A Dubai fit-out is approved in this order: landlord consent, then the permit from the authority for the area (Dubai Municipality on the mainland, the DDA, Trakhees or the free zone), then Civil Defence for fire systems, DEWA if the power load changes, and finally a completion certificate. The contractor or consultant submits, not the tenant. Mainland and DDA units of 100 sq m or less, and mall units, need no authority permit.
The data behind this guide: our open dataset fit-out approvals by jurisdiction in Dubai lists, for 11 jurisdictions, the approving body, the permit as the body names it, who submits, the Civil Defence step, and the published timing and fee, with a source for every cell and a CSV download.
What is the order of fit-out approvals in Dubai?
Landlord first, then the authority for the area, then Civil Defence and DEWA where the scope needs them, then completion.
- Landlord or building owner consent: NOC or written consent; free zone landlords apply their own fit-out manual (Tenant asks; landlord issues)
- Permit from the authority for the area: Dubai Municipality, DDA, Trakhees or the free zone process (Approved contractor or consultant submits)
- Civil Defence approval: Fire alarm, sprinklers and fire safety, where the body requires it (Contractor)
- DEWA, if power or water changes: Load increase, new meters or a fit-out connection (Contractor or consultant)
- Inspection and completion certificate: Then the unit can open for business (Contractor applies; authority or landlord issues)
- Landlord consent. Every route starts here. Dubai Municipality needs the written consent of the unit's owner; the DDA asks for an NOC; DMCC companies request an NOC to Concordia on the DMCC member portal; DIFC tenants follow the Fit-Out Manual referred to in their lease, issued on the DIFC Client Portal.
- Authority permit. On the mainland, a contractor on Dubai Municipality's approved list gets an instant self permit for decoration works in units over 100 sq m. In DDA zones the contractor applies for the Fit-Out Permit. In Trakhees areas any modification or fit-out of a completed facility needs a Modification Permit. JAFZA adds a Modification NOC before the Trakhees permit.
- Civil Defence. Dubai Municipality's resolution requires Civil Defence conditions to be met for every decoration job, permit or not. The DDA will not issue its completion certificate without the Dubai Civil Defence completion certificate.
- DEWA. Only if the scope changes the load or needs new meters. Dubai Municipality issues a free NOC addressed to DEWA for more current or new meters in 2 working days; DEWA's own fit-out connection is applied for by the contractor or consultant.
- Completion. The contractor applies for the completion certificate (DDA: estimated 2 working days, no fee listed; Dubai Municipality: through its building completion service). Free-zone landlords also want as-built drawings, test certificates and warranties.
Who approves fit-out in each part of Dubai?
It depends on the jurisdiction the building sits in, not the emirate. Summary from the dataset; the full table with fees, notes and a source per cell is at fit-out approvals by jurisdiction.
| Jurisdiction | Approving body | Permit, as the body names it | Who submits | Published timing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai Municipality (mainland) | Dubai Municipality | Self Permit to Carry Out Decorative Works (decoration works permit, units over 100 sq m) | Contractor on the Dubai Municipality approved list (building contracting or decor company) | Instant (self permit) |
| Dubai Development Authority (DDA) | Dubai Development Authority | Fit-Out Permit | Fit-out contractor appointed by the tenant | 2 working days (estimated) |
| Trakhees (PCFC areas) | Trakhees, Civil Engineering Department (Modification & Compliance) | Modification Permit | Consultant or contractor, online through Trakhees | 7 working days from payment approval (target) |
| DMCC | DMCC (NOC), then Concordia for the fit-out | Request for NOC to Concordia - Fit-out | DMCC company or the property owner (for the NOC) | Not published |
| DIFC | DIFC Investments (landlord), under its Fit-Out Manual | Not published | Tenant, through the DIFC Client Portal | Not published |
| JAFZA | Jafza (Modification NOC), Trakhees (modification permit) and Civil Defence for major fit-out | Modification NOC - Jafza Offices & Retail Units (or Jafza Warehouses) | Tenant's fit-out consultant or contractor, through the tenant's Dubai Trade account | Modification NOC 3 working days; first review 2 working days |
| Dubai South | Dubai South (Dubai World Central Corporation) | Fit-out Work Permit (with a Fit-out HSEQ NOC) | Contractor registered with Dubai South; locally registered consultant for design | Not published |
| Dubai Airport Freezone (DAFZA) | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) | DWTC Authority, under its Authority Fit-Out Policy | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO) | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Expo City Dubai | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published |
"Not published" means the body's own website or documents did not state it when we checked on 3 November 2026. We do not fill gaps from other zones. Not sure which jurisdiction your building is in? Use which authority approves.
Do small office fit-outs need a permit?
On the mainland and in DDA zones, not if the unit is 100 sq m or less or is inside a shopping mall. The work must still meet Civil Defence conditions, have the owner's written consent and stay inside the unit's boundaries; Dubai Municipality still requires an approved contractor, and the DDA a Dubai-licensed fit-out contractor. In DDA zones, painting, non-structural demolition, like-for-like ceilings, furniture, flooring, low partitions and reinstatement need only the landlord's or facilities manager's NOC or permit to work. Structural changes, a change of use, a mezzanine or merging units need a building modification permit instead.
Who signs and submits the fit-out application?
The contractor, in most places; the tenant appoints them and provides the lease and consent.
| Step | Who submits | Body |
|---|---|---|
| Decoration works permit (units over 100 sq m) | Contractor on Dubai Municipality's approved list | Dubai Municipality |
| Fit-Out Permit and completion certificate | Fit-out contractor appointed by the tenant | DDA |
| Modification Permit | Consultant or contractor, online | Trakhees |
| Modification NOC | Tenant's fit-out consultant or contractor, through the tenant's Dubai Trade account | JAFZA |
| NOC to Concordia, fit-out | The DMCC company or the property owner | DMCC |
| Fit-out drawings and Work Permit | Tenant's designers for drawings; Dubai South-registered contractor for the permit and government approvals | Dubai South |
Whoever submits must be properly registered: since 8 January 2026 contractors working anywhere in Dubai, free zones included, must be on the Contractor Register under Law No. 7 of 2025 (what that means); who does what between designer and contractor is in fit-out contractor, interior designer or design-build. The DDA also registers the consultants and contractors who submit in its zones (AED 250 a year, 2 working days).
What documents does a fit-out permit need?
For a DDA Fit-Out Permit: the permit request, the tenant's appointment letter for the contractor, the Ejari, NOCs from the relevant authorities, and approved stamped and proposed drawings. Other bodies ask for similar papers, and free-zone landlords add their own.
- From you, the tenant: the lease or Ejari, the landlord's NOC or written consent, appointment letters for the designer and contractor, your trade licence, and any fit-out deposit the landlord asks for (Dubai South takes an undated security cheque).
- From the designer: the fit-out drawing set (layout, ceilings, MEP, fire), stamped where the body requires it, and the programme.
- From the contractor: trade licence and registration, insurance (Dubai South lists contractor's all risks, public liability and workers' compensation), risk assessment and HSE plan, Civil Defence and DEWA approvals.
- At completion: the Civil Defence completion certificate, test and commissioning certificates, as-built drawings, operation and maintenance manuals and warranties.
Before you sign a fit-out contract
Write down who applies for each approval and who pays the fees, because quotes often leave it out. Approval fees vary: the DDA charges AED 0.90 per sq ft (minimum AED 200, maximum AED 10,000) plus AED 20; most free zones publish no fee. For what the works themselves cost, see office fit-out cost per sq ft; to line up two or three quotes, use the quote comparison tool. For homes rather than offices, see villa renovation approvals.
Questions
Who approves a fit-out in Dubai?
The landlord first, then the authority for the area: Dubai Municipality on the mainland, the Dubai Development Authority in zones such as Dubai Internet City and Media City, Trakhees in PCFC and Nakheel areas, and the free zone's own process in DMCC, JAFZA, DIFC or Dubai South. Civil Defence and DEWA follow where the works touch fire systems or power.
Do I need a permit for a small office fit-out?
Not from Dubai Municipality or the DDA if the unit is 100 sq m or less, or is in a shopping mall. The works must still meet Civil Defence conditions and have the owner's written consent, and in the DDA a licensed fit-out contractor must do them.
Who applies for the fit-out permit, the tenant or the contractor?
The contractor, in most places. Dubai Municipality takes applications only from a contractor on its approved list, and the DDA names the fit-out contractor as the requester. Trakhees and JAFZA accept the consultant or contractor; in DMCC the company or owner requests the NOC.
How long does fit-out approval take in Dubai?
Published service times: Dubai Municipality's decoration self permit is instant, the DDA Fit-Out Permit is an estimated 2 working days, Trakhees targets 7 working days from payment, and the JAFZA Modification NOC takes 3 working days. Landlord, Civil Defence and DEWA steps come on top.
Do I need Civil Defence approval for a fit-out?
Usually yes. Dubai Municipality requires Civil Defence conditions to be met, the DDA asks for the Dubai Civil Defence completion certificate before its own, JAFZA lists Civil Defence initial approval for major fit-out, and Dubai South names Civil Defence for fire and LPG.
What documents does a fit-out permit need?
For the DDA: the permit request, the tenant's appointment letter for the contractor, the Ejari, NOCs from the relevant authorities, and approved stamped and proposed drawings. Dubai Municipality needs the owner's written consent. Free-zone manuals add insurance, method statements and a deposit.
Keep going
Sources
- Dubai Legislation Portal: Administrative Resolution No. (85) of 2019 Concerning the Licensing of Decoration Works: permit over 100 sq m by a DM-listed contractor, mall and small-unit exemption, Civil Defence and owner consent (Articles 2 to 4), opened 3 November 2026
- Dubai Municipality: services list: instant self permit for decorative works, free NOC to DEWA in 2 working days, completion certificate for decor permits, opened 3 November 2026
- Dubai Development Authority: Fit-Out Permit: requester contractor, documents, 2 working days, fee, opened 3 November 2026
- Dubai Development Authority: Fit-Out Completion Certificate: Civil Defence completion certificate required, opened 3 November 2026
- Dubai Development Authority: Circular 338 (11 December 2019): no permit for units of 100 sq m or less or in malls; building modification permit for structural changes and Circular 318 (5 May 2019): works needing only a landlord NOC, opened 3 November 2026
- Dubai Development Authority: Consultant or contractor registration: AED 250, 2 working days, valid one year, opened 3 November 2026
- PCFC Trakhees: Client Procedure for obtaining Modification Permits (Rev. 02, September 2024), opened 3 November 2026
- DMCC: Application Guideline 2.1.2, Request for NOC to Concordia, fit-out, opened 3 November 2026
- Jafza: Fit-out Manual (August 2024): Modification NOC, Civil Defence initial approval, Trakhees permit, consultants and contractors, DEWA meters, opened 3 November 2026
- Dubai South: Tenant Fit-Out Manual v1.3 (January 2017): submissions by tenant's designers and contractor, deposit, insurance, completion documents, opened 3 November 2026
- dubizzle: Getting electricity fit-out connections in Dubai (23 August 2024): DEWA fit-out connection applied for by the contractor or consultant, opened 3 November 2026 (DEWA's own page did not load)
- Al Tamimi & Co: an overview of Law No. (7) of 2025: in force 8 January 2026, applies in free zones including DIFC, opened 3 November 2026
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.