No. Metal detecting in UAE public parks is prohibited under federal and local laws due to cultural heritage protections and public safety concerns. Violations risk fines, confiscation, or criminal charges under the 2019 Federal Decree-Law No. 2 of 2019 on Archaeological and Heritage Sites.
Key Regulations for Metal Detecting in Public Parks in United Arab Emirates
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Federal Heritage Protection Laws: Federal Decree-Law No. 2 of 2019 criminalizes unauthorized metal detecting in areas designated as archaeological or heritage sites, which often include public parks. Penalties include fines up to AED 500,000 and imprisonment for up to 10 years for severe violations.
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Local Emirate-Specific Bylaws: Dubai Municipality’s Public Parks and Beaches Bylaw No. 2 of 2018 explicitly bans metal detecting in public parks, citing damage to public property and disruption of natural landscapes. Similar restrictions exist in Abu Dhabi under the Environment, Health and Safety Management System (EHSMS).
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Permit Requirements for Non-Prohibited Areas: The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT-Abu Dhabi) and Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) may issue permits for metal detecting in non-heritage areas, but these are rare and require prior approval. Applications must demonstrate no risk to cultural artifacts or public infrastructure.