Your messy rooftop might just cost you a fine. Here’s the deal
Listen up! Abu Dhabi’s not a fan of your rooftop jungle.
You might love your rooftop satellite dish setup – but Abu Dhabi? Not so much.
In a fresh twist on home decor meets city law, the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) is cracking down on rogue rooftop satellite dishes.
That tangle of metal and cables helping you stream your favourite shows? If it’s not installed by the book, it could cost you.
So what’s changed?
According to Clause No. 61 of Law No. 2 of 2012 (don’t worry, we read the boring bit so you don’t have to), any satellite dish that’s been installed without following specific guidelines is now officially a no-go.
The DMT has implemented regulations regarding the installation of satellite dishes in line with approved regulations. This is in accordance with Law No. 2 of 2012, to ensure the organisation and cleanliness of Abu Dhabi’s streets. pic.twitter.com/zeCtgkqMyc
— دائرة البلديات والنقل (@AbuDhabiDMT) May 11, 2025
No more DIY installs. No more balcony-balancing acts. No more rooftop dish parties. The city wants clean lines, clear skies, and zero tech chaos.
Here’s what ignoring the rules gets you:
- First offense? AED 1,000
- Second? AED 2,000
- Keep going? AED 4,000 a pop
Yep. That adds up faster than your weekend binge list.
Why the sudden dish drama?
The city’s aiming for a neater, safer, more polished skyline. Less clutter. More calm. Think of it as urban feng shui, but with fines.
What should you do?
Simple. Get your setup checked. Use an approved installer. Avoid becoming a cautionary tale in your building group chat.
Bottom line: That satellite dish you installed to watch the World Cup? It could be about to score a fine. Play smart, Abu Dhabi.
Follow Yalla for all the latest news