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Dubai's JLT residents ask authorities to act against nighttime construction noise
While Dubai Municipality rules allow night-time construction only with special permits and strict decibel limits, some families in the community say ongoing noise is affecting sleep and daily life
- PUBLISHED: Thu 2 Apr 2026, 6:00 AM
Construction across Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT) has intensified over the past few years, with several new buildings now coming up in the community. However, tenants and homeowners are raising concerns about ongoing nighttime construction noise.
Cherian Mathew, who has lived in JLT for over five years in the same building, said the noise has become disruptive. “We live on a very high floor, and in 2023, when we raised a similar issue with Dubai Municipality (DM), the construction noise immediately stopped. In 2024, a new app was launched, and we were asked to record the noise and upload it. I did so but have yet to receive a response,” he said.
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Mathew added that despite visiting construction sites and speaking to site managers, no change was observed. “The hammering that goes on through the night over the last year has deprived us of quality sleep. My aged mother-in-law has refused to visit because of the noise, and the children find it hard to concentrate when they study.”
Other residents voiced similar concerns. S.C (name withheld on request), a resident for three years, noted that construction noise sometimes starts as early as 2 or 3am. “Pile driving and jackhammering wake us up at night repeatedly. The lack of sleep is affecting my health.”
Deepa, from J2 Tower, described the constant disruption caused by nearby construction. “The noise is there throughout the day and night. My 11- and 14-year-old children wake up from it. We keep the AC and fans running to drown out the sound. Last year, it wasn’t as bad but, this year, it’s been unbearable. I even find excuses to stay out of the house to escape it.”
S.S, another resident, highlighted the broader personal decisions that the noise levels may soon impact. “This is a densely populated area, and the sudden rise in construction noise is deafening. We are losing sleep and comfort and may need to think about relocating."
What developers say
When contacted, a spokesperson for Ellington, a developer in the area, said: “Ellington is aware of residents’ noise concerns near its construction site in JLT. Upon receiving this feedback, we have reinforced site operating procedures with our contractors, and mitigation measures are also being applied to minimise disruption to community members. Construction activity at the site is carried out with all required approvals from Dubai Municipality.”
MM Jayakumar, Project Manager at Aroma International Building Contracting LLC, explained that multiple projects are underway, including concrete work, which contributes to the noise. “We have two buildings, one project completed, and concrete activity ongoing. Several other contracting works are also generating sound,” he said.
When Khaleej Times reached out to DMCC, the master developer of JLT, the spokesperson said, “Building construction activity in JLT falls under the responsibility of the Dubai Municipality. DMCC maintains close engagement with residents across Jumeirah Lakes Towers and provides a clear channel for feedback.
“Where issues are raised, we actively share feedback with developers and Dubai Municipality to ensure concerns are appropriately reviewed and addressed. We remain focused on open communication and constructive engagement to help balance ongoing development with the well-being of the community.”
Khaleej Times’ request for clarity on permissible construction noise in residential areas is still pending with Dubai Municipality.
What the law says
According to circular 613, issued by the Dubai Development Authority on February 27, 2025, construction activities within the emirate are permitted to generate noise only during defined daytime hours, between 7am and 8pm. Noisy activities are generally permitted during this period, allowing contractors to carry out standard operations without additional approvals.
Any work outside these hours, including night-time or early morning activities, requires a special permit from Dubai Municipality. Even when such approval is granted, the noise produced must still comply with the prescribed decibel limits at nearby sensitive locations, such as residential homes, to ensure minimal disturbance to the surrounding community.
If a construction site has night‑work approval, it must still comply with decibel limits at receptor locations (e.g., neighbouring homes). The noise produced during these hours must be kept within the approved decibel limits for residential areas (approximately 45 – 60 dBA) to minimise disturbance to neighbouring communities. The circular stresses the responsibility of contractors and consultants to comply with these restrictions.
The contractor who continues construction after sunset without permission will invite stringent action, including a warning for the first offence, a fine for the second offence, and cancellation of the licence if the same is repeated.
Residents affected by noise can file a report to ensure that it doesn't happen again and disrupt their routine. They can report loud construction noise in Dubai between 8pm and 6am on weekdays, and 8pm to 7am on weekends.
You can register a complaint through Dubai's email at info@dm.gov.ae. You can also call the municipality's toll-free number at 800900, as well as Dubai Police on their non-emergency number at 901.
Families living in JLT are urging authorities and developers to take immediate action to mitigate construction noise and protect the quality of life.
Ajanta Paul is a Senior Editor on the Digital team. A natural leader and newshound, she thrives in breaking news and high-pressure situations — and enjoys reporting on community issues that matter to UAE residents.