Dubai Building Permit Fees 2026: The Complete Cost Breakdown

The official DM building permit fee is calculated on Built-Up Area (BUA):

Base Fee Structure:

Worked examples:

Additional DM fees that are always applied:

Most commercial projects require approvals from multiple DM departments, each with separate fees:

DM Food Safety Department (all F&B outlets):

DM Health Department (clinics, gyms, salons, pharmacies):

DM Planning Department (Change of Use):

Building Completion Certificate (BCC):

Civil Defense approval is not a DM fee — it is a separate authority charge. However, it is mandatory for DM permit completion on all commercial, F&B, and healthcare projects.

DCD 2026 Fee Schedule:

Kitchen suppression system approval (restaurants):

LPG gas system approval (if applicable):

Trakhees CED (Commercial Engineering Division) governs all construction in Nakheel communities and selected free zones. Fee structures differ from DM:

Trakhees CED Permit Fees:

Nakheel NOC (required before Trakhees submission):

Note on timing: Trakhees fees are paid at submission. The security deposit is paid at the time of Nakheel NOC application and refunded after the DM or Trakhees completion inspection confirms no community standard violations.

JAFZA Engineering Department fees apply to all modifications in Jebel Ali Free Zone:

JAFZA 2026 Fee Schedule:

Civil Defense (parallel to JAFZA for all projects):

Standard villa renovation (1,500 sq. ft., DM mainland):

Restaurant fit-out (3,000 sq. ft., DDA/Business Bay):

Clinic fit-out (500 sq. ft.):

JAFZA warehouse fit-out (10,000 sq. ft.):

1. Prepare complete documents before starting

Every rejection cycle costs time and resubmission fees. Having all NOCs, a current Affection Plan, and DBC-compliant drawings ready for first submission eliminates the most common cost inflators.

2. Run authority submissions in parallel, not sequentially

Many operators apply for the DM permit first, then Civil Defense, then DHA or DM Food Safety. Running all submissions simultaneously can save 4–8 weeks of timeline and avoid monthly rental costs on an empty fit-out space.

3. Use a consultant with pre-approved DBC templates

Consultants using outdated AutoCAD templates or non-DBC-compliant layer names generate rejection cycles that add weeks and resubmission fees. Confirm your consultant's 2026 DBC template compliance before signing any engagement.

4. Address regularization before new permit applications

If your property has any unauthorized existing works, addressing them before submitting new permit applications prevents the DM inspector from issuing compound penalties during the new project inspection.