Quick answer
- Dubai has launched a new addressing system with redesigned area signs, street name signs and house number plates, announced on 7 October 2026 by the Supreme Committee for Urban Planning, RTA and Dubai Municipality.
- The rollout covers 186 areas in 19 sectors of Dubai and runs in phases from the fourth quarter of 2026 until 2030.
- The first phase replaces or installs more than 2,000 signs in Za’abeel 1, Za’abeel 2, Nad Al Sheba, Al Khawaneej 1 and Nazwa.
- New house number plates in Dubai will show each property’s Makani number and a QR code, and no fee or fine for residents was announced.
Dubai is rolling out a new addressing system with colour coded area signs, new street name signs and house number plates that carry Makani numbers and QR codes. The change affects drivers, delivery riders, visitors and residents in 186 areas, starting with five neighbourhoods before the end of 2026.
The Dubai new addressing system was announced on 7 October 2026 by the Supreme Committee for Urban Planning, working with the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Dubai Municipality. It replaces and adds area identification signs, internal street name signs and house number plates across the emirate, all built on one unified design. If you have ever circled a villa community looking for a house number, or tried to direct a taxi to a street with no visible name, this project is aimed squarely at you.
What was announced
According to the official announcement from the Government of Dubai Media Office, the new visual identity and enhanced addressing system was developed with a specialist wayfinding and addressing design consultant. The goal is to make locations easier to identify, improve access to neighbourhoods and make streets look more consistent.
The system covers three main parts that drivers will see on the ground:
- Sector and area identification signs that tell you which part of Dubai you are entering.
- Internal street name signs inside residential and commercial districts.
- House number plates on properties, showing the Makani number and a QR code.
Each area gets a colour from a set of five, chosen to reflect its geography. The announcement gives two examples: blue for areas close to the sea and gold for areas with a desert setting. The colours of the house number plates will match the signs in the same area.
Dubai new addressing system: key dates and locations
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Announced | 7 October 2026 |
| Led by | Supreme Committee for Urban Planning, with RTA and Dubai Municipality |
| Total coverage | 186 areas across 19 sectors of Dubai |
| Timeline | Phased programme from Q4 2026 to 2030 |
| Phase one signs | More than 2,000 signs installed or replaced |
| Phase one areas | Za’abeel 1, Za’abeel 2, Nad Al Sheba, Al Khawaneej 1, Nazwa |
| Colour scheme | Five area colours, for example blue near the sea and gold for desert areas |
| Cost to residents | None announced |
The first phase starts this year. The RTA and Dubai Municipality set priorities for later phases using four criteria: urban growth and population density, how busy and central an area is, the presence of residential and tourist attractions, and the share of streets that have not yet been formally addressed. In practice, that points to fast growing and partly unnamed communities moving up the list.
What it means for drivers
For anyone behind the wheel, the biggest benefit is clearer wayfinding once you leave the main roads. Highway direction signs already guide you to an area, but the last few hundred metres to a specific villa or building are often where drivers lose time. Consistent street name signs and readable house numbers should make that final stretch quicker for residents, ride hailing drivers, couriers and emergency responders.
The QR codes add another layer. The announcement says they will give information about sectors and areas, the meaning behind street and area names, points of interest and other location content. Future stages will extend the same identity to bus stops, smart apps and area map boards.
Sign installation is street level work, so expect short stretches where crews are fitting new signs in the five phase one areas. No road closures linked to the project have been announced. For official closures and diversions across the emirates, check our Dubai road closures tracker. Street names in Dubai do change from time to time, as when Al Faghi Street was renamed Sheikh Zayed Farm Street, so keeping your saved addresses current is worth the effort.
Practical tips for drivers and residents
- Know your Makani number. The new house plates will display it, so make sure you know yours and share it when booking deliveries, taxis or home services.
- Update saved locations. If you live in Za’abeel, Nad Al Sheba, Al Khawaneej 1 or Nazwa, check that the addresses saved in your maps and delivery apps match the new street signs once they go up.
- Scan the QR codes when parked. Do not scan signs while driving. Pull over safely first and keep your eyes on the road.
- Look for the area colour. Once the rollout spreads, the colour of a sign can help you confirm at a glance that you are in the right area.
- Drive slowly in residential streets. Installation crews may be working at the roadside in phase one areas during the coming months.
FAQs
What is the Dubai new addressing system?
It is a new visual identity and upgraded addressing system launched by the Supreme Committee for Urban Planning with the RTA and Dubai Municipality. It replaces area signs, street name signs and house number plates with unified, colour coded designs.
Which areas get the new signs first?
Phase one covers Za’abeel 1, Za’abeel 2, Nad Al Sheba, Al Khawaneej 1 and Nazwa. More than 2,000 signs will be installed or replaced in these five areas, with work starting in the fourth quarter of 2026.
When will the whole of Dubai be covered?
The programme runs in phases from the fourth quarter of 2026 until 2030. It will eventually cover 186 areas spread across 19 sectors of the emirate.
What will the new house number plates show?
Each plate will show the property’s Makani number and a matching QR code. The plate colours are designed to match the new street and area signs in the same neighbourhood.
Do residents have to pay for the new signs or plates?
No fee or fine for residents was mentioned in the official announcement. If any action is required from property owners later, it is expected to be announced by the RTA or Dubai Municipality.
More for drivers: UAE Driving Guide
