DM Approval Checklist 2026: Everything at a Glance

• Architectural and structural drawings in PDF/A format with embedded layer data
• Al Sa'fat 2.0 Silver compliance documentation, including U-value calculations for wall, roof, and glazing assemblies
• Title deed and current Affection Plan for the plot
• DM-registered engineering consultant stamp on all drawings
• Structural stability certificate for any load-bearing modification
• For commercial fit-outs: department-specific NOC (Food Safety for restaurants, Health Department for salons/clinics)

• BPS Portal: the core building/fit-out permit application itself
• Civil Defense (DCD): fire safety NOC, mandatory before the Building Completion Certificate is issued
• DEWA: utility connection NOC for any new or modified electrical/water installation
• Structural NOC: building owner or developer sign-off confirming the works are permitted at the property level

All four should be submitted simultaneously, not sequentially — running them one after another is the most common self-inflicted delay in a DM approval timeline.

• BPS fit-out permit: AED 1.00 per sq. ft. BUA, minimum AED 200
• Industrial classification projects: capped at AED 250,000 regardless of BUA
• Civil Defense NOC: typically AED 2,500–5,000 for standard commercial premises
• Affection Plan (if needed): AED 500–2,000 depending on plot complexity and whether a re-survey is required

Submitting all four tracks on day one — rather than waiting for the BPS permit before starting Civil Defense or DEWA — is the single biggest factor in overall timeline. The second most common delay is a mismatch between the submitted drawings and the plot's Affection Plan on file, which puts a new application on hold until the discrepancy is resolved — checking the Affection Plan before submission avoids this entirely.