DDA Final Design Approval (FDA) 2026: The Complete Guide
Final Design Approval (FDA) is the core DDA design review stage every project in a DDA-governed zone must pass before a building permit can be issued. This guide covers the exact official fees, timeline, validity period, and renewal cost — sourced directly from DDA's own published figures.
Dar Al Naseeb Engineering Consultants
Licensed Engineering Consultants · Dubai, UAE · Est. 2012
FDA Fees — Official Figures
- New submission fee: AED 0.1 per sq. ft. of total Built-Up Area (BUA), with a minimum of AED 200 and a maximum of AED 50,000
- Renewal fee: AED 2,000 per year, up to a maximum of 2 renewal years
- Additional per-transaction charges: AED 10 "Knowledge Dirham" and AED 10 "Innovation Dirham"
Fees paid at the FDA stage are deducted from the subsequent building permit fee — they are not a separate, non-refundable cost layered on top.
Timeline and Validity
A complete, compliant FDA submission is typically processed within 5 working days. Once approved, the design remains valid for 1 year — the building permit application must be submitted within that window, or the FDA approval requires renewal before the project can proceed to the permit stage.
Documents Required for FDA Submission
- Architectural, structural, and mechanical design drawings prepared to Circular 400 format
- Consultant appointment letter confirming the registered consultant handling the submission
- Approvals from other relevant agencies depending on project type — Civil Defense, DEWA, RTA, and others as applicable
Submissions can be made online through the DDA portal or in person at the Dubai Studio City Customer Service Center.
Free Assessment
Get Your DDA Final Design Approval Right the First Time — Free Assessment
Dar Al Naseeb prepares Circular 400-compliant FDA submissions and manages the full DDA approval sequence, with exact fees confirmed upfront before you submit.