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Authority approvals

Dubai Development Authority (DDA) Approvals

We handle DDA design approvals, building modification approvals, fit out permits and completion certificates for offices, retail units, clinics and buildings in DDA communities. We coordinate the landlord approval, the DDA submission and the Civil Defence approval as one sequence.

  • Authority ready drawings prepared by our engineers
  • Submissions, comments and follow up handled for you
  • Through to permit, NOC or completion certificate
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Modern office interior after fit out
Overview

How DDA approvals work

The Dubai Development Authority (DDA) regulates planning and building in its communities, including Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City, Dubai Knowledge Park and Dubai Science Park, among others. DDA reviews architectural, structural and MEP designs against the approved master plan and its regulations.

DDA services include preliminary and final design approval, building modification design approval, design revisions, the fit out permit and the fit out completion certificate. The fit out permit is applied for by the contractor and needs approved drawings, the Ejari, the building owner NOC and the relevant authority NOCs. A Civil Defence completion certificate is needed before the DDA fit out completion certificate.

Projects we handle

  • Office fit outs in DDA communities
  • Retail, F&B and clinic fit outs
  • Building modifications and extensions
  • New building design approvals
  • Design revisions and as built updates
  • Fit out completion certificates
In detail

What to know before you start

DDA construction permits for new buildings

New buildings in DDA communities follow design approval and then a set of construction permits. The permits needed depend on the project and its programme.

  • Mobilisation permit
  • Excavation permit
  • Shoring permit
  • Piling permit
  • Sub-structure permit
  • Final building permit
Process

Approval stages

The exact steps depend on the scope and the plot. This is the usual sequence we manage.

  1. Landlord approval

    We prepare the drawing set for the landlord or master developer, for example TECOM Group, and obtain the building owner NOC.

  2. DDA design or fit out submission

    The drawings and documents are submitted on the DDA e-services portal and comments are addressed.

  3. Civil Defence approval

    Fire and life safety drawings are approved by Dubai Civil Defence in parallel where required.

  4. Fit out permit

    DDA issues the fit out permit to the appointed contractor once the package is accepted and fees are paid.

  5. Completion

    After works and the DCD completion, we apply for the DDA fit out completion certificate.

Documents

Typical documents

  • Tenancy contract and Ejari (for tenant works)
  • Landlord or building management NOC
  • Trade licence of the tenant (for commercial premises)
  • Proposed architectural, structural and MEP drawings
  • Fire and life safety drawings where systems are added or altered
  • Contractor appointment letter and contractor trade licence
  • NOCs from relevant authorities
Our scope

What we do

  • Jurisdiction and feasibility check before any spend
  • Drawing preparation, or review and conversion of your consultant's drawings
  • Landlord, master developer and authority submissions, made through appropriately registered professionals where required
  • Responses to authority comments and resubmissions
  • Coordination of inspections with your contractor
  • Permit, NOC and completion documents handed over to you

Every authority has its own checklist and it changes from time to time. We send you the exact list for your project after the first review.

FAQ

DDA approval questions

Which areas fall under DDA?

DDA regulates a group of communities that includes Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City, Dubai Knowledge Park and Dubai Science Park, among others. We check the plot and building before any submission.

Is TECOM approval the same as DDA approval?

No. TECOM Group is the landlord or master developer in many of these communities and gives its own approval of tenant works. DDA is the regulator that issues the permit. Most office fit outs need both. See our TECOM approvals page for the landlord side.

Who applies for the DDA fit out permit?

The fit out contractor applies, with an appointment letter from the tenant. We prepare the documents and manage the application for the contractor.

Do I need Civil Defence approval for a DDA fit out?

In most cases yes. DDA asks for the Civil Defence completion certificate before issuing its fit out completion certificate.

Can you handle DDA building modification approvals?

Yes. We prepare the modification drawings and handle the DDA building modification design approval and any related permits.

Have drawings or an authority comment sheet?Send them on WhatsApp and an engineer will tell you what is needed next.
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Share the plot or unit location and a short description of the works. An engineer reviews it and replies with the approval route and a quotation.

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  1. We review your scope and location
  2. We confirm the authority, approvals and documents
  3. You receive a clear quotation

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