam is an enforcement and documentation system; it did not create a new eight-item fine schedule in 2025. Dubai Municipality says the app strengthens enforcement of existing regulations.

Dubai Fines: A simple rule for residents and visitors

The easiest way to avoid these problems is to treat public spaces as areas where the same cleanliness standards apply whether you are at a street, park, beach or other public location.

Put rubbish in the appropriate bins, clean up after pets, use authorised barbecue areas and avoid leaving posters, flyers or other materials on public property.

Dubai Municipality’s Eltizam system is designed to make the monitoring of these behaviours more direct, with authorised officials able to document violations digitally.