His Excellency Minister of Municipality Abdullah bin Hamad bin Abdullah Al Attiyah issued a decision amending certain provisions of Ministerial Decision No. (7) of 1989 concerning architectural requirements and technical specifications for buildings.The amendments include more than 20 new updates to the regulations governing residential villas and palaces, enhancing construction flexibility and residential expansion, meeting the needs of Qatari families, and keeping pace with modern urban development.The Ministry of Municipality said on Sunday that the amendments were introduced in response to the current and future needs of citizens to provide more flexible options for designing and developing homes while preserving family privacy, maintaining the quality of the urban environment, and safeguarding the country's architectural identity.The Ministry explained that these amendments represent one of the most extensive reviews of residential villa and palace requirements in recent years after a comprehensive study of citizens’ needs and the challenges associated with residential construction, contributing to greater family stability and the optimal use of residential plots.The updates included increasing the maximum height of residential villas to 16 meters, including the penthouse/roof structure, updating palace height limits to range between 17 and 25 meters, depending on the size of the plot and the approved architectural elements, and introducing, for the first time, the possibility of constructing one internal mezzanine floor in villas and palaces.The new regulations also allow the ground floor of a villa to be extended up to the neighboring property boundary, subject to specific controls. They further permit first-floor extensions above the external majlis (guest reception hall) or annexes, as well as the creation of an independent internal suite for a family member.The amendments include permitting an increase in the height of the external majlis to between 7.5 and 10 meters, with the option of adding a mezzanine floor. They also allow the addition of a first floor to an external annex with a height of up to 7.5 meters. In addition, the regulations permit the construction of a separate internal service staircase for domestic workers and maintenance activities.As part of maximizing the efficient use of residential plots, the amendments reduce several architectural setback requirements. This allows the first floor of a villa to project up to 2 meters into the front setback area and reduces side and rear setbacks in accordance with carefully considered planning controls. The amendments also permit decorative architectural projections for villas and palaces.The updated regulations also take into account privacy and quality of life requirements by raising the maximum height of villa walls to 3.40 meters and palace walls to 5 meters, and allowing the installation of mail and order boxes on the exterior walls of residences according to specific technical specifications.The Ministry of Municipality confirmed that the new regulations will be applied uniformly across all municipalities, ensuring standardized planning and architectural procedures and criteria nationwide. It noted that the regulations will come into effect from the date of publication of the decision in the Official Gazette.The Ministry added that it will organize an introductory workshop for consultants and specialized engineering firms to review the new updates, explain their implementation mechanisms, and answer technical inquiries. This will ensure the optimal application of the regulations and the achievement of their objectives, supporting quality of life and urban sustainability, in line with the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030.

The Qatar Central Bank (QCB) announced changes to the fifth series of the 5, 10, and 50 riyal denominations, in line with the laws in force in the State of Qatar.According to a statement published by the QCB on the platform X, the changes include the official state emblem, the Arabic numerals, and the issue date.QCB clarified that the prior edition of the 5, 10, and 50 riyal denominations (Fifth Series) issued before these changes will remain in circulation without any effect. These changes will be applied to other currency denominations at a later time.

Qatari families can now build higher, extend further and reshape their homes more freely under sweeping new rules approved by the Minister of Municipality.His Excellency Abdullah bin Hamad bin Abdullah al-Attiyah has issued a decision overhauling the 1989 regulations on architectural standards for buildings, introducing more than 20 changes to the rules governing residential villas and palaces. The aim, the minister's ministry said Sunday, is to give citizens more flexible options for designing and expanding their homes while protecting family privacy and the country's architectural character.The ministry described the move as one of the most extensive reviews of villa and palace requirements in years, following a full study of what families need and the difficulties they face when building. The goal, it said, is greater family stability and better use of residential plots.The headline changes affect how high homes can rise. Villas may now reach 16 metres, including the rooftop structure, while palaces can stand between 17 and 25 metres depending on plot size and design. For the first time, owners may add a single internal mezzanine floor inside villas and palaces.The rules also free up how homes can be laid out. A villa's ground floor can now be extended right up to the neighbouring boundary, subject to controls, and a first floor may be built above the external majlis, the guest reception hall, or over annexes. Families may also create a self-contained internal suite for a relative, and a separate service staircase for domestic staff and maintenance.The external majlis itself can rise to between 7.5 and 10 metres, with the option of a mezzanine, and an external annex may gain a first floor of up to 7.5 metres.To make fuller use of plots, several setback rules have been eased: a villa's first floor may now project up to two metres into the front setback, with side and rear setbacks reduced under planning controls. Decorative architectural projections are also allowed.On privacy, villa boundary walls may now reach 3.40 metres and palace walls five metres. Homeowners may also fit mail and delivery boxes to their outer walls under set specifications.The ministry said the rules will apply uniformly across all municipalities and take effect once the decision is published in the Official Gazette. A workshop will be held for consultants and engineering firms to explain how the changes will be put into practice, in line with the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030.The Qatar Society of Engineers (QSE) welcomed the decision, numbered (108) of 2026, calling it a significant step towards improving the residential environment and offering families more flexible solutions in step with modern living.In a statement Sunday, the society said the higher villas, mezzanine floors, expanded annexes and reception areas, eased setbacks and regulated extensions would together help citizens make the best use of their land while balancing privacy, comfort and functionality.QSE said it supported all efforts to develop the construction and housing sector, and thanked the ministry for its work in keeping building regulations abreast of the country's urban growth.Its board chairperson, Eng Amna Mohammed al-Naama, said the changes reflected an advanced vision of urban planning attuned to the real needs of the Qatari family. The greater design flexibility, she said, would promote quality of life and family stability and spare residents complex or costly building solutions.Allowing mezzanine floors, ancillary structures and reception areas, along with an independent internal suite for a family member and the new rules on heights and setbacks, would let engineers and consulting offices produce more creative and efficient designs, al-Naama added. This, she said, would keep pace with the nation's urban development and raise both functional and investment value, in line with Qatar National Vision 2030.The ministry said the rules will apply uniformly across all municipalities and take effect once the decision is published in the Official Gazette. A workshop will be held for consultants and engineering firms to explain how the changes will be put into practice.