Chairman of the Executive Council Resolution No. (54) of 2016 , no entity may organise any conferences, festivals or events related to any element of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, unless the necessary licence is obta

Article 23 — Borrowing the Tangible Cultural Heritage ¶

The provisions below shall apply when borrowing Tangible Cultural Heritage:
1. The Department may borrow the private Tangible Cultural Heritage from
the owner for the purpose of studying such Heritage or displaying it in
exhibitions, provided that it returns it back to the owner in the condition it
was in when it was borrowed.
2. When borrowing a private Tangible Cultural Heritage from the owner, the
Department may take pictures of such Heritage or make moulds for it,
provided that it returns it back to the owner in the condition it was in when
it was borrowed. The owner of such private Tangible Cultural Heritage
existing in the Emirate shall respond to the Department’s borrowing
request.
3. The borrowing agreements concerning private Tangible Cultural Heritage
shall determine the mutual obligations between both parties (the lender
and the borrower), and all the borrowing-related provisions, conditions
and procedures, including the following:
• To approve the borrowing-related terms and conditions, in addition
to the relevant financial and technical arrangements, as well as the
borrowing duration and location and a list of technical description of
the private and tangible cultural heritage to be borrowed.
• The Department shall verify that the lender has full legal title to possess,
benefit from and dispose of the private Tangible Cultural Heritage to be
borrowed.
• The borrower shall bear all costs, and take charge of all technical and
administrative works related to packing, packaging, transportation and
returning back.
• The borrower shall be responsible for the guard, dismantlement or
installation according to technical conditions included in the insurance
policy.
• The borrower shall be responsible for the issuance of the transportation
documents, customs documents and all necessary to complete the
customs procedures and other procedures required by other competent
entities.

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• The borrower shall bear full responsibility and financial implications
regarding the insurance coverage for the private Tangible Cultural
Heritage while transporting and returning it to its original place.
• The means of transport and the aspects related thereto shall be in
conformity with the conditions and standards indicated in the insurance
policy related to the private Tangible Cultural Heritage.
• The private Tangible Cultural Heritage to be borrowed shall be
accompanied with a proof status issued and approved according to the
procedures and models determined by the Department.
• The private Tangible Cultural Heritage to be lent shall be insured
according to the conditions in force, and this shall include all insurance
coverages according to the recognised international practices.
• The borrower shall take charge of protecting the private Tangible Cultural
Heritage to be borrowed, shall preserve its original state according to all
the required conditions and shall cover the expenses related thereto, as
per the approved provisions and practices as well as the conditions and
procedures determined by the Department.
• The borrower shall undertake to apply necessary precautions and
preventive measures to protect the private Tangible Cultural Heritage
and preserve its original state without any change.
• Any other standards, requirements, conditions or procedures decided
by the Department.
4. The conclusion of borrowing agreements for the private Tangible
Cultural Heritage existing inside the Emirate or in the State requires the
approval of the Chairman of the Department. However, the conclusion of
borrowing agreements for any private Tangible Cultural Heritage existing
outside the State requires the approval of the Executive Council upon the
recommendation of the Chairman of the Department.

Article 24 — Register of the Tangible Cultural Heritage of the Emirate ¶

Establishment and Division of the Register
Characteristics of Registration of the Cultural Heritage in the Register of
Tangible Cultural Heritage

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1. The Department shall establish a Register for the Tangible Cultural
Heritage called “Register of Tangible Cultural Heritage of the Emirate of
Abu Dhabi”, to record all data and information of the elements of Tangible
Cultural Heritage.
2. The Register shall be divided into an initial register and a final register. The
final register shall be divided into the register of public Tangible Cultural
Heritage and the register of private Tangible Cultural Heritage, and each
register shall be divided into subsidiary registers where every cultural
heritage shall be registered according to the classification to which it
belongs.
3. The Department shall renew and update the electronic and paper data
and information base related to the Tangible Cultural Heritage, and shall
issue all adequate recommendations and suggestions in this regard to
ensure continuity of preservation thereof.
4. Site boundaries shall be delineated with the coordinates written down in
the Register, and they shall include all areas and features which tangibly
and directly reflect the heritage value of the protected areas, in addition
to the areas which enable contributions to the promotion and recognition
of this value, in light of field research.
5. Only the Emirate’s Tangible Cultural Heritage with one or more of
the following features shall be registered in the Register. The feature
representing the Tangible Cultural Heritage and its degree shall be
indicated on the page of registration of the Cultural Heritage as follows:
• Cultural Heritage with historical value: whatever represents tangible and
intangible remains and signs left by earlier civilisations and which refer
to historical periods as signs of the nature of the movable or immovable
Tangible Cultural Heritage as well as historic buildings and cultural
landscapes reflecting the culture of communities which contributed
to the history of the Emirate in the field of arts, sciences, religion,
traditions, paintings, manuscripts and archiving.
• Cultural Heritage with aesthetic value: whatever represents the result of
special works made by man or nature, or by both man and nature.
• Cultural Heritage with scientific value: whatever refers to a special
scientific, technical or artistic achievement having contributed to the

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development of the society in the context of knowledge and improvement
of skills to build an exceptional culture in the society.
• Cultural Heritage with social value: Whatever refers to an obvious
change in the culture, style and spirituality of the society. This may be
represented in a historic or heritage landmark, or would exist for reasons
related to a certain era, memory, feeling or spirituality.
• Cultural Heritage with rare value: A heritage that is exposed to extinction
risk or that really became extinct, such as types of old plants, animals
(fossils) and rare heritage landscapes.
• Cultural Heritage with symbolic value: Whatever is related to specific
events with symbolic value for the Emirate, or participates in the making
of such events.
• Cultural Heritage with representational value: Whatever reflects the
aspects of life of the societies that have lived in historical periods across
human civilisations since ancient times.
• Cultural Heritage with information value: The amount of information
presented by such heritage and their value on the local level.
• Cultural Heritage with religious value: The amount of information
presented by such heritage and their value on the local and international
levels.
• Cultural Heritage with industrial value: The amount of information
presented by this heritage and its value on the local or international
levels.

Article 25 — Categories of Classification of Buildings and Facilities in the Register of ¶

Tangible Cultural Heritage
1. The historical buildings and facilities shall be classified in the Register of
Tangible Cultural Heritage in the following categories:
a. Category 1: Buildings with exceptional significance as follows:
• Have exceptional and special value.
• Are special on the architectural side and considered as an example of
representative approach, period, or type.
• Require exerting all efforts to preserve them or deliver them to the

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Department in case they are under imminent threat.
b. Category 2: Significant buildings that shall be as follows:
• Special and with very particular significance.
• Among the sites that may be listed under category “1 a”; however,
they were classified under category “2 b” due to the lack of features
such as an incomplete design, or because some low-quality additions
or modifications were made thereto.
• Among the sites exceeding the general standards indicated for
category “3 c” due to their exceptional properties, internal designs
or environmental quality. Such site may be listed under category
“2b” in case its historical significance is greater than the historical
significance of a similar site that is listed in category “3 c”.
• Require exerting efforts to ensure their preservation selectively.
c. Category 3: Buildings with special significance requiring every possible
effort to ensure their preservation; such buildings shall be as follows:
• With special value or significance.
• Among the good models for a determined period or style, but they
were slightly modified or have some design defects which may be
accepted.
• Among the sites which do not deserve individual attention, under
category “3 c”, in case they are a part of a group representing a
collective value.
• Require preservation sometimes, while alternative methods shall
be considered in case the preservation methods are useless on the
practical side.
d. Category 4: Buildings or properties which have some features but are
not sufficiently eligible to be included in the lists of modern architectural
heritage. Such lists shall be:
• Registered and maintained for future use.
• The Department shall temporarily list them in the Register in case of
threat of demolition or change in a way that affects their features, for
six months, until the Department decides to list or not to list this site
officially.
2. The classification criteria are the following:

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• Age and rarity: which means that shall be among the oldest buildings
which shall preferably be listed according to their oldness and age.
• Aesthetic features: Buildings shall have an attractive look. However,
buildings with little attractiveness may be listed for specific aspects like
social and economic history.
• Selectiveness: The most representative and attractive buildings shall be
listed after being selected among many buildings of similar type.
• National Interest: Buildings with special and national importance.
• The status of the building shall not be deemed among the relevant
considerations to be taken into account for adding it to the Register.

Article 26 — Standards of Registration of Tangible Cultural Heritage in the Register ¶

The Tangible Cultural Heritage that meets one or more of the following criteria,
shall be registered in the Register, and the Department shall determine the
standard and the category of such Tangible Cultural Heritage in its database.
The Department may add other standards as follows:
1. Requirements of registration of archaeological sites in the Register:
a. The archaeological sites shall explain the evolution or the historical
pattern of the Emirate.
b. It shall be possible to provide information for the sites, that may
contribute to understanding the history of the Emirate.
c. The archaeological sites shall explain the main characteristics of a
patters or a specific period of time.
d. Their significance shall reside in their aesthetic value.
2. Requirements of registration of fossil sites:
a. The fossil sites shall explain the historical evolution related to the
animals and environment in the Emirate.
b. The fossil sites shall contribute to the identification of the history of the
Emirate in the past historical periods.
c. Their significance shall reside in their aesthetic value.
3. Registration requirements for historical buildings:
a. They should reflect their importance in proving the evolution or historical
pattern of the Emirate.

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b. They should reflect the management of natural sites in ancient times,
such as old wells and superficial aflaj water systems and oases.
c. In case they are unique, rare and uncommon or classified as the
endangered cultural heritage.
d. They should be useful regarding any information that may contribute to
the identification of the history of the Emirate.
e. In case they are important as to the main characteristics of a specific
pattern or period of time.
f. In case they are important due to their aesthetic value.
g. In case they have given rise to a high-degree of innovative or technical
achievements in a specific period of time.
h. In case they show the nature and techniques of Vernacular Architecture,
as well as the way of life at that time.
i. In case they have a strong or special association with a particular
community or cultural group for social or cultural reasons.
j. In case they have a special association with the life or activities of an
important person or group of persons.
4. Requirements of registration for Modern Heritage:
a. They shall have a certain relevance in proving the evolution or historic
pattern of the Emirate.
b. They shall reflect the management of ancient natural sites, such as old
wells and superficial aflaj water systems and oases.
c. In case they are unique, rare and uncommon or considered as
endangered cultural heritage.
d. They shall have a certain extent of usefulness regarding any information
that may contribute to the identification of the Emirate’s history.
e. In case they are important as to the main characteristics of a specific
pattern or period of time.
f. In case they are important due to their aesthetic value.
g. In case they have given rise to a high-degree of innovative or technical
achievements in a specific period of time.
h. In case they show the nature and techniques of Vernacular Architecture,
as well as the way of life at that time.
i. In case they have a strong or special association with a particular
community or cultural group for social or cultural reasons.

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j. In case they have a special association with the life or activities of an
important person or group of persons.
k. In case they show any aspects of development in architecture,
technology, considerable arts, urban planning or design of natural sites.
5. Registration requirements for cultural natural sites:
a. If they show evidence of traditional human settlements or land-use or
maritime use representing a specific culture(s), or the human interaction
with the environment particularly when it becomes vulnerable due to
the natural changes thereon.
b. If they are unique, rare, or uncommon, or considered as the cultural
heritage at risk.
c. If they are important due to their aesthetic value.
d. If they have a special association with a particular community or cultural
group for social or cultural reasons.

Article 27 — Procedures of Announcement of the Register ¶

1. The opening of the Register of Tangible Cultural Heritage of the Emirate
shall be announced for the registration of Tangible Cultural Heritage. The
owner of a private Tangible Cultural Heritage shall be required to register
same according to the mechanism stipulated in these regulations within
two years. The Department may extend this period for the duration it
deems appropriate, provided that such duration does not exceed three
years.
2. The Department shall clearly announce the opening of the Register
referred to in Clause (1) of this Article in two daily newspapers at least,
for two consecutive working days. The Department shall communicate
the public announcement through various media, and shall mention the
offences applicable in case failure to register in accordance with the
procedures followed.

Article 28 — Registration in the Preliminary Register ¶

1. In case the department of Cultural Heritage at the Department accepts the
application, then the Cultural Heritage shall be registered in the preliminary

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register within five days from the date of the resolution accepting the
registration. All data contained in the application shall be transferred to
the Register. The Tangible Cultural Heritage shall be given a serial number,
and the owner shall obtain a preliminary registration certificate of the
Cultural Heritage with its number, according to the form prepared by the
Department.
2. In case a period of fifteen days has lapsed without any opinion from the
department of Cultural Heritage at the Department, this shall be considered
as an implicit resolution of the Department to reject the registration of the
cultural heritage in the preliminary register.

Article 29 — Grievance and Appeal Against the Rejection of Registration in the ¶

Preliminary Register
The applicant for registration of a Tangible Cultural Heritage may appeal
against the Department’s explicit or implicit resolution rejecting the
registration of the Tangible Cultural Heritage in the preliminary register
according to the following:
1. A grievance may be lodged to the Undersecretary of the Department,
within fifteen days from the date of notification of the resolution rejecting
the registration, or after the lapse of the period determined in these
Regulations. In case this period has lapsed without grievance, then any
later grievance shall not be considered and shall be deemed as if it is not
submitted.
2. The Undersecretary of the Department shall issue a resolution to accept
or reject the grievance within fifteen days from the date of the grievance.
In case said period has lapsed without any resolution being issued, this
shall be considered as an implicit rejection of the grievance.
3. The applicant for registration of the Tangible Cultural Heritage may appeal
against the rejection resolution directly before the competent court,
without recourse to grievance procedure, within thirty days from the date
of being notified of the rejection resolution or after the lapse of the period
specified in these Regulations.

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Article 30 — Procedures of Transfer to the Final Register ¶

1. Within thirty days from the date of registration of the Tangible Cultural
Heritage in the preliminary register, the department of Tangible Cultural
Heritage at the Department shall submit a summary report to the
Undersecretary of the Department about this Tangible Cultural Heritage
along with a recommendation to transfer its record from the preliminary
register to the final register or a recommendation not to transfer the
record, with the statement of reasons for such recommendation.
2. After that, the Undersecretary of the Department may issue a resolution
either to transfer or not to transfer the record of the Tangible Cultural
Heritage to the final register, regardless of the recommendation of the
department of Tangible Cultural Heritage. In case of non-transfer, the
Undersecretary of the Department shall clarify the reasons for the failure
to follow the recommendation of the concerned department with respect
to the transfer of the record.
3. The Undersecretary of the Department shall make his resolution either to
accept or reject the transfer to the final register within thirty days from
the date of submittal of the report to him, and shall notify the concerned
person of such resolution.
4. In case the Undersecretary of the Department did not make any resolution
within said period, this shall be considered as an acceptance of transfer
of the record; thus, the Department shall make the transfer without any
delay.
5. The applicant for registration of the Tangible Cultural Heritage may appeal
against the Undersecretary’s resolution rejecting the transfer of the record
to the final register, before the competent court within thirty days from the
date of being notified of the resolution.
6. In case of rejection of registration of the Tangible Cultural Heritage in the final
register, then this heritage shall be automatically considered as written off
the preliminary register. No new registration application may be submitted
for the same Cultural Heritage unless there are justifying circumstances as
per the discretion of the Department. In all cases, a new application may
not be submitted in less than one year from the date of write off.

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Article 31 — Form of the Final Register and Announcement of its Publication ¶

1. The final register shall be electronic and in paper form where classifications,
tabulation and organisation shall be made in a commonly-used and modern
administrative style, so as to ensure easy access to any record therein.
2. Within seven days from the issuance of the Official Gazette containing
the final register, the Department shall announce it by publication in two
daily newspapers for two consecutive working days, then it shall make a
third similar announcement within fifteen days from the day of the second
announcement, and a fourth announcement after the lapse of one month
from the third announcement.
3. The announcement in local newspapers shall contain news about the final
register of Tangible Cultural Heritage, a mention that it is published in the
Official Gazette, the issue number and date, a mention that this register
includes both kinds of tangible cultural heritage, namely: Movable and
Immovable Heritage, as well as the private and public Tangible Cultural
Heritage.
4. The announcement in local newspapers shall contain a reference to the
right of the concerned persons to appeal against the final register within
the time limit prescribed by law.

Article 32 — Survey of the Tangible Cultural Heritage and Certificate of Registration ¶

1. Upon preparing the Tangible Cultural Heritage Register of the Emirate, the
Department shall conduct a general survey of said Heritage in the Emirate
and shall register the public Tangible Cultural Heritage which meets any of
the criteria stipulated in these Regulations directly in the final register.
2. The private Tangible Cultural Heritage shall be registered in the preliminary
register. It shall be transferred to the final register in case it meets the
conditions and procedures stipulated in these Regulations, otherwise it
shall be automatically written off the register.
3. The final register of any Tangible Cultural Heritage shall include the
necessary data of such Heritage, such as its degree of significance,
description, location, borders of the area surrounding it in case it is

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immovable, sequence of its ownership, number in the register, and all
data related to the possessor of such heritage, in addition to any data the
Department deems necessary to be mentioned in the Register.
4. The Department shall issue according to the form approved thereby a
registration certificate confirming the registration of the Tangible Cultural
Heritage in the final register. The certificate shall contain the main data
related to this Heritage and its owner including the registration number
and other necessary data as per the discretion of the Department.

Article 33 — Updating the Register and Writing Off ¶

1. The Department shall regularly update the final register and any new
record in the Register after publication in the Official Gazette, subject
to the procedures applicable to the preliminary register, final register
and publication in the Official Gazette as stipulated in the Law and these
Regulations.
2. The Tangible Cultural Heritage shall be written off the final register by a
court judgment, such judgment shall be published in the Official Gazette.

Article 34 — Procedures of Registration of the Cultural Sites and Historic Buildings ¶

1. The historic sites and buildings shall be assessed on the level of cultural
significance, and they shall be classified as per the conditions, procedures,
and standards of registration adopted by the Department.
2. In case any cultural sites and historical buildings are classified as Tangible
Cultural Heritage; they shall be added to the Register of Tangible Cultural
Heritage. The historic sites and buildings shall be placed on the map of
geospatial information and the land system of the Emirate which may be
accessed by all the concerned parties.
3. The types of Registers of Tangible Cultural Heritage of the Emirate include
the following:
• Register of historic buildings / archaeological sites / natural areas /
fossils / complexes.
• Register of sites of global Cultural Heritage.

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• Register of the modern Architectural Cultural Heritage.
4. The clauses and data of the Tangible Cultural Heritage shall include the
following:
• Code and name of the site in both Arabic and English.
• Name of the region or the site, as well as the reference number of the
land, in addition to the coordinates and classification of the site.
• Time period to which the approximate date is attributed.
• Criterion of the cultural significance and the number of elements related
to the Cultural Site.
• Name of the entity/person applying for registration of the cultural site.
• Remarks to establish new clauses or data as deemed adequate by the
Department.

Article 35 — Registration of the Cultural Heritage in the Real Estate Register ¶

The Department shall notify the entity concerned with the registration of
real estates in the Emirate of every private and immovable Tangible Cultural
Heritage registered in the Register of the Cultural Heritage of the Emirate;
said entity shall indicate on the real estate registration page that this estate
is considered as a Cultural Heritage. In case of waiver or alienation of this
Cultural Heritage to any person, then aforementioned entity shall notify the
matter to the Department which shall modify the Register on that basis.

Article 36 — Procedures of Approval of Urban Planning Projects ¶

1. Urban planning projects may not be approved for any region among
the Tangible Cultural Heritage Sites and their Surrounding Areas in the
Emirate, unless after coordination with the Department.
2. The Department shall perform Preliminary Cultural Inspection for areas
subject to large development or construction projects or any projects
related to infrastructure, by virtue of an application submitted by the
owners of such projects to the Department according to the procedures
and fees indicated in these Regulations.

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3. In all cases, the concerned Department at the Department of Urban
Planning and Municipalities as well the concerned entities shall show the
Tangible Cultural Heritage Sites and their surrounding areas, as indicated
by the Department, on the planning maps, the system of lands and
geographic information as protected zones with the limits determined by
the Department in coordination with the competent government entities.
4. The Department shall take the necessary measures to study and provide
planning studies for the protection areas surrounding the Tangible Cultural
Heritage Sites in coordination with the Department of Urban Planning
and Municipalities. The competent entities shall abide by the standards,
regulations and schemes provided by the Department for the purpose of
preservation of the Tangible Cultural Heritage Sites and their surrounding
areas.

Article 37 — Preliminary Cultural Inspection ¶

1. the Department shall collect fees for the services of Preliminary Cultural
Inspection in the Emirate according to Table (2) attached to these Regulations.
2. No licenses for construction works may be issued for any region within
the Tangible Cultural Heritage Sites and their surrounding areas in the
Emirate, unless the prescribed fees are settled.
3. The Department shall carry out works of Preliminary Cultural Inspection
for the regions subject to large development and construction projects,
or those related to any infrastructure works or construction licences, by
virtue of an application submitted by the owners of such projects to the
Department through the electronic system of the No Objection Certificates
Programme for the facilities and the infrastructure of the Emirate, provided
that the Preliminary Cultural Inspection is performed according to the
procedures and conditions determined by the Department.
4. The entity concerned with the management and operation of NOC (No
Objection Certificates) for the construction licences, “unified electronic
system of construction licences”, shall consider all the conditions,
standards and classifications indicated by the Department regarding the
construction licences’ applications submitted thereto through the System

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by the concerned municipality according to the procedures stipulated
in these Regulations. In coordination with the entity concerned with the
management and operation of NOC (No Objection Certificates) system,
“unified electronic system of construction licences”, the Department
shall specify the sufficient time for completion of the procedures of the
Preliminary Cultural Inspection, and shall determine the Cultural Heritage
Sites and their surrounding areas which are subject to the procedures of
Preliminary Cultural Inspection.

Article 38 — Standards of Design of Urban Planning in the Cultural Heritage Sites and ¶

their Surrounding Areas
1. These standards shall aim at preserving the features of any Cultural Site
located inside an urban environment (city, village or complex) by controlling
and guiding development in the buffer zones surrounding such site.
2. This shall particularly apply to the world cultural heritage sites in Al Ain
City and their surrounding buffer zones.
3. The Department shall coordinate with the Department of Urban Planning
and Municipalities when handling the construction licenses’ applications
and whatever is related thereto within the cultural sites and their
surrounding areas, as well as the design standards and the urban planning
conditions. This includes the determination of levels of the protection areas
surrounding the cultural sites in terms of the conditions and standards of
the construction licence and the establishment of lands, in addition to any
urban planning conditions or requirements related thereto, as coordinated
and agreed upon between the Department and the Department of Urban
Planning and Municipalities.
4. In coordination with the Department of Urban Planning and Municipalities,
the Department shall set the necessary standards for the urban planning
in case cultural sites exist in the urban style, to achieve the following
objectives:
• Promote integration and provide linkage between the cultural sites and
their surrounding areas.
• Issue a number of clear and comprehensible recommendations which

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provide guidance in the development of various buildings, within the
cultural sites and in the scope of the surrounding buffer zones.
• Provide advice on the necessary performance mechanisms depending
on the characteristics of the cultural site and its surrounding area.
5. In coordination with the Department of Urban Planning and Municipalities,
the Department shall achieve the expected results concerning the
suggestion of solutions and determination of the methods used regarding
the following:
• Interventions on buildings: This applies to the land plots and the individual
buildings within the cultural heritage sites and their surrounding areas.
• Area Planning: It determines the allowed usage of lands, the maximum
coverage of the land plots, information about the shapes and features
of the buildings (with illustrations), in addition to detailed directives
about the materials used in the construction, architectural details and
construction techniques.
• Architectural Standards: This applies to the development of construction
projects, with clarification of the concept of schematic design.
• Standards for Dealing with Roads: supervising the improvement of
the general pattern with particular attention to the preservation of the
natural characteristics of the cultural sites and the historical routes.

Article 39 — Returns on Using Cultural Sites ¶

The Department may approve using Cultural Sites for photography, or
borrowing cultural valuables or organising events and other forms of
commercial or investment usage in the Tangible Cultural Heritage Areas,
and may collect the adequate financial returns provided that every case
is handled separately, depending on the financial returns, conditions and
procedures determined by the Department as per the suggestion of the
Department of Cultural Heritage, under the agreement concluded with the
entity concerned with the application upon approval of the Undersecretary
of the Department.

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Article 40 — Management Plan for the Tangible Cultural Heritage ¶

1. The Department shall develop the necessary plans for the management of
the public Tangible Cultural Heritage and its locations, particularly the sites
allowed to be visited by the public. The Department shall determine the
objectives, pillars and suggestions of such plans regarding the investment
of Tangible Cultural Heritage.
2. The mentioned plans aim at setting a timetable for a number of relevant
steps, activities or projects with a determined budget, and at distributing
such tasks to the relevant entities, according to the determined stages.
The main stages of the preservation management plan are the following:
• Understanding and documentation
• Explanation and analysis
• Establishing the statement of cultural significance
• Vision and policies
• Strategies
3. The Department shall handle the requirements and procedures of
implementation of the plans necessary for the management of Cultural
Heritage; including the following:
• Maintenance: Range of procedures followed by the Department on a
regular basis for the purpose of preserving the structure of the cultural
sites and their surroundings, keeping them in good condition and
protecting them from destruction or damage.
• Preservation: All operations of preservation and care of the Cultural
Site for the conservation of its existing status and avoidance of its
deterioration, and for the conservation of its cultural significance,
including restoration, reconstruction, rehabilitation and documentation
before, during and after the preservation process, according to the
technical policies and procedures followed at the Department.
• Preservation plan: Detailed outline characterised by dealing with the
protected and registered Cultural Site and its surrounding area. It
shall include a range of outlines, maps and documents related to
the standards, directives and specifications of the fundamentals and
actions of preservation and development of this site as it is considered

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as a technical and administrative tool to control the existing activities
whatsoever and ensure the preservation thereof through a precise
assessment process for the status and needs of the registered cultural
site. This shall be followed by setting a time-bound plan covering the
activities contributing to the implementation of the preservation process
as per the procedures indicated in these Regulations.
• Management plan: A plan that is thoughtfully set for the purpose of
assessment, control and development of the change management
policies in the registered cultural site.
• Preservation Management Plan: A comprehensive plan concerning the
process of management and preservation of one or more cultural sites.
This plan is developed by the Department according to the “cultural
significance” of the cultural sites and as per their construction status,
and it shall be developed under the supervision of the Department and
any concerned entities.

Article 41 — Excavation of Antiquities ¶

1. The excavation of antiquities shall be restricted to the Department; the latter
may assign this task to one or more excavation missions under its supervision
and according to the provisions of the Law and these Regulations. No entity
or any other natural or corporate person may carry out excavation, even in
a land possessed thereby.
2. The Department shall set the directives for the policy of excavation as
well as its objectives, methodologies, priorities and other conditions and
procedures necessary for the work of the excavation mission, by virtue of
a resolution issued by the Undersecretary of the Department.
3. The Department shall follow up the ongoing excavation fieldwork by
checking the weekly reports submitted thereto and receiving various
copies related to all the documents, pictures, maps, plans and sections
(published and digital copies), upon completion of the excavation process.

Article 42 — Excavation Licence Application ¶

1. No excavation mission may practice excavation works in the Emirate unless

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an application is submitted to the Department and necessary licence is
obtained; the excavation application shall include the following data at
least:
• Objective, scientific and practical plan for the suggested excavation.
• Name of the mission and entity, or the institution to which they belong,
as well as the names of the members of the excavation team and
the curriculum vitae of each of them, particularly their nationalities,
expertise, and the experience of the mission in the excavation field in
general.
• Schedule and stages of excavation.
• Borders of the excavation site and the maps thereof, including the GPS
coordinates or any other data that may be entered to the Register of the
Department.
• Budget allocated to the excavation and to the preservation and protection
of the excavated cultural site.
• Plan summarising the publication schedule and the authors of the latest
publications.
• Summary of the training opportunities provided to the employees of
the Department whenever possible, including the determination of the
expected results and the learning objectives.
• Any data, documents or any other conditions as determined by the
Department.
2. Based on the recommendation of the Department concerned with
excavation in the Department, the Undersecretary of the Department may
accept or reject the excavation application. The application may not be
approved unless the technical, scientific and financial capacities of the
mission submitting the application are verified.
3. The term of the licence shall be five years at most, and it may be extended
for a period of no more than five years, based on the request of the mission
and the approval of the Undersecretary of the Department.

Article 43 — Obligations of the Excavation Mission ¶

The excavation mission shall abide by the following:
1. Requirements of public safety and environmental conservation in the
excavation site as per the legislations in force in the Emirate.

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2. Excavation as per the internationally recognised methodology, regulations
and modern technologies approved by the Department, as well as the
use of any maps prepared by the concerned authorities and satellites if
need.
3. Documentation of the cultural sites and the excavation works as per the
methodology determined by the Department.
4. No part of any cultural buildings or discovered buildings may be removed,
and no archaeological discoveries may be moved out of the boundaries
of the excavation site without a prior permission from the Department.
5. No excavation information may be reported or published before obtaining
a prior permission from the Department.
6. Implementation of preliminary maintenance for the antiquities
discovered according to the methodology validated by the Department,
and submittal of a report about the preservation procedures at the end
of every excavation season.
7. Registration of the works carried out by the excavation mission and the
antiquities discovered thereby on a daily basis in a special register, and
submittal of a copy of such register to the Department.
8. Submittal of movable antiquities to the Department (upon completion
of the excavation works). No movable antiquity may be retained after
that period unless by a permission of the Department and within the
conditions determined thereby in this regard. The Department may
export some antiquities abroad for the purpose of researches, tests and
scientific experiences.
9. Bear all expenses related to excavation, regardless of their relevance
to excavation, including the preservation of movable antiquities unless
otherwise agreed upon between the Department and the excavation
mission.
10. Drawing on the scientific and practical expertise available in the Emirate
and the State, and accommodating the required number of Nationals to
hire them in excavation works and train them therefor.
11. Excavation shall not exceed the boundaries of the archaeological site
without any written permission from the Department.
12. Follow the Department’s instructions related to excavation of antiquities

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or archaeological sites.
13. Submit preliminary or periodic reports during excavation per week, and
submit a detailed report to the Department within six months from the
completion of the excavation works including the works achieved and
the results reached by the mission.
14. Submit all excavation documents in the form of a print or electronic
copy, including the drawings and photos of excavation, at the end of
every excavation season.
15. Publish the excavation results within two years from the date of
completion of the work, and provide the Department with ten copies at
least of such results in addition to all excavation documents in paper and
electronic versions, including the drawings and photos related to the
excavation as determined by the Department upon completion of every
excavation season separately.
16. Provide assistance and recommendations to the Department on how
to maintain the discovered antiquities, and clarify this with modern
recording methods.
17. Restore the archaeological site to its condition it was before the
commencement of excavation in case it was found that no antiquities
exist in the site or that there are movable antiquities therein but they
were moved to another place, unless the Department or the Possessor
of the archaeological site approves to keep the site in its current state
upon completion of the excavation process.
18. Obtain the approval of the Department regarding any change in the
excavation mission or any excavation team working therein.
19. Sign the excavation agreement determined by the Department and which
shall take into consideration the provisions stipulated in the Law and these
Regulations in addition to the guiding principles set by the Department.

Article 44 — Control the Excavation Works ¶

1. The Department shall control and follow up on the excavation works in the
presence of one or more representatives of the Department accompanying
the mission during the excavation period on a real-time basis, to verify

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the implementation of excavation works in a satisfactory manner and in
accordance with the provisions of the Law, these Regulations and the
excavation agreement.
2. Without prejudice to the right of the Department to totally or partially stop
the excavation works, if the public interest so requires, then the permit
granted to the excavation mission shall be cancelled in one of the following
cases:
• The excavation mission does not start its works for a period of one year
from the date of issuance of the excavation permit, without any reason
that may be accepted by the Department.
• The excavation mission stops the excavation works after starting them,
for a period of two consecutive years, without an excuse acceptable to
the Department.
3. In case of cancelation of the excavation licence in any of the abovementioned
cases, the Department may continue the excavation works by itself or
in agreement with another excavation mission, and it may publish the
excavation results as it deems appropriate.

Article 45 — Obligations of the Department towards the Excavation Mission ¶

The Department shall abide by the following obligations towards the
excavation mission:
1. Deliver the excavation site to the mission without any belongings or any
other obstacles that may affect its work.
2. Grant the mission an exclusive right to carry out excavation in the
archaeological site, and no excavation permits may be issued with other
permits for the same archaeological site unless any updates or facts
require otherwise as per the discretion of the Department.
3. Facilitate the mission of the Mission with the competent governmental
entities while carrying out excavation works in cooperation therewith,
and respond to their request without contravening the Law, the present
Regulations, the excavation permit or the agreement signed in this regard.

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Article 46 — Ownership of the Antiquities and Publication of the Results of Excavation ¶

1. All the antiquities which are discovered by excavation shall be considered
as a public property of the Emirate, thus the excavation mission shall
deliver them to the Department.
2. The Department shall document every antiquity discovery and shall
register it in the Register as per the procedures and standards indicated
in these Regulations.
3. The Department shall have the right to publish media statements in
newspapers about the discoveries, and may use the excavation results and
publish them in the manner it deems appropriate, in case the excavation
mission fails to publish the results it reached in two years from the date of
completion of the excavation works, unless a shorter period is prescribed
in the excavation permit or agreement.

Article 47 — General Survey of the Intangible Cultural Heritage ¶

The Department shall perform a general survey of the Intangible Cultural
Heritage of the Emirate for identification, documentation and study thereof,
particularly concerning the following fields:
1. Traditions and oral forms of expression.
2. Arts and performance traditions.
3. Social practices, popular rituals and ceremonies.
4. Knowledge and practices related to the nature and the universe.
5. Skills related to traditional craft arts.
6. Oral history.
7. Any other Intangible Cultural Heritage, such as sport practices, mores,
tribal relations and others as determined by the Department.

Article 48 — Mechanism and Procedures of Preservation of the Intangible Cultural ¶

Heritage
The Department shall take all the measures necessary to preserve and
protect the Intangible Cultural Heritage in the Emirate as follows:

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1. The Department shall determine the administration concerned with the
Intangible Cultural Heritage for the purpose of protection, management
and promotion thereof.
2. Conduct scientific, technical and field-based studies, as well as research
methodologies for an effective protection of the Intangible Cultural
Heritage particularly if the latter is endangered.
3. Work to ensure the recognition, respect and promotion of the Intangible
Cultural Heritage in the society, particularly by protecting the natural
sites whose existence is necessary for the expression of the Intangible
Cultural Heritage.
4. Provide the necessary assistance for whomever asks for it for the
protection of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in the Emirate including
the conduct of studies regarding various protection aspects, and provide
experts.
5. The Department shall collect, examine, classify and record all forms
of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Recording shall be performed by any
method deemed adequate such as audio, video or both of them, or
writing if possible.
6. The Department shall prepare a detailed index about the Intangible
Cultural Heritage indicating the place of preservation and recording of
such Intangible Cultural Heritage at the Department, in a way that makes
it easier to access and check such Heritage.
7. The Department shall prepare an electronic site for the Intangible
Cultural Heritage with a detailed index thereto, in order to make it
easier to access, check, view or listen to every Intangible Heritage using
information technology devices.
8. No person or entity may use any Intangible Cultural Heritage such as
popular songs and music for commercial and personal purposes, unless
with a prior approval of the Department.
9. Persons or group of persons with a certain knowledge in any field of
Intangible Cultural Heritage shall be recognised and registered in the
relevant register.
10. A list of Intangible Cultural Heritage which needs urgent protection shall
be prepared and the necessary measures shall be taken as per the

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discretion of the Department.
11. Within the limits of the legislations in force, the Department shall exchange
information and experience, and take joint initiatives with various entities
outside the Emirate in order to get the necessary assistance or provide
such assistance to third parties for the preservation of Intangible Cultural
Heritage.
12. A general policy aiming at emphasising the role played by the Intangible
Cultural Heritage in the society shall be adopted, and this Heritage shall
be integrated in the planning programmes of the Department as per the
legislations in force.
13. Benefit from the Intangible Cultural Heritage shall be ensured with due
respect to the common practices in the Emirate for this purpose.
14. Cultural programmes for awareness and publication of information
addressed to the public particularly the youth shall prepared and
implemented.
15. Inform the public, from time to time, about the risks which threaten the
Intangible Cultural Heritage and the methods of protection thereof.

Article 49 — Standards of Determination of Elements of Intangible Cultural Heritage ¶

1. With the assistance of competent committees, the Department shall lay
down standards determining the extent to which any element of the fields
mentioned in Article (28) of the Law belongs to the Intangible Cultural
Heritage of the Emirate, in preparation for its registration in the register
prepared for this purpose.
2. Based on the proposal of the Undersecretary of the Department, the
Chairman of the Department shall issue the decisions necessary for
the formation of competent and consulting committees concerning the
standards of determination of the elements of the Intangible Cultural
Heritage and the procedures of registration thereof in the Register.

Article 50 — Register of the Intangible Cultural Heritage ¶

1. The Department shall establish a register for the Intangible Cultural

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Heritage called “Intangible Cultural Heritage Register of the Emirate of
Abu Dhabi”, for the purpose of registration of all data and information of
elements of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.
2. These Regulations indicates the mechanism of registration in the Register,
as well as its type, sections, classifications, documents and standards of
registration therein. The Department shall prepare lists of elements of the
Intangible Cultural Heritage as well as registrations related thereto and
make them available to the public.
3. The Register of Intangible Cultural Heritage shall include a precise
description for every element registered therein, including the following:
• Name, date, place, original site and brief description of the element.
• Economic and technical value of the element.
• Current Procedures applicable for the protection of the element.
• Documentation of the element in audio, video, or both.
4. The Intangible Cultural Heritage Register of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi
shall be subject to the provisions and procedures related to the Tangible
Cultural Heritage Register of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi as stipulated in
these Regulations, in conformity with the nature of the Intangible Cultural
Heritage and as determined by the Department.

Article 51 — Standards of Registration in the Intangible Cultural Heritage Register ¶

1. The following conditions shall be observed when registering in the
Intangible Cultural Heritage Register:
• The Heritage shall be considered by the community (ies), and sometimes
the individuals, as part of their Intangible Cultural Heritage.
• It shall be inherited from one generation to another, as per the discretion
of the Department.
• It shall develop the feeling of identity and continuity of the community
(ies) or individuals.
• It shall not contradict with the international conventions and treaties
related to human rights, as well as the Convention for the Protection
of Intangible Cultural Heritage, nor with the requirements of mutual
respect between the communities, groups, individuals and sustainable
development.

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2. With the assistance of competent and consulting committees, the
Department shall indicate the standards of the authenticity of the
Intangible Cultural Heritage, and shall examine the collected Intangible
Cultural Heritage to verify its authenticity as per said standards, and to
ensure its origins and cultural significance before the documentation
thereof.

Article 52 — Support of the Research and Studies Regarding the Intangible Cultural ¶

Heritage
The Department shall support any research and studies related to the
Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Emirate through the following:
1. Conduct scientific research and studies to focus on diversity in the field of
Intangible Cultural Heritage and the elements thereof.
2. Collect information and data related to the Intangible Cultural Heritage,
including the establishment of an information bank as per a fixed
classification for the various aspects of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.
3. Cooperate with the educational entities and cultural institutions particularly
the universities, for the collection of information about the Intangible
Cultural Heritage.
4. Coordinate with the local and federal competent entities to teach the
Intangible Cultural Heritage in the academic programmes, provide
training thereon and implement it practically, including teaching the
Intangible Cultural Heritage in universities and institutes, and providing
the opportunity for studying it in Higher Studies.
5. Improve the skills and develop the necessary national competencies
to perform the Intangible Cultural Heritage and conduct training in this
regard, such as songs, popular music and dance, in addition to the training
of skills associated with traditional handicrafts.
6. Document any Intangible Cultural Heritage data provided by experts, old
people and specialists, and encourage them to participate in the transfer
of knowledge to the next generations and in the documentation of the
Intangible Cultural Heritage.

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Article 53 — Inclusion of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in the Academic Programmes ¶

In coordination with the competent educational entities, the Department
shall include the Intangible Cultural Heritage in the academic programmes
through the following:
1. Provide the educational entities with the education content related to the
Intangible Cultural Heritage, such as (the cultural heritage content, teaching
materials for students, teaching resources for teachers, educational
portfolios, educational workshops, audio-visual videos and brochures), in
conformity with the educational cycle whether in the school, institutes or
universities.
2. Train teachers and specialists on the mechanism of application and
implementation of the content of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, in the
scope of their job in schools or in the archaeological and heritage sites as
well as the local museums.
3. Attract students and teachers and involve them in cultural and heritage
events organised in the Emirate particularly the museums, cultural and
heritage festivals and the global heritage sites.

Article 54 — Promotion of Cultural Heritage ¶

1. The Department shall promote the Cultural Heritage, enhance the Cultural
Identity of the Emirate, protect all customs and traditions characterising
the Emirate’s society, emphasise the cultural diversity thereof and the
value of the economic dimensions of the Cultural Heritage, and protect a
sustainable balance between such heritage and its economic investment.
2. These Regulations indicates the mechanisms and procedures of promotion
of the Cultural Heritage as well as its limits, objectives and any relevant
restrictions.
3. The Department shall develop a general plan for the promotion of the
Cultural Heritage based on the accomplishment of the objectives indicated
in the Law and these Regulations, provided that such plan includes the
following:
• Make optimal use of the Cultural Heritage Sites under a licence granted
by the Department to the individuals, institutions or companies according

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to the conditions and procedures prescribed by the Department without
prejudice to the protection of the Cultural Heritage.
• Build endogenous capacities in the field of promotion of Cultural
Heritage for tourism development in the Cultural Sites of the Emirate.
• Develop the industries and economic services related to the Cultural
Heritage to diversify the economic incomes of members of the local
communities residing around the Cultural Sites.
• Build local and international relationships to exchange experience and
information for the promotion of the Cultural Heritage.
• Ensure that the promotion of Cultural Heritage does not affect neither
the Heritage itself nor its authenticity, and that it does not have any
damage on such Heritage or on the development of its management.
• Ensure that promotion remains within the limits of preservation of the
Cultural Heritage and its origins, taking into consideration the balance
between the requirements of promotion and preservation of such origins.
4. Preparation and organisation of events and activities related to the Cultural
Heritage and provision of any possible assistance for the attendance
thereof.
5. Promotion shall include the entire range of the estimated potential
activities to raise public awareness and enhance the recognition of the
identity of the Cultural Heritage Site. This includes electronic publications
and brochures as well as public lectures and facilities within the Site and
which are directly related to it or outside the Site, in addition to educational
programmes, community activities, research, training, and evaluation of
the promotion process itself.
6. The Department shall prepare the Tangible Cultural Heritage to make it
subject to promotion, including the following:
• Prepare the immovable Tangible Cultural Heritage sites in an adequate
way to welcome visitors.
• Coordinate with the concerned entities to complete the infrastructure
in the Tangible Cultural Heritage sites.
• Register the special elements of the Tangible Cultural Heritage in the
List of the International Heritage in cooperation with the competent
entities.
7. In cooperation with the concerned entities, the Department shall bear the

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responsibility of promotion of the Intangible Cultural Heritage according to
the plans and programmes approved by the Department for this purpose,
including the following:
• Facilitate the establishment or enhancement of training institutions
for the management of Intangible Cultural Heritage, and facilitate the
transfer of this Heritage through the forums and places prepared for its
presentation or expression thereof.
• Prepare and implement educational and training programmes
determined in the scope of the communities and groups concerned
with the Intangible Cultural Heritage.
• The Department shall register the special elements of Intangible Cultural
Heritage in the list of International Heritage in cooperation with the
competent entities.
8. The Chairman of the Department may decide to invest in the Public
Cultural Heritage totally or partially, whether directly or in agreement with
other entities. In case the Cultural Heritage is private, then the possessor
may invest in it as deemed adequate, taking into account the provisions of
the Law, these Regulations and the resolutions issued thereunder.

Article 55 — Licencing and Supervising the Museums ¶

1. The Department shall licence and organise the establishment of private
museums in the Emirate, and shall supervise them and control their work
according to the provisions and conditions indicated in these Regulations.
2. The Department shall establish and manage public museums of all kinds,
and shall develop the existing public museums and approve the systems
of their management and their by-laws, in addition to the mechanism of
supervision and control thereof.

Article 56 — Licencing Private Museums ¶

1. No natural or corporate person may establish or operate a private museum
in the Emirate unless if they obtain a tourism licence from the Department
according to the legislations in force and provisions of these Regulations.

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2. The department concerned with the licencing, in cooperation with the
department of the Cultural Heritage at the Department, shall licence the
establishment of private museums in the Emirate of all kinds.
3. This Article shall not apply to museums which are established or managed or
supervised by the Department or governmental entities, public institutions,
and governmental companies in the Emirate, or any other private museums
excluded by a resolution of the Chairman of the Department.

Article 57 — General Provisions on Licencing Private Museums ¶

1. The Department shall supervise and control the private museums through
the following:
• General administrative and technical supervision and control over the
private museums in the Emirate, and their development.
• Request of the documents and information deemed necessary for the
clarification of the financing sources in terms of the establishment,
management or operation of private museums.
• Classification of the private museums based on their activities and
nature of work, by setting special standards for every type of private
museums.
• Provision of technical assistances to the private museums such as
assistance to develop the exhibition, protection and maintenance of
collections, as well as any other assistances deemed adequate by the
Department.
• Organisation of the necessary training sessions for the owners of
private museums and their workers, in a way that contributes to the
achievement of the objective of their establishment.
• Design and management of an electronic system that compiles and
promotes all collections of the private museums in the Emirate.
• Setting the technical standards that shall be met by the private museums
as indicated by the Department.
• Any act or activity that protects Cultural Heritage and cultural property,
and achieves the objective of licencing the private museums.
• Submittal of any hard copy, initiative or general programme to the

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Department, on an annual basis, as a part of the operational plan for
the private museums.
2. The licence granted to the applicant shall be for an annually renewable one-
year term, after providing all the requirements and documents, meeting
all the technical and scientific standards and the required conditions, and
following the procedures stipulated as per the present Regulations, and
any relevant regulation and resolutions of the Department.
3. The Department may refrain from issuing or renewing the required licence
at any time and for any reasons it deems necessary.

Article 58 — Conditions and Requirements for Obtaining a Licence ¶

The applicant for a licence ¬to establish a private museum shall meet the
following conditions:
First: General Conditions
1. For natural persons, the applicant for a licence shall be at least 21 years
old.
2. The applicant shall have knowledge about the activities and works of
the private museums and the local and federal legislations related to the
works of the museums, to be able to properly provide the service.
3. The applicant shall not have been convicted of any crime of breach of
honour or trust unless he has been rehabilitated.
4. In case the applicant for a licence is a corporate person, then the
provisions of the Commercial Companies Law shall apply.
5. Suitable building or premises shall be provided for the practice of the
activity provided that it meets the standards and conditions approved by
the Department as per the standard requirements for museums in terms
of the care, preservation and restoration of museum collections.
6. Appointment of a director for the private museum according to the
educational qualifications and work experience as well as the conditions
determined by the Department.
7. A sufficient number of workers having the necessary qualifications
and experience shall be provided to work at the private museum, as
determined by the Department.

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8. Any other documents, conditions or other standards required by
the Department shall be provided and fulfilled as per the recognised
standards applicable to museums.
Second: Preliminary Approval
To obtain a preliminary approval for licencing the private museum, the
applicant shall meet the following conditions:
1. The application for preliminary approval shall fill the form prepared by
the Department; said form shall be signed by the applicant and contain
the purpose of establishment of a private museum.
2. A photocopy of the passport of the applicant and a copy of the Family
Book for the Nationals of the State, as well as the Eimartes ID and a
profile photo of the applicant shall be provided.
3. A copy of the Memorandum of Association of the company and a copy
of the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company translated (in both
languages Arabic and English), as well as the Certificate of Membership
of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Abu Dhabi.
4. Letter of the Department of Economic Development (solely for the
branches of foreign companies registered at the Ministry of Economy /
Department of Economic Development).
5. Disclosure and submittal of the necessary information and documents
for the purpose of clarifying the financing sources for the establishment,
management or operation of the private museums.
6. Certificate of Registration of the Trade Name of the private museum,
issued by the Department of Economic Development.
7. Photocopy of the passport of the proposed director or the director in
charge, a photocopy of the ID and a profile photo.
8. Certificate of ownership or registered lease contract indicating the
premise or building dedicated for the practice of the activity.
9. Copy of the qualifications and experience certificates of the director in
charge of the private museum and the employees, as deemed adequate
by the Department.
10. land site plan chart of the site of the suggested private museum.
11. Submittal of the external designs and engineering schemes of the
museums and their facilities, as well as their internal schemes which

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clarify the locations and dimensions of the exhibition.
12. Submittal of a statement of the museum collections, the exhibits and
their description, with photographs of such collections and exhibits on a
CD, in addition to a statement of complete information and the historical
periods to which they date back, in addition to the supporting documents
on the legality of acquisition or ownership of the collections and exhibits
included in said statement.
13. Acknowledgment and Undertaking for non-exposure of any materials
and collections whose origins are suspected or unknown, or those
whose exhibition is prohibited by the Department for any reason as per
the legislations in force.
14. Any conditions or requirements determined by the Department as per
the standards issued by the International Council of Museums (ICOM).
Third: Licencing
To obtain a licence for the private museums, the applicant shall submit and
fulfil the following:
1. Undertaking to abide by all the laws, resolutions, regulations and circulars
issued by the Department.
2. All licencing conditions and documents as well as the licensing procedures
stipulated in these Regulations.
3. Agreement of Local Service Agent that is duly certified by the Notary
Public in the Emirate, for the companies that are not allowed to practice
the activity in the State unless through a Local Service Agent.
4. Regulations and internal policies for the operation and organisation of
work of the private museums.
5. Initiatives and annual programmes of the private museums.
6. Source of finance of the private museums and the operational plans
thereof.
7. Payment of the fees prescribed as per the table annexed to the present
Regulations.

Article 59 — Types and Classification of the Private Museums ¶

1. The Department shall classify the private museums based on their activities
and the nature of their work by setting special standards for every type of

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private museums.
2. The licence shall be in conformity with the activity and nature of the
collections such as “an ethnography – modern – historic – fine arts
museum”.

Article 60 — Obligations Regarding the Operation of the Private Museums ¶

The holder of a license for private museum shall abide by the following:
1. Register all the archaeological, museum and heritage collections in the
registers of the Department according to the forms prepared for this
purpose.
2. Expose and describe the identification cards for all the archaeological,
museum and heritage collections (exposed items) in the private museum
in Arabic and English at least.
3. Provide full protection for all the exhibits and collections, and consider
all the methods that are internationally recognised and used for the
preservation, maintenance and restoration of the collections as per
the legislations, policies and principles approved for the protection,
preservation, maintenance and management of the Cultural Heritage and
promotion thereof under supervision of the department and according
to its instructions.
4. Provide suggested programmes for the annual activities and events of
the private museum provided that they include seminars, exhibitions,
workshops and training programmes for the guides and supervisors of
such activities.
5. Provide the Department, on a regular basis and as determined by the
concerned Department with the regulation, with all specific information,
statistics, reports, changes or modifications regarding all the services
provided by the private museum including their types, period of each
and programmes (if available).
6. Implement all resolutions, instructions and guidelines issued by the
Department regarding the withdrawal of some collections and exhibits
from the museums, or fulfil the requirements and specifications of the
metadata of the displayed collections.

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7. Permanently keep the licence granted in this regard in the premises of
the private museums, or keep a copy thereof in the place of provisions
of the services, in case such services are provided outside the premises
of the private museums.
8. Commit to implementing and participating in the annual training
programmes set for the director and employees of the private museum,
as determined by the concerned department with regulation.
9. Abide by the moral standards, hygiene rules and safety of services, as
well as accessibility to public places.
10. Implement all the obligations and conditions which are prescribed as per
the legislations in force in the Emirate.

Article 61 — Prohibitions concerning the Work of the Private Museums ¶

The licence holder shall be prohibited from performing the following acts
unless the Department’s approval is obtained according to the legislations
in force:
1. Sell, lend, borrow or perform any disposition of the museum, archaeological
and heritage items or taking them out of the State.
2. Accept the financial aids and gifts in kind from any entity inside or outside
the State.
3. Determine the price of the entrance tickets to the private museum.
4. Participate in the internal and external exhibitions and conferences.
5. Carry out any activity not related to the activity of the private museum
within the headquarters of the private museum.
6. Possess any item whether by purchasing, gifting or exchanging, only after
registration thereof in the relevant register according to the conditions
determined by the Department.
7. Invest and exploit the private museum for any purpose other than the one
for which it is intended.
8. Expose the materials and items of dubious or unknown origin, or those
whose exhibition is prohibited by the Department for any reason, as per
the legislations in force.

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Article 62 — Supervision of the Private Museums ¶

The specialised employees of the Department shall have the right to carry
out the following, as the case may be:
1. Make inspection visits to the private museums, prepare reports thereon,
and check its collections and exhibits.
2. The licence holder shall be assigned to register the collections and
museum items of the private museums in the registers of the Department
according to the forms and legislations in force.
3. Follow-up the implementation of the public policy and instructions set by
the Department regarding the private museums.
4. Suggestion of the adequate mechanisms and procedures of development
of the private museums, and encouragement of the private sector to invest
in the sector of private museums.
5. Any other tasks or responsibilities assigned by the Department.

Article 63 — Renewal or Cancellation of the Licence of the Private Museums ¶

Subject to all the procedures prescribed for the renewal of the licence, the
applicant shall submit the following documents:
1. Copy of the previous tourism licence.
2. Copy of a registered lease contract/title of deed of the premise where the
tourism activity of the private museum is practiced.
3. Approvals of any other entities related to the tourism activity, according to
the laws and regulations in force in the Emirate.
4. The Department may suspend the renewal of the licence until the
correction of any violations or for the implementation of any instructions
or conditions issued by the Department. In case the licence holder fails to
regularise his status, the Department may definitively cancel the licence.

Article 64 — Transferof the licence, Change of Premises, Cleanliness ¶

1. The licence holder may not transfer the licence granted thereto by the
Department by virtue of these Regulations, unless prior approval is

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obtained from the Department according to the conditions indicated by
the latter for this purpose, taking into consideration the legal provisions
and procedures deemed necessary in this regard.
2. The Department may reject any application of transfer of licence for any
reason it deems necessary.
3. No new branches may be opened, no change of premises may be made
for the private museum inside the Emirate, no radical modification may be
made to the premise or the building or to their location, and such museum
may not be closed neither permanently nor temporarily, unless the licence
holder obtains a prior approval from the Department.
4. The licensee shall keep the private museum clean, and the same shall
apply to the place of provision of services related thereto, whether it is
inside or outside the headquarters of the private museum. He shall make
sure that the workers of the museum are clean and well dressed, and
provide due care and maintenance for the museum collections, according
to the standards acceptable for every material apart.

Article 65 — Dealing with Visitors ¶

The licence holder and all the workers at the private museum shall abide by
the following:
1. Deal with all the visitors of the private museum properly and without
favourism, taking into consideration the provision of an adequate place
for the people with special needs (people of determination).
2. Provide precise, comprehensive and correct information to all the visitors
of the private museum with respect to the museum exhibits and collections.
3. Provide the types of services which are declared as available at the
private museum, in compliance with the private museum’s opening hours
determined for the visitors.
4. Prohibit smoking in the places of visitors in case said places are closed,
and abide by the provisions of the legislations in force in the Emirate
regarding the control of tobacco and tobacco products.
5. Comply with the policies and instructions issued by the Department for
the fulfilment of the standard requirements of the museums and the

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implementation of the policy of the visitors and the premises.
6. Preserve standards, conditions and technical requirements prescribed by
the Department.

Article 66 — General Provisions on the Licensing of the Private Museums ¶

1. All the provisions stipulated in the legislations in force at the Department
regarding tourism facilities in all cases which are not included under the
Law and these Regulations.
2. Temporary museums, whether those organised in the Emirate or abroad,
shall be subject to the provisions and conditions stipulated in these
Regulations and as per the procedures and standards imposed by the
Department in this regard.
3. The controls and conditions prescribed in Articles (67) and (68) of these
Regulations shall apply to the private museums as the case may be.

Article 67 — Licensing the Exhibitions Related to the Cultural Heritage ¶

The applicant for a licence for the exhibitions related to the Cultural Heritage
shall abide by the following controls and conditions:
1. The provisions and procedures indicated in these Regulations for the
licensing of private museums shall apply, as the case may be, when
considering the applications of licensing the exhibitions related to the
Cultural Heritage, in addition to the conditions and controls prescribed
by virtue of Articles (67) and (68) of these Regulations.
2. The Department shall consider the applications of licensing the
exhibitions related to the Cultural Heritage in coordination with the
concerned entities, and shall issue the technical approvals thereon
according to the conditions and controls stipulated in these Regulations.
3. All fees prescribed in the tables annexed to these Regulations shall be
paid.
4. Documentation and registration of information about the museum
sets/collections according to the recognised professional standards
and preservation thereof in a safe place to be used if need be, as per

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the documentation procedures determined by the Department.
5. Due care shall be exercised for the museum sets/collections and
preservation thereof while being easily accessible.
6. The information provided in the exhibitions and halls shall be accurate
and documented.
7. Human remains and important materials shall be displayed in conformity
with the professional standards, taking into consideration the beliefs of
the individuals or the ethnic or religious groups that respect everyone’s’
feelings.
8. Any items whose origins are unknown shall not be displayed, as the
exhibition of such items may be considered as a recognition of illicit
trafficking.
9. When making illustrations or models representing any cultural items,
this shall be clarified on the identification card by mentioning that the
exhibited item is a true copy of the origin item.
10. The exhibits shall be protected from humidity and temperature changes
which may affect their safety and significance.
11. The exhibits shall be protected from the external influences such as
vibrations that may result from heavy traffic, and from air pollution.
12. Warehouses shall be available, and the storage space shall be easily
accessed; they also shall be illuminated and ventilated.
13. The sets of items displayed in the exhibition halls related to the Cultural
Heritage shall be controlled and saved from damage or loss.
14. The artistic exhibits are recommended to be placed in separate areas in
order for the public to be able to observe them.
15. Elements shall be displayed with labels that explain and describe the
exhibited item.
16. It is important to add any elements that accompany the exhibits to
represent any scenes which are difficult to be established at the
museum, such as scenes of mountains, deserts, seas and sites.
17. The collections and artistic exhibits shall be insured and protected
against emergencies (fires – natural disasters)
18. Items shall be properly isolated from humidity and climatic factors in
the artistic exhibition halls.

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Article 68 — Design of the Exhibition Halls (Exhibitions related to the Cultural Heritage) ¶

For the design of the exhibition halls (exhibitions related to the Cultural
Heritage), the following controls and conditions shall be observed:
1. Provide the adequate environmental conditions for the protection
of the cultural artistic works, and the follow-up and maintenance of
the documentations in all times, in conformity with the recognised
international standards.
2. Take the necessary measures for the protection, prevention and use of
the adequate materials to reduce the effects damaging the environment
when cultural items are exhibited.
3. Design at least two entrances, one for the public and the other for
service, to ensure safe entrance and exit. The exhibition hall shall also
include an emergency exit, and exits shall be designed proportionally to
exhibition area.
4. The main movement axes inside the exhibition halls shall be through
ordinary pathways linking one hall to another.
5. Emergency exits and alternative escape routes shall be adequate to the
number of persons that may use them, and shall meet the recognised
international and technical standards. The capacity of the exit shall be
bigger than or similar to the number of the persons attending.
6. Empty space for exhibition shall be provided from one big empty space,
in conformity with the recognised international standards, as determined
by the Department.
7. Sufficient space shall be provided for the visitors in the internal exhibition
halls, taking into consideration the number of persons walking by, and
the supporting documents such as the journal of technical data related
to the number of expected visitors and other documents determined by
the Department shall be provided as well.
8. The lighting units used for the lighting of the exposition halls shall be able
to provide the correspondent lighting effects related to the nature of the
exhibits, according to the recognised international museum standards
and protection standards.
9. The exhibits shall be organised per subject or per history in the exhibition

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hall according to their presentation purpose.
10. Any other technical standards, conditions or requirements determined
by the Department, in conformity with the recognised international
standards.

Article 69 — Licence of Trade in Antiquities ¶

Profession of Trade in Tangible Cultural Heritage
First: Technical Licence:
1. Trade in antiquities (profession of trade in Tangible Cultural Heritage) is not
allowed, whether exercised inside the State or through import or export,
unless a licence is obtained from the Department based on an application
submitted by the concerned person on the form set by the Department.
2. Clause First/1 of this Article concerning the licensing of the trade in
antiquities and archaeological items shall apply for the profession of
copying, imitating or repairing antiquities and heritage items, as the case
may be.
3. The Department shall consider the applications for licensing trade in
Tangible Cultural Heritage referred by the relevant entities, and shall
issue the technical approvals according to the conditions and controls
prescribed in these Regulations.
Second: Conditions of Technical Licensing and Initiation of Work:
The applicant for a licence to exercise the activity of trade in antiquities
(profession of trade in Tangible Cultural Heritage) shall meet the following
conditions:
1. Subject to the provisions applicable with respect to the registrations of
commercial companies and the work of foreign companies according
to the legislations in force, the activity of trade in antiquities may not
be exercised and no associated services may be provided before the
obtainment of the required technical licence from the Department.
2. The technical licence shall be issued according to the procedures and
conditions stipulated in the legislations and regulations in force at the
Department, including these Regulations.
3. The resolution related to granting or renewing the technical licence
certificate stipulated in these Regulations, shall be issued within a period

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of fifteen days at most from the date of submittal of the application meeting
all conditions. The applicant may object to such resolution before the
reconsideration committee within 15 days from the date of notification of
the resolution.
4. The licence meeting all conditions shall be issued after approval of the
Department on granting thereof. The licence holder shall set up and
complete the premise within a month from the starting date of the licence;
such period may be renewable once for a similar period.
5. Upon completion of preparation of the premises of wherein the activity is
to be exercised, the Department of Cultural Heritage at the Department
shall check such premises and verify its operational readiness and that it
meets the required conditions.
Third: General Provisions for Obtaining the Technical Licence to Exercise the
Activity of Trade in Antiquities:
The applicant for the licence to exercise the activity of trade of antiquities
(profession of trade in Tangible Cultural Heritage) shall meet the following
conditions:
1. For the natural persons, the applicant for a licence shall be at least 21
years old.
2. The applicant shall have adequate educational qualification, or shall
have experience, knowledge, cultural education and familiarity with the
international, local and federal legislations related to the activity of trade
in antiquities and archaeological items, to be able to provide the service
as required.
3. The applicant shall not have been convicted of any crime of breach of
honour or trust unless he has been rehabilitated.
4. In case the applicant for a licence is a corporate person, then the provisions
of the Commercial Companies Law shall apply.
5. A Certificate of Registration of the Trade Name issued by the Department
of Economic Development shall be obtained.
6. An adequate premises shall be provided for the exercise of the activity,
and it shall meet all the standards and requirements adopted at the
Department according to the standard requirements regarding the care,
preservation and restoration of technical requirements.

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7. A manager shall be appointed as per the qualifications, experiences and
conditions required by the Department.
8. A sufficient number of employees shall be provided in the place of the
activity, and they shall have the necessary qualifications and experience
as determined by the Department.
9. Any other documents, conditions or standards that may be required by the
Department shall be provided and fulfilled.
Fourth: Data of the Technical Licence Application
The applicant for a licence of trade in antiquities shall fill in the form prepared
by the Department for this purpose, provided that it includes the following
data, along with the following supporting documents:
1. Name, surname and domicile of the applicant.
2. Certified copy of the ID.
3. Certified copy of the educational certificate.
4. Certificate of experience confirming the competence of the applicant in
dealing with antiquities.
5. Title certificate or the lease contract of the trading premises.
6. The applicant shall be ready to provide a bank guarantee in favor of the
Department, as determined by the latter, provided that the value of such
guarantee is no less than one million Dirhams and no more than ten
million Dirhams, to ensure that the applicant will not commit any violation
to the conditions of the licence, any cultural heritage crime mentioned
in the Law, or any violation to the provisions of other legislations in force
including these Regulations.
Fifth: Approval of the Technical Licence:
1. The Department shall decide upon the licence application, and in case of
approval thereof the Department shall take the following procedures:
• Collect the fees prescribed as per the tables annexed to these Regulations.
• Issue a numbered licence bearing the applicant’s profile photo, name,
surname, address of premises and licence date.
• An inventory book shall be delivered to the licensed trader for the
registration of every heritage item dealt with through sale, import or
export. All the pages of the inventory book shall be numbered with

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serial numbers.
2. The term of the licence shall be one renewable year.
3. The Department’s approval to grant the licence shall be subject to the
condition of providing a bank guarantee as stipulated in Paragraph 4/
Clause 6 of this Article.
Sixth: Obligations of the Trade r of Antiquities (Profession of Trade in Tangible
Cultural Heritage):
The trader of antiquities, holder of the licence, shall abide by the following
conditions:
1. Show the licence in a prominent place at the commercial store, place of
practice of the licenced activity.
2. Place a sign in front of every heritage item determining the price and
whether the item is an original piece or an imitation.
3. Provide a certificate and an evidence to confirm the source and origins of
the local heritage item that is offered for sale or export, or the items which
are imported from abroad.
4. Antiquities shall not be traded unless in stores dedicated for this purpose
as per the licence, and the trader shall not open any branch of such stores
unless by applying for a new licence from the Department and paying the
prescribed fees as indicated above. Every branch shall be considered as a
new store.
5. The trader shall not use his house as a warehouse to keep heritage and
archaeological items unless by a prior approval from the Department.
6. The necessary documents confirming the legitimacy of possession,
regarding the entry of heritage or archaeological materials imported
across the borders in lawful means, shall be provided.
7. The trader shall preserve works related to the Tangible Cultural Heritage
possessed thereby, and ensure compliance with the special standards of
care as determined by the Department.
8. The trader shall not exercise any profession or work in the premises that
is licenced for trade in antiquities, in any manner that is inconsistent with
the licence.

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Article 70 — Powers of the Department Regarding the Violations of the Licence ¶

1. The Department may withdraw or suspend the licence issued thereby in
case the licensee violates the conditions of the licence.
2. The violator shall correct the violation within the period determined by the
Department. In case of failing to correct the violation within the aforesaid
period, the Department may correct it at the expense of the violator.
3. The concerned person may file a grievance before the Department against
the resolution made against him, within fifteen days from the date of being
notified of the resolution. The Department shall decide upon the grievance
within thirty days from the date of filing thereof, and the resolution made
on the grievance shall be final.

Article 71 — Table of Violations and Fines ¶

1. The table annexed to these Regulations shall indicate the violations and
fines regarding the offences for which settlement may be reached, as well
as the fine to be paid by the violator in every case, provided that it does
not exceed half the fine imposed, according to the settlement procedures
adopted by the Department.
2. The penalties/fines listed in the table annexed to these Regulations shall be
imposed in the event of commission of any violation to the provisions of the
Law stipulated therein, without prejudice to any harsher penalty stipulated
in another legislation. The implementation of any of these penalties shall
not prevent taking other administrative procedures stipulated in the Law
or these Regulations.
3. Criminal proceedings against the violator shall end by the payment of the
settlement amount.

Article 72 — Control and Inspection ¶

1. The places of practice of the licenced activity and the associated services
shall be subject to the supervision and control of the competent authorities

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which shall verify that such activity abides by all the laws, regulations,
rules and resolutions in force.
2. The Department shall control and supervise the places of practice of
the licenced activity and the associated services. The inspectors of the
Department having law enforcement officers authority shall detect and
report the violations related to the provisions of these Regulations and any
instructions, regulations or resolution issued by the Department.

Article 73 — Confiscating and Retention of Antiquities ¶

1. Confiscation of the antiquities subject-matter of the offence, as well as
the devices, tools, machines, and methods used in this regard, shall be
ruled without prejudice to the rights of bona fide third parties.
2. The Department may retain any element of movable Tangible Cultural
Heritage, even if it is a foreign item, in case it is smuggled or imitated or
in case the possessor does not confirm the legitimacy of the possession
thereof.

Article 74 — Having Recourse to the Security Services and the Competent Entities ¶

The Department may have recourse to the security services and other
competent entities when practicing any powers stipulated in the Law or
these Regulations whenever necessary.

Article 75 — Exclusion from Judicial Seizures ¶

Subject to the implementation of federal legislations on the immunity of
foreign cultural items from seizure or confiscation, any antiquities, museum
items or artistic pieces borrowed by the Department or any governmental
or official entity from abroad for the purpose of temporary exhibition in
the Emirate shall be excluded from the imposition of any judicial seizures,
whether they are local or foreign.

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Article 76 — Implementing Resolutions and Instructions ¶

The Chairman of the Department shall issue the resolutions necessary for
the implementation of the provisions of these Regulations.

Article 77 — Publication and Enforcement ¶

This Resolution shall be published in the Official Gazette and be effective
from the date of its publication.
Issued by us in Abu Dhabi
On: 23 April 2019
Corresponding to: 17 Shaaban 1440 Hijri
Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Crown Prince
Chairman of the Executive Council

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Table No. (1)
Table of Violations and Fines Regarding the Crimes for Which Settlement
May be Reached
No. Description of the Offence Value of the fine in
dirhams - in case of
accepting settlement,
%50 of the value of
the fine prescribed
below shall be
charged
1 Damaging the Tangible Cultural Heritage by
demolition, destruction or distortion
10,000,000
2 Levelling any cultural sites or the assets
thereof, establishing any facilities thereon,
or making any cultivation or uprooting, or
change of features.
10,000,000
3 Carrying out excavation of antiquities
without licence from the Department.
10,000,000
4 Smuggling Tangible Cultural Heritage into
or outside the State, or submitting any
incorrect or false data or documents to
import or export any Cultural Heritage.
10,000,000
5 Possessing any imitated Tangible Cultural
Heritage to perform any fraudulent acts
against third parties.
10,000,000
6 Imitating or forging any national or foreign
archaeological items for the purpose of
deception.
10,000,000
7 Violating the conditions of the licence
issued for excavation of antiquities.
300,000
8 Taking, moving or using any archaeological
ruins or rocks from an archaeological
site, without an authorisation from the
Department.
300,000

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9 Distorting or mocking of the Intangible
Cultural Heritage in any way.
300,000
10 Presenting commercial advertisements,
installing antennas or visible tubes in the
cultural sites, placing signs or symbols in
the surrounding areas without obtaining a
licence from the Department.
200,000
11 Implementing, practicing or carrying out
any industrial, commercial, agricultural,
scientific or investment activities in the
cultural sites or their surrounding areas
without obtaining a licence from the
Department.
200,000
12 Transferring the ownership of the movable
Tangible Cultural Heritage that is registered
in the Register without obtaining a licence
from the Department.
200,000
13 Entering any Cultural Site that is closed
by a resolution of the Department for any
reason, without obtaining a licence from the
Department.
200,000
14 Submitting false data or information
or improper documents to obtain the
registration or licence prescribed as per the
provisions of the Law and its Regulations.
200,000
15 Practicing the profession of trade in
Tangible Cultural Heritage, or manufacturing
or trading any Tangible Cultural Heritage, or
establishing a museum or exhibition without
a licence from the Department.
200,000

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16 Possessing a Tangible Cultural Heritage
without registration thereof within the
periods stipulated in the Law and its
Regulations, unless there is an excuse
or reason that may be accepted by the
Department.
200,000
17 Removing anything from an immovable
Tangible Cultural Heritage, or demolishing
it, or moving it from its place, or making
any addition thereto such as construction,
writing or engraving.
200,000
18 Selling or purchasing any materials taken
from an immovable Tangible Cultural
Heritage.
100,000
19 Using the Cultural Site or its surrounding
area in a way that damages the site or its
cultural significance.
100,000
20 Using the ruins of the historical buildings in
any works including the maintenance of the
same historical building, without obtaining a
licence from the Department.
200,000
21 Carrying out any backfilling, levelling,
construction or demolition of a building in
the cultural sites or its surrounding areas,
even for the purpose of reconstruction
thereof, without a licence from the
Department.
200,000
22 Carrying out any works concerning the
infrastructure of cultural sites or the
surrounding areas without any licence from
the Department.
100,000

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23 Carrying out any maintenance, addition,
construction or modification on the
immovable Tangible Cultural Heritage,
without a licence from the Department.
100,000
24 Owner’s failure to preserve the Tangible
Cultural Heritage or neglecting the
maintenance or restoration thereof, or using
it unproperly or failing to respond to the
Department’s requests.
100,000
25 Failing to report about the antiquities
discovered by accident.
100,000
26 Preventing the employees of the
Department from exercising any of their
powers.
100,000
27 Owner’s failure to report the loss, theft or
damage of any Tangible Cultural Heritage
owned thereby within the period determined
in the Law and its Regulations.
100,000
28 Not responding to the Department’s
request concerning borrowing of the
Tangible Cultural Heritage.
100,000
29 Organising conferences or events related
to any elements of the Intangible Cultural
Heritage, without a prior authorisation from
the Department
100,000

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Table No. (2)
Table of the Fees Imposed on the Preliminary Cultural Inspection Services
in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi
No. Service Calculation Method Value of
the fee in
Dirhams
1 Issuance of an approval/non-
objection certificate (licence) for
individuals through the electronic
system of construction licences
– programme of non-objection
certificates for the facilities and
infrastructure of the Emirate of
Abu Dhabi. (without Preliminary
Cultural Inspection).
Flat fee 200
2 Issuance of an approval/non-
objection certificate (licence)
for the companies, through the
electronic system of construction
licences – programme of non-
objection certificates for the
facilities and infrastructure of the
Emirate of Abu Dhabi. (without
Preliminary Cultural Inspection).
Flat fee 500
3 In case of carrying out Preliminary
Cultural Inspection regarding the
issuance of an approval /non-
objection certificate (licence) for
individuals through the electronic
system of construction licences
– programme of non-objection
certificates for the facilities and
infrastructure of the Emirate of
Abu Dhabi.
for each person per
day (the persons
delegated to carry
out Preliminary
Cultural Inspection)
– big development
or construction
projects
500

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4 In case of carrying out Preliminary
Cultural Inspection regarding
the issuance of approval/non-
objection certificate (licence) for
companies through the electronic
system of construction licences
– programme of non-objection
certificates for the facilities and
infrastructure of the Emirate of
Abu Dhabi.
For each one
person per day (the
persons delegated
to carry out
Preliminary Cultural
Inspection) – large
development
or construction
projects
3,000

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Table No. (3)
Table of Licence Fees
No. Activity Fee value
in dirhams
1 Licencing the private museum (for the first time). 50,000
2 Renewing the licence of the private museum (annual
renewal)
25,000
3 Licencing the activity of trade in antiquities (profession
of trade in Tangible Cultural Heritage – first time).
100,000
4 Renewing the licence of the activity of trade in
antiquities (profession of trade in Tangible Cultural
Heritage – annual renewal).
50,000
5 Licencing the activity of exhibitions related to Cultural
Heritage (first time)
50,000
6 Renewing the licence of the activity of exhibitions
related to Cultural Heritage (annual renewal)
25,000
7 Licencing a commercial activity in the cultural sites
and historical buildings/ technical licence (annual
renewal or first time)
25,000
1. In return for the issuance of licences and provision of the services indicated
in the table above, the Department shall collect the fees determined to
each.
2. For the remaining services related to the licensing of the activity, the
Department shall collect the fees prescribed by virtue of Executive Council