Building Regulations and Specifications Table of Content
Second: Commercial Buildings Requirements
Article (11): Commercial Buildings Requirements
11.1 Built up Ratio
Specified Built up Ratio shall be applied according to the Planning Requirements issued by the
Concerned Administration.
11.2 Setbacks
Setbacks shall be applied to Commercial Buildings according to the Planning Requirements issued by
the Concerned Administration.
11.3 Levels, Heights and Number of Floors
1. Level of the ground floor tiles must not exceed (1.20) m from the Approved Design Level.
2. Heights of Commercial and Office Floors are applied as per Table (18).
3. Number of floors is determined according to the Planning Requirements issued by the Concerned
Administration.
4. A retaining wall shall be constructed in the event of a level difference of more than (1.50) m.
5. If there is a Half-mezzanine Floor (open to Ground Floor), the maximum Net Height of Ground Floor
is (8 meters + the thickness slab including the finishing), and the minimum Net Height of Ground
Floor is (6 meters + the thickness slab including the finishing) is as shown in Figure (12 ).
Figure No. 12. Net Interior Height of Story/ Multi-storey Buildings Typical Floor (for Commercial and Office Uses)
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Building Regulations and Specifications Table of Content
Table No. (18) shows minimum and maximum Net Height in Commercial and Office Uses
Commercial and Office Uses Minimum Net Height Maximum Net Height
Ground Floor (3.50) m (4.50) m
If adding half mezzanine the height without mezzanine
1 will be (2.50) m
The Competent Administration may approve the increase in
heights for special considerations
2 Full Mezzanine – Half-mezzanine (2.50) m (3.50) m
3 Basement Floor (2.50) m (3.50) m
(Net under beams and hanging service lines)
11.4 Basement Floor
1. Requirements for the Basement must be followed as addressed in Article No. (25) of this regulation.
2. Maximum Height of the basement ceiling level should not exceed (1.20) meters measured from the
approved design level towards the street adjacent to the main entrance to the buildings.
11.5 Mezzanine Floor
a. Mezzanine is permitted to be built for an area (100%) of the Ground Floor area in the plots, in which
it is permitted to construct a mezzanine floor in accordance with Planning Requirements issued by
the Concerned Administration and Land Use Classification and Codification System in the Emirate.
b. It is permitted to use Mezzanine Floor separately as offices or for the building's service purposes.
c. It is permitted to use Mezzanine Floor separately at the rate of (100%), if the Ground and Mezzanine
Floors are used as a Commercial Center. In this case, the presence of an Internal Connection
Component, an Escalator Staircase between the two floors, or Elevators with a glass façade of no less
than (10) persons capacity for one elevator.
d. Mezzanine Floor is permitted to be used separately at the rate of (100%) in case it is used as Parking
Lots.
e. It is not permitted to construct another mezzanine on the ground floor if the original mezzanine floor
is separated and used separately.
f. It is not permitted to construct verandas, projections or balconies on the mezzanine floor
11.6 Roof Floor
Roof Floor is limited to Service Rooms only (elevator room, water tanks, central air-conditioning
equipment, etc.) with the rates and conditions mentioned in Article No. (26) of this regulation.
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Building Regulations and Specifications Table of Content
11.7 Boundry Walls (Walls)
Boundry Walls are not permitted on Commercial Plots.
11.8 Parking Lots
Number of Parking Lots required is determined according to the following table.
Table No. (19) shows minimum number of Parking Lots for Commercial Buildings
Use Standards Minimumm No. of Parkings
1 Offices Each (70) m2 of net office space 1
excluding corridors and various services.
2 Restaurants Each (50) m2 of Net Area. 1
3 Commercial Uses (commercial Each (70) m2 of Net Area. 1
centers smaller than (930) m2,
shops, showrooms, etc).
4 Fully utilized buildings as 1. Each (70) m2 of Net Area. 1
commercial centers or the 2. Ground Floor can be fully
equivalent of retail trade, with an designated as Parking Lots
area of more than (930) m2
- Parking Lots designated for People of Determination must be allocated as indicated in Table No. (16)
- Charging stations for electric and hybrid vehicles must be provided in accordance with the Requirements set out
in Paragraph (403.03) and Table No. (15) of Ras Al Khaimah Green Building Regulations “Barjeel.”
11.9 Areas and Dimensions of Spaces
Areas and Dimensions of Commercial and Office Spaces must not be less than:
Table No. (20) shows minimum Area and Dimensions of Commercial and Office Spaces
Space Type Minimum area in m2 Minimum dimension is in m
1 Shop 18.00 3.00
2 Showroom 80.00 8.00
3 Office Room (For Office Uses) 10.00 2.50
Open Office Space (Open Work 50.00 3.50
4
Space)
5 Toilet (WC) 1.80 1.10
The thickness of walls separating shops and office units from each other and between them and public
corridors must not be less than (20) cm, and the thickness of all the external walls of the buildings must
not be less than (20) cm.
11.10 Sanitary Rooms
Minimum Sanitrary Rooms that must be available in Commercial Buildings shall be according to the
following Table:
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Building Regulations and Specifications Table of Content
Table No. (21) shows minimum required Sanitrary Rooms for Commercial Buildings
Buildings Sanitary Rooms
1 Offices, Shops & Offices A bathroom must be provided for each separate office or a bathroom for
Showrooms each (50) m2 of net open office space in the event that combined
bathrooms are created.
Shops & Net Commercial Area is up Providing one private Toilet for each shop /
Showrooms to (300) m2 showroom, or providing one Public Toilet,
provided that its specifications and
dimensions are identical to People of
Determination’s Toilet.
Net Commercial Area is Provide two Toilets for At least one
(301-900) m2 men and one for women Toilet must be
Net area is more than One Toilet is added provided for
(900)m2 People of
each (900) m2 Determination
2 Commercial Net Commercial or Recreational Area is (1- )3(Toilets for men and At least one
Centers & Public 900) m2 (2) for women. Toilet must be
Entertainment Net Commercial or Recreational Area is One Toilet for men and provided for
more than (900) m2 another for women will People of
Buildings
be added for every Determination.
additional (900) m2
If the commercial or recreational area Provide, at least, an additional Men's Toilet
exceeds (1500) m2 and Women's Toilet for People of
Determination.
11.11 Corridors
Net Width of Public Corridors of Commercial Buildings must not be less than the following:
Table No. (22) shows Minimum Corridors Net Width for Commercial Buildings
Use Corridors Net Width
)2.40( m )3.00(m
One-way shops Two-way shops
It is permitted to install kiosks in commercial corridors if the width the corridor on each
Commercial Corridors
side of the kiosk is not less than (1.50) m. provided also that these kiosks are not connected
or linked with each other for more than (6.00) m. and the distance between them is not
less than (3.00) m. and the kiosk width shall not exceed (1.80) m.
11.12 Loading/ Unloading Spaces
Requirements as stated in Clause (15.10) of Article (15) of this Regulation shall be applied.
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Building Regulations and Specifications Table of Content
11.13 General Requirements
1. Prayer Areas for both Male and Female shall be provided in Shopping Malls with an area of more
than (900) m2 with the need to provide minimum utilities for both genders and in accordance with
Article (16).
2. Services like Nursing Rooms and Baby Changing Rooms shall be provided.
3. Utility Services required by Relevant Authorities (Electricity Room, Telephone Room, Pump Room,
Water Tank or equivalent thereof) shall be provided.
4. A service floor is allowed between Typical Floors in buildings with heights that exceed (20) floors,
and it is intended for mechanical, electrical and sanitary (MEP) services and their related accessories.
No spaces for living, residential, commercial, recreational or similar purposes are allowed. Its height
shall not exceed (3.00) meters and its net height shall not be less than (2.40) meters, and it shall not
be counted among the permitted floors of the plot.
Article (12): Health Requirements for Establishments carrying out
( Restaurants, Foodstuff & Beverages ‘F&B’)
1. The design of Restaurants, ‘F&B’ stores (restaurants, cafeterias, cafes, juice shops, vegetable and fruit
stores, candy stores, refreshment stores, mills, toasters, refrigerated, frozen and dry food stores,
bakeries, groceries, supermarkets, Selling seafood shops and other establishments) shall be made in
accordance with Health Requiremetns issues by the Relevant Administration. The Consultant
Engineer must refer to these requirments when preparing designs.
2. Floors, walls and ceilings of restaurants, ‘F&B’ shops shall have smooth finish, easy to clean, non-
absorbent, waterproof, fire-resistant, light-colored, non-toxic and free of cracks materials. The floor
shall have adequate slope to allow for easy cleaning. The corners between the walls, between walls
and floors, and between walls and ceiling must be airtight and curved for easy cleaning.
3. Proper ventilation and lighting shall be provided for all internal parts as stated in this Regulation.
4. Shelves, electrical appliances, laundries, stores, chimneys, service tables must be provided, insect
and rodent resistance devices must be installed on doors, windows and other outlets, and all that is
necessary in accordance with the Health Conditions issued by the Concerned Administration.
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Building Regulations and Specifications Table of Content
5. Roofs of kitchens in restaurants and the similarly shall be made of Reinforced Concrete or equivalent
material which is fire-resistant and approved by Civil Defense Department.
6. Restaurants, ‘F&B’ stores must be equipped with the necessary sanitary installations and in
accordance with the Sanitary and Plumbing Works Requirements.
7. Chimneys for bakeries, restaurants and toasters should be located on the side of the Sikka or only
through the building skylights, in order to preserve the General Appearance of the Building. It’s
height should be no less than (4) m above the roof of the building, and that it must be equipped with
Environmental Treatment Means so that it does not affect the Neighborhood or distort Public
Landscape.
8. Chilled and Freezing Rooms must be equipped with a temperature gauge installed in a way that can
be read from the outside, and their doors must be made to open from the inside and outside.
Article (13): Occupancy of Sidewalks and Outdoor Spaces (Cafés & Restaurants)
The design and permit of Occupancy of Sidewalks and Outdoor Spaces of Cafés and Restaurants are
subject to the requirements and specifications contained in the approved executive bylaw for Law No.
(3) of 2018 regarding the Occupancy of Sidewalks and Outdoor Spaces.
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