What DDA Governs and Who Needs It
DDA is the building and planning regulator for its TECOM free-zone communities (history: DTMFZA → DCCA → DDA, via Law 10/2018). If your unit sits inside one of them, DDA is your permitting authority:
Dubai Media City · Dubai Internet City · Dubai Knowledge Park · Dubai Production City · Dubai Studio City · Dubai Science Park · Dubai Design District (d3) · Dubai International Academic City · Dubai Outsource City. This list is not complete.
Important: DDA does not govern Dubai Silicon Oasis — DSO is DSOA. This is a common error.
An area name alone cannot settle whether a unit is inside DDA's remit. We check the plot against the affection plan and, where it covers the plot, in DDA's Development Information System before submitting.
The fit-out-relevant DDA permits are the Fit-Out Permit, Renewal of Fit-Out Permit and the Building Modification Permit (for structural change, change of use, mezzanine, or unit merge / split).
The DDA Fit-Out Permit Process
The applicant is the DDA-registered contractor (not the tenant). The verified flow on the official DDA page is:
- Log in to the DDA Buildings / Zoning e-Services portal.
- Create the project and start the application.
- Upload the required documents (see below).
- Submit the application.
- Pay the fees.
- Receive feedback from DDA.
The Fit-Out Permit is valid for 6 months. A DCD Completion Certificate is required before DDA issues the Fit-Out Completion Certificate, so the Civil Defence track must complete first.
Documents & Drawings Required
The following are verified on the official DDA page as the required set:
- Fit-Out Permit Request form.
- Contractor Appointment Letter by the tenant.
- Ejari copy (tenancy registration).
- NOC from the Building Owner.
- NOC from relevant Authorities.
- Approved and proposed stamped drawings.
Contractor and consultant registration with DDA is mandatory before submission.
Circular 338: When You May Be Exempt
Under DDA Circular 338, no DDA Fit-Out Permit is needed for:
- (a) leasable units of 100 m² or less, or
- (b) units inside a shopping mall (any size or use),
— provided you still use a Dubai-licensed contractor, comply with DCD and DDA regulations, work within the approved leasable area, and have landlord approval.
You still need a Building Modification Permit for any structural change, change of use, mezzanine, or unit merge / split. We confirm whether Circular 338 applies to your unit before you assume an exemption.
Timelines and fees for a DDA permit
- Processing time (verified, DDA "estimated delivery"): the Fit-Out Permit, Building Modification and Final Building decisions are quoted at 2 working days on a complete application. This is the decision turnaround, not the end-to-end project time.
- Fee (verified as of the research date, verify on the portal): the Fit-Out Permit is AED 0.90 per ft² (minimum AED 200, maximum AED 10,000), plus an AED 10 Knowledge dirham and AED 10 Innovation dirham. An "AED 0.50/ft²" figure circulates online but the official page states 0.90. Verify the current figure on the official DDA portal before relying on it.
- Contractor / consultant registration (verified): cited at AED 250 to register or renew, valid 1 year, around 2 working days; verify the current figure.
All other fees and any developer-side deposits vary. We confirm the current figures for your project.
We also carry out the works
If you need a DDA permit in the TECOM communities, we can prepare the submission and also carry out the works it covers:
A DDA permit in the TECOM communities is often one of several approvals a property needs, and the fit-out approvals hub shows the whole sequence.
Official authority links & regulations
Authorities change fees, timelines and process details without notice, so check the live official page before relying on these details for a DDA permit in the TECOM communities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Dubai communities does DDA approval cover?
DDA's TECOM free-zone communities include Dubai Media City, Internet City, Knowledge Park, Production City, Studio City, Science Park, Design District (d3), International Academic City and Outsource City; the list is not complete. DDA does not cover Dubai Silicon Oasis (that is DSOA): a frequent mistake.
How much is the DDA fit-out permit fee?
The official DDA page states a Fit-Out Permit fee of AED 0.90 per ft² (minimum AED 200, maximum AED 10,000), plus AED 10 Knowledge and AED 10 Innovation dirham. An 'AED 0.50/ft²' figure circulates online but is not what the official page says. Authorities change fees, so verify the current figure on the official DDA portal before relying on it. We check it at submission.
How long is a DDA fit-out permit valid?
The DDA Fit-Out Permit is valid for 6 months. DDA's quoted decision turnaround on a complete application is around 2 working days, but that is the review time for a complete submission, not the end-to-end project timeline. Note that a DCD Completion Certificate is required before DDA issues the Fit-Out Completion Certificate.
When am I exempt from a DDA fit-out permit under Circular 338?
Under Circular 338, no DDA Fit-Out Permit is needed for leasable units of 100 m² or less, or for units inside a shopping mall (any size or use), provided you use a Dubai-licensed contractor, comply with DCD and DDA regulations, stay within the approved leasable area and have landlord approval. You still need a Building Modification Permit for structural change, change of use, a mezzanine, or a unit merge / split. We confirm whether the exemption applies to your unit.
Who submits the DDA fit-out permit application?
The DDA-registered contractor submits the application, not the tenant. The flow is portal login, create project, upload documents, submit, pay, then receive DDA feedback. Required documents include the Fit-Out Permit Request form, the tenant's contractor appointment letter, an Ejari copy, a building-owner NOC, NOCs from relevant authorities, and approved plus proposed stamped drawings.