June 10, 2023

Deciphering Trakhees Regulations: A Guide to Building Approval and Architectural Design in Dubai

The Trakhees Department of Planning and Development is responsible for regulating and licensing businesses and developments in special development zones in Dubai. The department is made up of six service sections, including Civil Engineering, Licensing, Inspection, Innovation and Excellence, Business Support, Research, and Development. These regulations set minimum architectural design requirements for all types of developments, including residential, commercial, recreational, industrial, and institutional developments, which require approval from the authority.

Dubai prides itself on offering premium properties and an exceptional lifestyle. To maintain this standard, authorities like Trakhees adhere to the country's environmental standards and regulations. These approval regulations and standards ensure that buildings and infrastructure developments within their respective jurisdictions are integrated with the natural environment, enhancing land and property values, and promoting the health, safety, and well-being of the community.

Requirements for Submittal of Architectural Design for Trakhees Approval

All submittals must follow a custom PDF format and be bound in a single sequence. Each page of the file must be saved in a unified size and direction, and the title block presentation must comply with Trakhees approval standards. The Architectural Drawings Submission process consists of three main stages: the Concept Design Stage, the Building Permit Stage, and the Revision Stage.

Concept Design Stage

Project Registration on e-Permit.
Before submitting Concept Design Drawings for Trakhees approval, the project must be registered on e-Permit to acquire a project ID.

Concept Design Documents and Drawings

Documentation

Title sheet as per Authority standards, including the project name, owner's name, plot number, coverage area, car park, total built-up area, schedule of accumulated area, coloured perspectives, etc.
A brief project description of the design theme, building usage, anticipated building population, and environmental impact on surroundings.
Set of documents, including the affection plan, consultant's appointment letter, trade license, and other required documents. For resubmission, the Authority's previous comments should be included.
Title sheet, coloured perspectives, detailed area calculations sheet, and main setting out or development plans, all with the owner's signature.
Population and facilities calculation for the project.
All measurements and calculations must be in the Metric System.
Consultant's stamp and signature must appear on every page of digital drawings.
Detailed area calculation, including floor layout for all floors, highlighting gross, service, net, and total built-up areas.
Criteria and calculation for parking, garbage, and sanitation provisions as per standards and regulations.

Architectural Drawings

All architectural drawing layouts must provide detailed information, such as dimensions, levels, slopes, furniture, etc. If drawings are not accommodated on one sheet, a key plan must be submitted with a partial drawing layout highlighting the enlarged portion.

Layout Plan
Setting Out Plan
Plans
Elevations
Sections
Detailed Area Calculation
Coloured Perspective Images
Traffic Study
Schematic Landscape Plan
Topographical Plan

Building Permit Stage

Architectural and structural drawings, including calculations, as well as service drawings for mechanical, electrical, water supply, drainage, etc., must conform to Trakhees approval and relevant authority codes. The building permit proposal must accurately present the following requirements. To comply with the requirements for the Concept Design Stage, the following documents are necessary, in addition to

An approval letter from the Authority for the Concept Design.
A No Objection Certificate issued by the relevant authorities.
Verification of the provisions in the Environment, Health, and Safety - EHS Regulation.

Architectural Drawings

Layout Plan
Setting Out Plan
Plans
Elevations
Sections
Fences and Walls
Schedule of External and Internal Finishing Materials
Necessary Construction Details

Landscape Drawings

Typographical Drawings
Detailed Drawings of Utilit
Garbage Calculations and Drawings

Environmental and Traffic Impact Assessments

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
Traffic Impact Assessment (TIA)
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
Traffic Impact Assessment (TIA)

For the Revision Stage

Any modifications from previously approved drawings during the construction stage require submission of revised architectural drawings along with approved drawings by the Authority before issuing the Building Completion Certificate - BCC. If a submission is a revision or an alteration during the construction stage, registration on e-permit is unnecessary, but a soft copy of revised drawings with documents must be submitted.

The documentation required includes

A title sheet with the project name and Owner's name, plot number, accumulated area schedule, total built-up, car park areas, coverage area, and other necessary features with revisions highlighted from the approved version.
Document sheets that include the affection plan, consultant's appointment letter, trade license, building permit letter, and other necessary documents.
A title sheet revised detailed area calculations sheet, and main setting out or development plans with the Owner's signature.
The consultant's stamp and signature must appear on every sheet of digital drawings.
If the revisions involve the car park area, garbage, and sanitation, including the revised calculations and criteria, they must be re-submitted highlighting the changes from the approved documents.

The following requirements apply for Architectural Drawings

The affected areas on the previously approved drawings must be highlighted in yellow, and the revised areas in red.
Any revision must be submitted on every related drawing, such as plan, section, and details.
A copy of the latest approved architectural drawings by the Authority must be attached for reference.
The scale of the drawings must be as per Trakhees standards.