In Dubai, painting and basic maintenance need no Dubai Municipality permit. Minor structural repairs need a self-maintenance permit, issued instantly through the Building Permit System. Alterations, extensions and changes of use need a full building or modification permit from the authority for your area, and in master communities a developer NOC comes first. Fit-out in Dubai Development Authority areas costs AED 0.90 per sq ft, from AED 200 to AED 10,000.
Which jobs need which permit?
| Job | Dubai Municipality permit | Who applies | Also check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Painting inside or outside, basic maintenance | None needed (since August 2023) | No one | Developer rules on exterior colours |
| Non-structural fixes such as replacing floor finishes | None needed | No one | Building management rules for apartments (working hours, debris) |
| Minor structural repairs (cracks, small concrete repairs) | Self-maintenance permit, issued instantly | Landowner, contractor or consultant | Developer NOC in master communities |
| Alterations, extensions, new openings, structural changes | Building or modification permit | Consultant, with a registered contractor | Developer NOC first; Civil Defence for fire systems |
| Fit-out in a Dubai Development Authority area | DDA fit-out permit (not Dubai Municipality) | The contractor | Building owner NOC; Civil Defence completion |
Not sure which authority covers your community? Use the which authority approves my job lookup.
What is the self-maintenance permit?
Dubai Municipality launched the Building Self-Maintenance Permit in August 2023. It turned traditional maintenance permits into self-issued ones for minor structural problems, with no municipal engineer inspection. Landowners, contracting businesses and consultants can apply.
- Log in to the Dubai Building Permit System on the Dubai Municipality website.
- Upload a structural method statement and a photo of the building as it is now.
- Pay the fee, then print the permit.
Reported fees at launch were AED 100 for a private villa, AED 250 for a ground-floor building, and AED 250 plus AED 100 per extra floor for multi-storey buildings. Check the current fee in the Building Permit System before you apply.
How much is a DDA fit-out permit?
In areas run by the Dubai Development Authority (for example Dubai Studio City and other DDA zones), fit-out works need a DDA fit-out permit, applied for by the contractor.
| Item | Official figure |
|---|---|
| Fee | AED 0.90 per sq ft |
| Minimum and maximum | AED 200 minimum, AED 10,000 maximum |
| Other fees | AED 10 Knowledge Dirham and AED 10 Innovation Dirham per transaction |
| Processing time | 2 working days (estimate) |
| Validity | 6 months |
Documents include the contractor appointment letter, Ejari, the building owner's NOC, NOCs from other authorities as required, and stamped drawings. Adding structure, floor area or a change of use needs a building modification request instead, and DDA does not refund fit-out fees if it decides the job should have been a modification.
When do you need a licensed contractor?
You can paint or do basic maintenance yourself. Once a job needs a permit, the application normally comes from a licensed contractor or consultant. Since Dubai Law No. 7 of 2025 came into force on 8 January 2026, contractors must be on Dubai Municipality's Contractor Register, and clients may not engage one that is not. See how to choose a contractor and how to check a contractor licence.
Approvals that come before the permit
- Villas in master communities: the developer's NOC, for example Emaar or Nakheel.
- Apartments: the building management or owners' association NOC, plus its working hours and debris rules.
- Outdoor structures: see pergola and carport approvals.
All approvals by community are in our approvals dataset.
Sources
- Dubai Media Office: Dubai Municipality launches new service (13 August 2023)
- Arabian Business: Dubai announces new self-permit application service for minor building repairs (14 August 2023)
- Dubai Development Authority: Fit-out permit
- Al Tamimi & Co: A new era for contractors in Dubai, Law No. 7 of 2025
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Rules change and vary by community and authority: confirm with the authority or your consultant before you start work.