No, backyard chicken ownership is prohibited under UAE’s federal environmental and public health laws, with Dubai Municipality and Abu Dhabi’s Department of Economic Development enforcing strict bans to prevent zoonotic disease transmission and urban nuisances. Recent 2026 amendments to the Federal Law No. 16 of 2007 on Animal Welfare reinforce penalties, including fines up to AED 50,000 for unauthorized poultry rearing.
Key Regulations for Keeping Backyard Chickens in United Arab Emirates
- Federal Prohibition: Article 28 of Federal Law No. 16 of 2007 explicitly bans private poultry ownership outside licensed facilities, citing biosecurity risks.
- Local Enforcement: Dubai Municipality’s Public Nuisance Bylaw No. 4 of 2011 and Abu Dhabi’s Animal Welfare Code mandate immediate confiscation of unlicensed birds, with repeat offenders facing escalated fines.
- Permitted Alternatives: Only commercial farms or government-approved community projects (e.g., Dubai’s Food Security Strategy 2051) may operate under Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) permits, subject to veterinary inspections.
Violations trigger municipal action under Law No. 11 of 2021 on Public Health, which classifies backyard poultry as a public health hazard. Exemptions for heritage breed preservation require prior MOCCAE approval, but these are rare and tightly controlled.