Sharjah has started issuing special permits allowing food preparation and display during the holy month of Ramadan, with fees ranging up to Dh3,000, the municipality said on Tuesday.
The permits enable licensed establishments to prepare and process meals during daytime hours and display food before iftar throughout Ramadan. One category covers food preparation and sales outlets, including displays inside shopping malls, and is issued at a fee of Dh3,000.
Under this permit, restaurants aren’t allowed to receive customers inside dining halls during the day. All food preparation and cooking must be done strictly within licensed kitchens.
A separate permit, costing Dh500, applies to displaying food in front of shops before iftar. This option is available to restaurants, cafeterias, sweet shops, and ruqaq bakeries.
Sharjah Municipality has outlined several conditions for outdoor food display. Food must be placed on non-sandy front pavements and stored in non-rusting metal containers. Displays must use sealed glass cases with a minimum height of 100 centimeters and be fitted with sliding or hinged doors. Food items must be covered and packaged using food-grade materials such as aluminum foil or transparent plastic and kept at appropriate temperatures, without refrigeration or freezing. All food must be prepared within the licensed establishment.
The municipality said the measures are aimed at regulating food safety, maintaining public hygiene, and ensuring compliance with Ramadan-related regulations across the emirate.
Eligible businesses can apply for the permits through the Commercial Establishment Permit Services section on the Sharjah Municipality website.
