2025-10-08

Commercial Permits Regulations (Temporary Activity) Rules 2025

The Registrar of the Abu Dhabi Global Market issued these Rules to regulate temporary commercial activities such as events, entertainment, speakers, and photography within the ADGM. The regulations mandate that all persons conducting or intending to conduct such activities must obtain a Temporary Activity Permit from the Registrar prior to commencement. Compliance is enforced through strict application requirements, including landlord consent and licensed status, with violations subject to fines up to level 8 on the Fines Scale.

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United Arab Emirates

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Consultation Paper No. 11 of 2025 Appendix 2 1 COMMERCIAL PERMITS REGULATIONS (TEMPORARY ACTIVITY) RULES 2025 Date of Publication: [] 2025 The Registrar of the Abu Dhabi Global Market, in implementation of the provisions of section 2(4) of the Commercial Permits Regulations 2024, hereby makes the following rules:

  1. Citation, commencement and interpretation (1) These Rules may be cited as the Commercial Permits Regulations (Temporary Activity) Rules 2025. (2) These Rules will come into force on: (a) the day after the expiry date of a permit to conduct an Activity issued by the Registrar for any person that has been conducting an Activity at the Premises prior to the publication of these Rules; and (b) the date of publication of these Rules for any person that intends to conduct an Activity at the Premises but has not done so prior to the publication of these Rules or has done so without a permit to conduct an Activity at the Premises. (3) In these Rules, “Activity” or “Activities” refers to the separate activities of Events, Entertainment, Speaker, and Photography; "Competent Body” means any UAE or Emirate of Abu Dhabi governmental or regulatory authority; “Entertainment” means any temporary live amplified sound or music, live performance, or dance; “Events” means any temporary organised gathering in a public or private space, which has been advertised to the public, involving the provision of any conference, seminar, training, exhibition, use of temporary structures or facilities, or commercial activities such as charging for entry or selling goods; “Fines Scale” means the standard fines scale set out in Schedule 1 of the Administrative Regulations 2025; “Licensed Person” refers to a person issued with a valid Commercial Licence pursuant to the Commercial Licensing Regulations 2025; “Photography” means any professional or commercial photography, including photoshoots, filming, or large equipment setup, in any public space or Event; “Premises” means any property located within the geographical boundaries of the Abu Dhabi Global Market from where the Activity will take place; “Regulations” means the Commercial Permits Regulations 2024; “Speaker” means any person who delivers a speech or presentation to a live audience that includes members of the public, whether in person or virtually, with the purpose of informing, educating, persuading, inspiring, or entertaining;

Consultation Paper No. 11 of 2025 Appendix 2 2 “Temporary Activity Permit” means a permit issued by the Registrar to a person permitting any or all of the Activities at the Premises; “Temporary Activity Permit holder” refers to the person applying for the Temporary Activity Permit; and “Temporary Commercial Permit holder” refers to a person issued with a valid Temporary Commercial Permit pursuant to the Commercial Permits Regulations 2024. 2. Application These Rules apply to: (a) subject to Rule 1(2)(a), every person that is, on the date of publication of these Rules, conducting an Activity at the Premises; and (b) every person that intends to conduct an Activity at the Premises. 3. Registrar’s authority (1) The Registrar shall be the sole authority to issue a Temporary Activity Permit. (2) The Registrar shall set the conditions to be met to obtain and maintain an Temporary Activity Permit. (3) The Registrar may, in its discretion, determine the period of validity of the Temporary Activity Permit. (4) Subject to Part 3 of the Regulations, the Registrar may, in its sole discretion, suspend or revoke any Temporary Activity Permit issued under subsection (1) of this Rule. (5) The Registrar may, at its sole discretion, impose any conditions, limitations or restrictions on a Temporary Activity Permit issued by the Registrar under these Rules. (6) The Registrar may issue guidance to supplement these Rules. (7) The Registrar may inspect the Premises to ensure compliance with these Rules and the Regulations. 4. General requirements A person who seeks to conduct an Activity at the Premises must obtain a Temporary Activity Permit before conducting an Activity. 5. Application for a Temporary Activity Permit (1) An application for a Temporary Activity Permit may be made to the Registrar by a person. (2) An applicant for a Temporary Activity Permit must: (a) if a body corporate, sole proprietorship or partnership:

Consultation Paper No. 11 of 2025 Appendix 2 3 (i) be a Licensed Person; or (ii) hold a valid commercial licence issued by a Competent Body and be Temporary Commercial Permit holder; (b) complete an application in the form prescribed by the Registrar from time to time in accordance with the requirements of these Rules, and any guidance issued under these Rules, and submit that application to the Registrar with any other information in writing as may from time to time be required by the Registrar; (c) provide the Registrar with a no objection letter issued by the landlord of the Premises permitting the Activity at the Premises, if applicable; (d) provide the Registrar with any additional information it may require; and (e) pay such fee or fees in connection with the application as set out in rules made by the Board. (3) When reviewing an application for a Temporary Activity Permit, the Registrar may take into account: (a) matters of public health and safety; (b) location of the Premises and the surrounding environment; (c) matters of cultural sensitivity; and (d) any other matter that the Registrar deems relevant. (4) An applicant may withdraw the application by giving the Registrar written notice at any time before the Registrar determines it. (5) Failing to obtain a Temporary Activity Permit prior to commencing the Activity at the Premises will be considered a contravention of these Rules and any such person conducting an Activity at the Premises without a Temporary Activity Permit may be liable to a fine not exceeding level 8 on the Fines Scale for each contravention. 6. Variation or cancellation of a Temporary Activity Permit (1) The Registrar may, on application of a Temporary Activity Permit holder, cancel or vary the Temporary Activity Permit. (2) An application for the variation of a Temporary Activity Permit must comply with, and will be subject to, Rule 5. (3) The Registrar may refuse an application for variation under this section if it appears to it that it is desirable to do so in the interests of the Abu Dhabi Global Market. 7. General conditions of Temporary Activity Permits (1) A Temporary Activity Permit holder must at all times– (a) be a Licensed Person; or

Consultation Paper No. 11 of 2025 Appendix 2 4 (b) hold a valid commercial licence issued by a Competent Body and be a Temporary Commercial Permit holder; and (c) comply with any conditions of the Temporary Activity Permit issued by the Registrar. (2) Failure to comply with these Rules may result in a contravention pursuant to the Regulations. 8. Discontinuance of Activity Where a Temporary Activity Permit has been suspended or revoked by the Registrar, the Temporary Activity Permit holder must immediately discontinue the Activity at the Premises or the Temporary Activity Permit holder will be liable to a fine not exceeding level 8 on the Fines Scale.