Apply for a Landscape Architecture Services Business License in Dubai

Dubai's rapid urban expansion and billion-dollar infrastructure pipeline are creating sustained demand for qualified landscape architecture firms across the emirate. Securing a Landscape Architecture Services Business License (Activity Code 7110.44) at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone gives professionals a compliant, cost-efficient base to serve one of the Gulf's most active construction markets.

Key Facts at a Glance

• Activity Code: 7110.44 | Licence Type: Business Licence | Category: Professional

• 100% foreign ownership permitted under Dubai South Free Zone rules

• UAE construction sector projected to exceed USD 140 billion by 2030

• Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan targets 60% of Dubai's land as green and open space

• Zero corporate tax on qualifying free zone income up to applicable thresholds

• Flexi-desk options available, no mandatory physical office in early stages

Dubai's Landscape Architecture Market at a Glance

The UAE construction sector continues on a strong growth trajectory, with project pipelines across residential, hospitality, and infrastructure segments driving consistent demand for outdoor environment specialists. Government policy is a key accelerant: the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan explicitly targets the expansion of green corridors, parks, and sustainable urban zones, making landscape architecture a regulated priority rather than an optional add-on.

Developer appetite for high-quality parks, resort landscaping, streetscapes, and waterfront environments is rising sharply, particularly across the Dubai South precinct. Firms licensed within the Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone benefit from direct proximity to Expo City Dubai, the Al Maktoum International Airport expansion, and the emirate's primary logistics corridors. This geographic positioning places licence holders within reach of some of the largest active development zones in the region, shortening the distance between a consultancy and its most valuable clients.

What the Landscape Architecture Services Licence Covers

Activity Code 7110.44 encompasses the planning, design, and advisory services applied to outdoor and built environments. As a Professional category Business Licence, it authorises firms to offer a broad scope of services including site analysis, landscape master planning, planting scheme design, irrigation system design, and environmental impact assessments related to green space and outdoor environments.

The permitted activities align with the internationally recognised scope of landscape architecture practice, covering both soft landscaping consultancy and the technical advisory components of larger construction projects. It is important to note that activities involving structural engineering, civil works, or building design fall outside this licence's scope. Where a project requires those disciplines, additional activity registrations or collaboration with separately licensed entities may be necessary. Firms delivering work on government-contracted sites or regulated public spaces may also need project-level approvals from relevant authorities, which are separate from the business licence itself.

Who This Licence Is Suited To

This licence is well suited to a wide range of professionals and organisations seeking a regulated UAE presence in the landscape and urban design sector:

• Qualified landscape architects and urban designers seeking a compliant UAE base from which to operate independently

• International design consultancies looking to establish a GCC foothold and access regional project pipelines

• Sole practitioners and small professional studios that benefit from the free zone's flexible setup structure

• Firms targeting government infrastructure clients, hospitality developers, master-planned residential communities, and transport corridor projects across the region

Setup Costs, Steps, and Compliance Requirements

Setting up under Activity Code 7110.44 at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone involves a clear, structured process. Licence and registration fees vary depending on the package selected, the number of visa allocations required, and the workspace option chosen. Indicative first-year costs typically cover the free zone registration fee, the business licence fee, and any applicable establishment card charges. Prospective applicants are advised to request a current fee schedule directly from the free zone authority, as pricing is updated periodically.

One of the most commercially significant features of the Dubai South Free Zone is that it permits 100% foreign ownership, removing the requirement for a local Emirati partner that applies in many mainland jurisdictions. The step-by-step process generally follows this sequence:

• Trade name reservation and activity confirmation

• Submission of the formal licence application

• Provision of the required document pack, including passport copies, professional qualification certificates, a business plan, and a No Objection Certificate where applicable

• Review and approval by the free zone authority

• Licence issuance and establishment card activation

Ongoing compliance obligations include annual licence renewal, maintenance of professional indemnity insurance appropriate to the consultancy's project exposure, and management of visa quotas linked to the chosen office package. Flexi-desk arrangements are available for firms in early stages, meaning a dedicated physical office is not a prerequisite for initial licence issuance.

Regulatory and Professional Approvals

The business licence authorises the firm to operate; however, project delivery within the UAE may require additional approvals. Dubai Municipality oversees landscape-related submissions on regulated sites, and compliance with its technical requirements is a separate obligation from free zone licensing. Where professional engineers are engaged, alignment with UAE Engineers and Technicians Classification standards may apply. Firms should also be aware of the distinction between operating under the free zone authority's jurisdiction and the considerations involved if they wish to take on mainland contracts directly, which may involve a dual-licence arrangement.

Why Dubai Is Well-Positioned for Landscape Architecture Services

Dubai functions as a strategic gateway to the GCC, broader MENA region, and South Asian project markets, making it a logical hub for design consultancies with regional ambitions. The tax environment is a material advantage: qualifying free zone businesses benefit from zero corporate tax on eligible income up to applicable thresholds under the UAE's corporate tax framework, which came into effect in 2023.

The UAE's legal framework provides strong intellectual property protection and a transparent commercial environment governed by federal law, which is important for firms whose primary assets are design concepts and technical documentation. The Dubai South corridor is home to a growing concentration of major developers, government project entities, and international engineering consultancies, giving licence holders natural access to the networks and procurement channels that drive project wins in this market.

Conclusion

A Landscape Architecture Services Business Licence under Activity Code 7110.44 at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone offers a straightforward, ownership-friendly route into one of the region's most active design and construction markets. The combination of 100% foreign ownership, a professional licence structure, flexible workspace options, and proximity to Dubai's largest development zones makes this an attractive proposition for both established consultancies and independent practitioners. Begin your licence application today and position your practice at the heart of Dubai's next phase of urban growth.

References

• Dubai South Free Zone Official Website

• Dubai Municipality Official Portal

• UAE Corporate Tax Framework, Federal Tax Authority

• Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, Dubai Urban Planning Authority

• UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment