To undertake renovation work in Dubai, including adding a room or partitioning a space, property owners must obtain approval from the Dubai Municipality.
Question: I recently moved into a villa in a popular Dubai community. I want to add a room by partitioning the living room, involving minor construction work. Do I need regulatory approval for this?
Answer: Yes, you need regulatory approval from the Building and Government Housing Department of Dubai Municipality. This department is responsible for issuing permits for construction and repair works, as outlined in Article 3 of Local Order No. 3 of 1999 Regulating Construction Work in Dubai. You or your representative must file an application with the necessary documents to obtain this approval.
No individual can carry out permanent or temporary works on a building or property without a permit from the Competent Department of Dubai Municipality, as per Article 4 of the Dubai Local Order No. 3 of 1999. To obtain this permit, an application must be submitted by the individual or their representative (engineers or contractors) with the necessary documents. This process is outlined in Article 5 of the same order, ensuring all construction works comply with approved plans, drawings, and technical standards set by the department.
Additionally, all construction works, including temporary ones, must adhere to approved plans, drawings, and technical requirements sanctioned by the Competent Department of Dubai Municipality, as per Article 14 of Dubai Local Order No. 3 of 1999. Changes to these documents are not permitted without the department's approval.
Articles 19 to 26 of the same order outline the obligations of contractors and engineers undertaking construction works. These articles also specify the safety conditions required for conducting construction works on a building or property.
Moreover, Schedule No. 1 of Local Order No. 3 of 1999 lists the application fees for Dubai Municipality's engineering audits of plans, and Schedule No. 6 specifies fees for modifications and additions to approved plans.
Based on these provisions, you should hire a licensed contractor or engineer to help you obtain the necessary permits from Dubai Municipality for your villa renovations. You may also need a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the master developer or community management to ensure compliance with their guidelines, as well as those of Dubai Municipality, Dubai Development Authority (DDA), and other relevant authorities.
News Source: Khaleej Times
