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The most highly anticipated event of next year has been in the making for a long time. It happens only once every 5 years so it’s not surprising that the Dubai Expo 2020 master plan includes one-of-a-kind incredible projects. You’ll have the chance to explore the marvels of 190 countries from every continent of the world. Just imagine the cultural delights you could experience! It’s not just about culture, of course. During those unforgettable 6 months, everyone will get to witness firsthand the wonders of modern architecture and engineering. The professionals at Engineering Consultants in UAE are just as thrilled as you to see original works from the top engineering companies from all over the world. Of the 25 million attendees expected, an estimated 70% are going to be from outside the UAE.

Economic Development

One of the many reasons to celebrate the Dubai Expo 2020 is the countless number of jobs it is creating for those residing in the UAE. The government is always working towards eliminating unemployment and leading the nation to prosperity. Not long ago, the Global consultancy EY released a report with great news! From the time of winning to bid to wrap up the event, the Dubai Expo 2020 will have generated a staggering $33.4 billion for the UAE and its contribution towards GDP would be satisfactory at 1.5%.  

Welcome to the Future

The global campaign, Welcome to the Future, lead by the UAE in relation to the Dubai Expo 2020 is based on revisiting historic successes and boosting international cooperation. This has been designed to be supported in video format which is a powerful tool for today’s promotional activities, particularly on social media. Its slam poetry narration hopes to strike a chord with inventors around the world. The main idea behind Welcome to the Future is to make the world realize that every person on earth is valuable to global progress. It urges nations to utilize human resources intelligently to ensure even more amazing achievements in the future. As the Deputy Chief Visitor Experience Officer of the Expo 2020 Dubai, Sanjive Khosla explained that this campaign represents the inspiringly “positive and progressive spirit” that allowed the UAE to become what it today.

Transport and Security

So, how’s the construction coming along? Mattar Al Tayer, director-general and chairman of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) that provides RTA Permit and Approval has expressed his satisfaction at the superior project management displayed by those in charge of various phases of the Dubai Expo 2020. Just today, the main bridge leading to the site was opened up. In order to review safety measures and maintain tight security at the premises, a meeting was held yesterday. The Director-General of the Dubai Expo 2020 Bureau, the Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police, and the Security Committee were in attendance to go over security concerns.

Spanish Pavilion

Meanwhile, this week Spain has revealed exciting details about the pavilion planned for the Sustainability District. Renowned architects are putting their best foot forward to make it a resounding success. The core design concept of the Spanish Pavilion revolves around the conservation of resources including energy and building material. That explains their choice of exhibiting in the Sustainability District. The wood, metal, and cloth being employed can be easily recycled. The thermal and acoustic insulation in the exhibition area will be acquired owing to its location in the basement.    

Ukraine Pavilion

This is the first time that each of the 190 countries participating in the World Expo will have dedicated pavilions. If you have never been to Ukraine, the Dubai Expo 2020 invites you to discover the rich heritage and superior engineering technology of the country. There’s exciting news about the Ukraine Pavilion being constructed in the Opportunity District. The developers have highlighted innovative ideas that present feasible solutions to improve the quality of daily life. The design base is green technology making it attractive for every nation of the world. You’ll be stunned by the imagination used in their highly efficient e-bike, energy-generating solar blinds, and 3D printer for ceramics.  

 US Pavilion

With the announcement of unbelievable projects like 'What Moves You' by the US Pavilion at the Dubai Expo 2020, it is the one event that cannot be missed! Fans of science fiction franchises worldwide are rejoicing as they get to have this amazing experience similar to how characters in their favorite films traveled. Top engineers will be recreating the hyperloop ride as a futuristic means of transport. You will not be disappointed because this thrilling project stimulates multiple human senses. The aim is to create an immersive experience that allows you to truly feel as if the real world has dissolved around you leaving only elements of the hyperloop ride.

Saudi Arabian Pavilion

The aptly titled pavilion of Saudi Arabia, Window to the Future, lives up to its name covering an area equal to two football fields making it the largest pavilion at the Dubai Expo 2020 after the Dubai pavilion. This visual masterpiece is absolutely breathtaking in its ingenuity and creativity. The design may appear to be a path to the infinite skies reflecting the sky-high ambitions of the nation. After being wowed by the fantastic exterior, you will be welcomed into the exhibitions held inside showcasing the rich heritage of Saudi Arabia and its openness to building economic ties with other countries.

Chinese Pavilion

Standing at a jaw-dropping 4636m², the Chinese pavilion at the Dubai Expo 2020 has announced the theme “Building a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind – Innovation and Opportunity”. The concept of design maintains a proud Chinese core with elements of modernization linked to Western inventors. Symbolizing all things positive, the pavilion’s exterior is spectacularly designed to flaunt a traditional Chinese lantern lending its illumination to everyone around it. The exhibitions inside revolve around developmental milestones and innovation.  

We are on the edge of our seats as announcements for other pavilions are pouring in. The organizers hope to send out the heartfelt message that they are ready to take leaps for international development.    

Before commencing any work related to the planning and construction of a project under the Dubai Municipality or DM jurisdiction, it is important to first acquire approvals from the DM. DM provides various approvals for individual, commercial, and Government services, i.e., individuals, businesses, as well as Government bodies need to acquire a permit or approval before commencing any project work in Dubai. So, let’s discuss some of the approvals provided by DM and what procedure it requires for you to get a DM approval.

New Building Permit:

• The building department of DM provides approvals for new buildings. Any individual, business, or Government body with a proposed building plan can avail of this service and get DM approval for their project. The approval can be acquired for either a Structural plan, or Architectural Plan, or both. The various types of projects that are covered under this service include single and multi-story buildings, industrial structures, villas, and floor ratio area. Before commencing any physical on-site, it is important to get the primary DM approval in order to make sure the project work is as per the standards and guidelines of DM, otherwise, no physical work should be started. However, DM does not require you to get a primary approval, instead, you can directly apply for the final approval.

Procedure to get a New Building Permit from DM Approval:

In order to make sure you get the approval easily, you must follow the given procedure:

• Following the approval from DM, you will get your permit from the DM website.
• When all the documents are successfully submitted, you will be required to pay certain fees. In the case of villas and multi-story buildings (up to 7 floors), an amount of 100 AED is to paid. 150 AED is to be paid for multi-story buildings with more than 7 floors and 250 AED is to be paid for floor ratio area buildings. Once the payment is done, you will receive a payment voucher.
• Visit the DM website and apply for the New Building permit. You will be required to submit the structural and architectural drawing as per the type of service you are applying for.
• From the date of submission, within 3-5 working days, you will receive a reply from DM regarding the approval or rejection of your application.
• If the application is rejected, you should then check for the amendments in your application and then re-submit your application on the DM website. The entire process of approval or rejection takes up to 5 working days.

Approval for issue or renewal of DM Plans:

• This service is provided by the Survey Department of DM and provides various sub-services like Land Boundary information, zoning regulations, approved number of floors, use of land, land area, setback area, owner of the title, etc. The most important benefit of this service is that it does not take any long duration of time, i.e., in case of renewal of villas, you can get the approval within 15 minutes, and the rest of the services take only 1 working day.

Procedure to get DM approval for new or renewal of DM plans:

In order to ensure a smooth procedure for this approval, follow the given instruction:

• Once your application is reviewed, you will receive notifications regarding the approval or rejection from DM via SMS.
• Visit the DM website, or call the customer care center of DM, or visit Al Manara Center on Sheikh Zayed Road, or visit Al Tawar center in Deira, or Hatta Center, and submit the application form. You will have to submit your UAE identity proof.
• Once you submit the application, a DM plan to register land will be issued to you. For this step, you will be required to submit a copy of the Land Department plan not more than 2 years old, and a delegation letter, if your land is within government projects.
• Now you will be required to pay the fees of 200 AED. You will receive a payment voucher that may be helpful for future queries.
• Apart from villas, all other services take 1 working day to complete.

There are various other hundreds of approvals provided by DM which can be availed from the official website of DM or various DM approved offline centers. The procedure to get DM Approval can be very easy but understanding the nature of your project and then submitting the application for the service can be very complex. If you are also looking forward to getting DM Approval, then do not worry and leave all the difficulties and complexities to us. Our experts at Dubai Approvals Team will help you step by step so that you can get your Dubai Approvals on time without any hassle.

We also help you for getting Dubai Approvals from various other Dubai Authorities like Trakhees, DEWA, NAKHEEL, DSO, JAFZA, Food Control Department, EMAAR, RTA, TECOM and DCCA, and Warehouse approvals. So, Contact Us, save your precious time, and start working on your dreams right away.

Warehouses are required to abide by certain Building Regulations and Design Guidelines in order to get a license approval for both establishment and for any subsequent Fit-out modifications done to it. The approvals are demarcated between 2 jurisdictions. Warehouses located in Al Quoz, Dubai Investment Parks, and Ras Al Khor come under the jurisdiction of the “Dubai Municipality and Civil Defense” whereas, the Jebel Ali Free Economic Zone (JAFZA) are required to get a Trakhees license.

Let’s have a look at the general guidelines:

• The locations for warehouses are required to be chosen as special areas usually set aside for industrial types of work. This is as per the Land Use and Classification and Regulations in the Emirates.
• Unless considered otherwise by the authority, warehouses are required to provide skylight openings of at least 5% of floor area in order to provide natural ventilation and lighting.
• The net internal height of any storage area such as a depot or a workshop must be between 4 and 9 meters in height unless indicated otherwise by the authority.
• A maximum limit of 20% of the industrial area can be set aside to set up commercial activity. Outside of this area, commercial activity or goods display for trading cannot be carried out.
• Provisions for canteen, pantry, and changing rooms with lockers are required to be provided for employees. People with disabilities may be employed only when special provisions for them are incorporated into the design of the space.
• Kitchens and related cooking activities are not allowed on site.

Sanitary Provisions:

• Wash closets (WC) and Basins (WB) are required to be provided for male and female staff at the rate of 1 per 25 staff. If the staff number exceeds 100 then WC’s and WB’s are to be provided at the rate of 1 per 40 urinals.
• Toilet corridors need to have a minimum width of 1.2 meters with stall dimensions of 0.9 X 1.25 meters.
• Vending equipment, waste receptacles, and dispensers need to be 1 meter above the floor level with the waste receptacles embedded into the walls out of the way of people.
• Common toilets for both sexes are prohibited and doors to male and female washrooms are to be separated well. Self-closing doors to be provided wherever possible.

Parking provisions:

• 1 parking space per 50 square meters of office space to be provided. For vehicles such as buses, parking space provided depends on the operations carried out and the number of workers. Parking provision for visitors is 10% of the space provided for the staff.
• Construction of perimeter fencing must be on property and must not exceed 2.4 meters in height.
• The minimum width of all warehouse doors is 3 meters.

Mezzanine floor constraints:

• A mezzanine floor is simply an intermediate floor space provided above the warehouse floor. Its function may pertain to the space below or above it.
• 100% of the mezzanine floor can be used for the purpose of car parking or as an extension of the building’s usage purpose.
• Balconies or terraces are not permitted to be built on mezzanine floors and second mezzanines are not permitted when the first one is being detached and used independently.
• The internal height of the ground floor has to be a minimum of 3 meters. With the addition of a half mezzanine floor, it has to be between 2.4 – 4 meters. Finally, with the addition of a full mezzanine, the permitted internal height is between 2.6 – 3 meters.
• Mezzanine floors installed must be done so without disturbing the existing warehouse structures.

Fire safety provisions:

• Smoke detectors are required to be fitted in every partitioned area within the building and tested by an EHS (Environment, Health, and Safety home)-Approved Fire contractor.
• Fire extinguishers of 9-pound water type and 5-pound capacity carbon dioxide type must be provided at strategic locations on site.
• Sprinkler systems to be provided where there is storage of fire hazardous material and sprinkler piping system is to be tested and approved by the concerned Fire department.

Any Fit-out / Modifications that are made onto existing warehouse structures require an inspection by the Trakhees authorities to obtain a Fit-out/Modification completion certificate. We can help you in getting a Trakhees approval as well apart from the Warehouse Approval.

Dubai is one of the countries that has been recording immense development over the years. Many industries have been coming up yearly creating a big job market for many Dubai people thus the growth of the economy of Dubai. With this immense economic growth, there arose a need to have a body that will oversee the management of infrastructure. The rapid growth of buildings and other infrastructure requires strict guidelines to ensure that quality is not compromised. For this reason, Trakhees regulations and standards were then created, in 2009, with the main intent of guarantying the development of very sustainable and environmentally friendly structures.

Trakhees is in charge of various entities such as lands, port areas, Dubai World, and other areas within its mandate. Additionally, Trakhees are also responsible for the issuance of business licenses and approvals in the development of certain areas in Dubai. Trakhees is comprised of four sections that all ensure quality and efficiency are maintained in infrastructural development. These sections include Environment, Health and Safety Department, Commercial Licensing Department, Civil Engineering Department, and Corporate Excellence Department.

If you wish to get Trakhees Approval, you have to follow a few guidelines listed below:

Regulatory Requirements:

• No construction work should start without approval from the Civil Engineering Department of Trakhees,
• Approval from Nakheel Asset Management.
• Adherence to rules of Dubai World Community Regulations.
• Day-care and nursery amenities should comply with guidelines for Children Day Care

General Guidelines:

• The owner of any premises is solely responsible for all waste management and disposal.
• The unleased area can never be used by the owner.
• Services offered should be in line with those detailed in the license given.
• Any modification work should not compromise the quality of the building.
• Salon facilities should adhere to the rules and guidelines of Beauty Salons Cosmetics as per EHS.

Facility Requirements:

• Workers should be provided with adequate lockers and changing rooms within the premises.
• Washroom facilities on the premises should be up to standard and both men and women should have separate washroom amenities.
• According to the type of business, there should be adequate space.
• Lightning standards should be adhered to as set by the authority.
• The premises should have well-structured means of ventilation both artificial and natural such that fresh air is never contaminated.
• Water is supplied by a supplier who is approved by the necessary body. Water is treated by a body approved by the Environment, Health and Safety Department.
• There must be adequate handwashing sites for workers on that premises.

Adherence to these rules is a must if you are looking forward to getting a Trakhees approval. Other than the mentioned rules, you must also observe the space area, various business facilities are accorded different floor cover. Even after getting Trakhees approval for your business, that’s not all, you still need to ensure that you continue complying with these rules day in day out. Trakhees online will help you understand these rules and regulations in a better way.

Dubai Approvals team can help you get Trakhees approval easily without any hassle. Contact us today to know more.

Since the year 2009, the Trakhees Department of Planning and Development was introduced as an authority to oversee the infrastructural progress in Dubai. It hosts 4 key departments:

• Environment, Health and Safety Department (EHS)
• Department of Civil Engineering
• Department of Commercial Licensing (CLD)
• Department of Business Excellence

With the aid of these departments, Trakhees supervises all approvals related to land, complexes, port areas, Free and Custom zone corporations, and even provides business licenses to certain development zones. Whatever your business, be it restaurant or healthcare-related, chances are you are after a Trakhees Approval. Now let us look specifically at the role of the EHS approval in Dubai.

The EHS, formerly known as the “Free Zone Industrial Operations and Control Department”, was established as a business unit to aid expansions by other units such as Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA). The main objective of the EHS Trakhees Dubai was to set the industry standards for Occupational Health, Safety, and Environmental protection for businesses. Since its establishment, the EHS has sought to increase compliance, ease of administration, improve communication, forge collaborations and improve client satisfaction. It conducts training programs, provides accreditation and awareness programs to this end.

As a part of the Trakhees EHS monitoring, documentation is divided into 9 key parts namely:

• Environmental Regulations
• Design and Development Regulations
• Construction Safety Regulations
• Industrial Operations Regulations
• Ports Operations Regulations
• Green Building Regulations
• Commercial and Retail Operations Regulations
• Food and Health Regulations and
• Fire Protection, Fire Prevention & Fire/Emergency Control Regulations

These regulations are applicable to all Business Units of Dubai World, their clients, and stakeholders operating within the jurisdiction of Trakhees-Ports, Customs & Free Zone Corporation. EHS works under a system of continuous approvals which means regular checks and certifications. Facilities cannot resume operations until the authority issues an Operation Fitness Certificate. The licensee is also responsible by law under Ministerial Decision N. (32) – 1982 and federal/state regulations, for the protection of their staff from work hazards, diseases, accidents, etc. that may result, with appropriate precautions in place.

Some general conditions for Compliance

If you are busy setting up a food or health-related service/outlet, then the EHS guidelines are a compulsory read as you cant proceed without their approval. The conditions are divided into regulatory and design/construction requirements.

Regulatory requirements encompass compliance to Dubai World Community regulations, UAE laws, EHS guidelines, Children Day Care Standards if you have a Day Care/Nursery, and other relevant licenses from Trakhees. Prior to EHS certification, there are some compliance procedures involving the Ministry of Health, Dubai Municipality, Police, and customs that require to be completed.

Design and Construction requirements include Waste disposal system, operating hour limitations, Parking space, electrical/construction work elements, and other licenses related to the type of trade or business being undertaken.

EHS appointed inspectors are authorized to visit the facilities to ensure quality. Any non-conformities found are then brought to the attention of the concerned licensee and if no corrective action is taken, then sanctions are placed to maintain standards.

For complete information on these requirements visit this blog: Requirements to Obtain Trakhees Approval

The Dubai Municipality has come a long way since its establishment on February 28^th, 1957 by the first decree. It provides Dubai Municipal Approval and other services to the population of Dubai and its work includes urban planning, construction supervision, environmental protection and improvement, public parks conservation, regulating and ensuring international quality standards compliance in aspects such as

• construction and building materials
• food & consumable items
• professional services in laboratory certification and accreditation.

Having begun with just 3 operating employees, it has grown into an organization having more than 15,000 staff working in 32 organizational units, making it a major driving force in the development of Dubai City. With a vision of “Developing a happy and sustainable city,” the Dubai Municipality Approvals or DM Approval is also instrumental in maintaining the architectural heritage of the emirate by revival and maintenance of many cultural landmarks.

The Dubai Municipality is currently composed of 34 departments under six sectors, namely:

1. Communication & Community Sector
2. Corporate Support Sector
3. General Support Sector
4. Environmental Health & Safety Control Sector
5. Environment & Public Health Services Sector
6. Engineering & Planning Sector

The services offered by these sectors are segregated into individual, government, and business-centric, with the focus of DM Approval quality control on areas such as: Environment and waste, Financial and business, building and land planning, lab testing and accreditation, Public health and consumer safety, drainage and irrigation, veterinary, agriculture and public markets services.

An example in planning assistance by DM

The Dubai Municipality or DM has a planning division that allows streamlined submissions to be made from the user end and a legislative system in place to demarcate its jurisdiction. One example of planning assistance is guidelines for submission of Masterplan for building plan proposals. Here, the applier submits a draft proposal for preliminary assessment that covers ownership, on-site and surrounding region description. Following this, a final assessment submission requires Non-Objection Certificates from the concerned local authorities (Dubai Police, Civil aviation, Road transport authority, Dubai Electricity and water authority, etc.) Finally, the DM Approval provides a “sign off sheet” to all service authorities for their approval of the master plan.

After completing all these procedures, a follow-up application needs to be filed online at www.dm.gov.ae which consists of paying the application fee as well. A tutorial to filing this online application is available here. 

Non-Compliance crackdowns – Serious Quality Assurance

The year 2011 was a dramatic one for the DM. This was primarily due to the disconnection of utility services to many residential, industrial and commercial buildings as a result of illegal modifications, partitions, and additions that were made. Warning notices were first sent following which heavy fines were levied to discourage non-compliance. Repeated offenses meant that utility services to the offenders were cut through the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA). Sometimes unauthorized changes to buildings also run the risk of lack of fire exits or basic health requirements and ambiance quality like lighting and ventilation. Once the corrective action was taken, the services were restored to these locations.

If you are looking for Dubai Municipality Approval, you can Contact Us.

Warehouses are required to abide by certain Building Regulations and Design Guidelines in order to get a license and Dubai Approvals for both establishments and for any subsequent Fit-out modifications done to it. The relevant Dubai Approvals for warehouses mezzanine are demarcated by various jurisdictions under different Dubai authorities. Warehouses located in Al Quoz, Dubai Investment Parks, and Ras Al Khor come under the jurisdiction of the Dubai Municipality and Dubai Civil Defence whereas, the Jebel Ali Free Economic Zone - JAFZA is required to get a Trakhees Approval. Let’s have a look at the general guidelines:

• The locations for warehouses are required to be chosen as special areas usually set aside for industrial types of work. This is as per the Land Use and Classification and Regulations in the Emirates.
• Unless considered otherwise by the authority, warehouses are required to provide skylight openings of at least 5% of floor area in order to provide natural ventilation and lighting.
• The net internal height of any storage area such as a depot or a workshop must be between 4 and 9 meters in height unless indicated otherwise by the authority.
• A maximum limit of 20% of the industrial area can be set aside to set up commercial activity. Outside of this area, commercial activity or goods display for trading cannot be carried out.
• Provisions for canteen, pantry, and changing rooms with lockers are required to be provided for employees. People with disabilities may be employed only when special provisions for them are incorporated into the design of the space.
• Kitchens and related cooking activities are not allowed on site.

Sanitary Provisions

•  Wash closets (WC) and Basins (WB) are required to be provided for male and female staff at the rate of 1 per 25 staff. If the staff number exceeds 100 then WC’s and WB’s are to be provided at the rate of 1 per 40 urinals.
• Toilet corridors need to have a minimum width of 1.2 meters with stall dimensions of 0.9X 1.25 meters.
• Vending equipment, waste receptacles, and dispensers need to be 1 meter above the floor level with the waste receptacles embedded into the walls out of the way of people.
• Common toilets for both sexes are prohibited and doors to male and female washrooms are to be separated well. Self-closing doors to be provided wherever possible.

Parking provisions

1 parking space per 50 square meters of office space to be provided. For vehicles such as buses, parking space provided depends on the operations carried out and the number of workers. Parking provision for visitors is 10% of the space provided for the staff.

• Construction of perimeter fencing must be on property and must not exceed 2.4 meters in height.
• The minimum width of all warehouse doors is 3 meters.

Mezzanine floor constraints

A mezzanine floor is simply an intermediate floor space provided above the warehouse floor. Its function may pertain to the space below or above it.

• 100% of the mezzanine floor can be used if for the purpose of car parking or as an extension of the building’s usage purpose.
• Balconies or terraces are not permitted to be built on mezzanine floors and second mezzanines are not permitted when the first one is being detached and used independently.
• The internal height of the ground floor has to be a minimum of 3 meters. With the addition of a half mezzanine floor, it has to be between 2.4 – 4 meters. Finally, with the addition of a full mezzanine, the permitted internal height is between 2.6 – 3 meters.
• Mezzanine floors installed must be done so without disturbing the existing warehouse structures.

Fire safety provisions

• Smoke detectors are required to be fitted in every partitioned area within the building and tested by an EHS (Environment, Health, and Safety home)-Approved Fire contractor.
• Fire extinguishers of 9-pound water type and 5-pound capacity carbon dioxide type must be provided at strategic locations on site.
• Sprinkler systems to be provided where there is storage of fire hazardous material and sprinkler piping system is to be tested and approved by the concerned Fire department.

Any Fit-out / Modifications that are made onto existing warehouse structures require an inspection by the Trakhees authorities to obtain a Fit-out/Modification completion certificate.

In the past couple of decades, Dubai has expanded its industrial and commercial market at a very rapid pace, allowing more opportunities for individuals and businesses. So, it becomes very important for Dubai authorities to manage and maintain a proper set of guidelines in order to maintain quality and safety in all the services. Trakhees has also set up various service codes, wherein every business has to follow certain rules and regulations in its operations.

Trakhees provides five types of licensing services which include New Licenses, License Amendments, License Renewal, License Cancellation, and Commercial Permit. So, in short, if you want to acquire any type of licensing service be it requesting a new license or make changes in your old license, your destination should be Trakhees. So, let’s discuss the procedure for various licensing approvals of Trakhees:

Procedure for New License: This type of procedure is used to get a new license and it is applicable for those parties who come under the jurisdiction of Trakhees. Here are the steps to apply for a new license:

1. For new licensing services, you should visit the Trakhees office.

2. Trakhees CLD provides two types of licenses – Free Zone Licenses and Local Licenses.

3. In the Trakhees office, you can request for a Trade Name Reservation. For that, you need to submit the Name Reservation Form, Passport Copy of the local owner. If you are not a local owner, then your visa copy along with the passport is required.

4. The payment advice will be generated by the Trakhees-CLD. Make the payment, show the receipt and collect your Trade Name Certificate from the office.

5. To get the initial approval for federal licenses, you need to visit the office and make a request for the initial approval.

6. To do so, submit the Registration Licensing Application Form, the passport copy, and the Visa copy if you belong to some other nation. If you are a citizen of Iraq, Iran, Yemen, Somalia, Palestine, Morocco, Lebanon, Libya, Syria, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Christopher and Nevis then the last six months bank statements are also required along with the Visa Copy.

7. Make the payment and collect the Initial Approval Certificate from the office.
8. To get initial approval for a free zone license, you need to submit the following documents: application for license, trade name certificate, FZ/FZCO registration form, environment health & safety form, NOC copy from the employer in case of a non-local, passport copy + visa copy of all shareholders, personal information form, board resolution, and the specimen of signature of manager or owner.

9. Trakhees will check & validate all these documents. If your application has been accepted then you need to make the payment.

10. After completing the payment transaction, you can collect the initial approval certificate from the office.

Procedure for License Amendments: If you have to make certain changes in your existing license, then you have to follow the below-mentioned steps. It must be noted that the amendments which can be made are Changing Trade Name, Changing or Adding an Activity, Change in Address or Location, Changing or Appointing a Manager, Increase in Capital, Changing the Local Agent, Adding or Withdrawing a Partner, and Changing Legal Type. Also, each type of amendment procedure takes a certain amount of time.

1. In the case of companies under Free-Zone Laws, an applicant has to visit the Trakhees-CLD office and submit the mentioned documents according to the nature of the amendment.

a. For Trade Name Changes, an applicant has to submit Board Resolution from the company, Application amendment form, Original Trade license, Original MOA, Original Share Certificate, Amendment to the Memorandum of Association
concerning the change of Trade Name, and Trade Name certificate.

b. For Changing or Adding an Activity, an applicant has to submit an FZ License amendment form, Original Trade license, EHS activity form, and Amendment to the Memorandum of Association concerning the change of activity.

c. For Change in Address or Location, an applicant has to submit an Original Trade License, FZ license amendment form, Request Letter, EHS approval, and Copy of Lease agreement registered in Ejari.

d. For Changing or Appointing a Manager, an applicant has to submit Board resolution from the company, FZ license amendment form, Copy of the new manager’s passport along with NOC if the manager is a non-local, NS approval for new manager, Accommodation agreement, Amendment to the memorandum of Association duly authenticated by the Notary public, and Personal information for the manager.

e. For Increasing the Capital, an applicant has to submit Board resolution from the company, FZ license amendment form, Original Trade license, Original share certificate, Confirmation from the bank, and Amendment to the Memorandum of Association.

2. Once the applicant is done with all the document submissions, a submission reference number will be generated.

3. The Trakhees-CLD will check all the documents and if all the requirements are fulfilled correctly by the applicant, a payment advice will be generated.

4. The applicant can submit the fees online and present the receipt to front desk offices. The printed license will be available to collect by the applicant.

There are various other options for licenses from Trakhees Approval for companies under Federal Law, General Partnership, and Simple Limited Partnerships. You can Contact Us and let our experts help you will all your license-related services.

With the rapid development in Dubai, it was important for the government to come up with an authority that will be responsible to supervise the infrastructure. In 2009, Trakhees – Department of Planning and Development was introduced in Dubai and since then it is providing various public services. Trakhees manages all the lands, complexes & areas owned by Ports, Customs & Free Zone Corporations, Dubai World, in the areas defined by PCFC, and its jurisdiction. Trakhees is also responsible for providing business licenses in special development zones and areas.

Trakhees consists of four major departments which include the Corporate Excellence Department, Commercial Licensing Department, Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) Department, and Civil Engineering Department. Each of these departments is working through creativity and excellence so as to provide quality rich services.

Now, if you are looking forward to get Trakhees approval, depending on your business (be it an eatery, hotels, any food-related activity, or any health-related activity), you have to fulfill certain requirements. In order to not miss out on any formality, these requirements are categorized. Let’s discuss the various requirements to obtain Trakhees Approval:

1. Regulatory Requirements: These are as follows:

1. Following the rules of Dubai World Community Regulations, UAE Laws, and EHS rules.
2. Following the rules of Dubai Municipality, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Environment and Waters, ESMA, Dubai Police, and Dubai Customs.
3. In the case of Day-Care and Nursery services, it is important to comply with the rules and standards of Children Day Care.
4. In the case of salon services, it is important to comply with rules and standards of Beauty Salons Cosmetic procedures/therapies guidelines from DHA, CSS, and EHS.
5. Approval from Nakheel Asset Management.
6. No commencement of construction work without approval from the Civil Engineering Department of Trakhees.

1. General Conditions: These are as follows:

1. The owner of the business/property will be responsible for waste disposal generated from the premises.
2. Under no circumstances should the unleased area be used by the owner.
3. Services offered should be strictly as per those mentioned in the license.
4. The contractor should ensure the modification works does not compromise the structural integrity.

1. Floor Area Requirements:

There are other area requirements set by Trakhees, that need to be followed strictly.

1. Facility Requirements: Apart from area requirements, it is important to take care of facility requirements so as to ensure safety and standard. They are as:

1. The water supply shall only be supplied from an approved source by the authority. It is also important to ensure the water is cleaned and treated by the approved EHS third party servicing company.
2. The lighting provided in the premises must be as per the standards set by the authority.
3. The waste management should be up to the mark wherein it should have no adverse effect on the surroundings. Also, the drainage should be designed in a way that does not contaminate the usable water.
4. The premises should have both natural and artificial means of ventilation. It is worth noting that, similar to water supply management, ventilation shall also be managed in such a manner that the incoming fresh air is not contaminated in any way.
5. As per the nature of the business, the premises should provide an adequate amount of storage for storing goods.
6. The premises must have an adequate number of handwashing stations.
7. An adequate number of changing rooms and locker rooms should be provided for the employees working on the premises.
8. Toilet facilities should be as per the standards. An adequate number of toilets should be provided on the premises. It is also important to provide separate toilets for men and women.

As mentioned above, you must comply with various rules and regulations so that you can get approvals from Trakhees. Even if you get the approval for your business, you still have to maintain quality and standard as per the rules and regulations of Trakhees so that you can retain your license. This is because all the authorities of Dubai are very strict when it comes to the safety and security of infrastructure and the environment. So, if you are also looking forward to getting a Trakhees approval or any other authority of Dubai, you must comply with the rules and regulations set by the Government of Dubai.

Furthermore, you can also check our Dubai Approvals services and let our team help you with your approvals. Our experts will guide you step by step so that you can easily get your job done without any hindrance.

Established in 1954 by Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the then crown prince, Dubai Municipality or DM looks after all the facilities provided to the people of Dubai by the Dubai government. It has jurisdiction over all the city services and provides a tremendous amount of online services to residents as well as government sectors of Dubai. In 2001, Dubai Municipality Approval started its online service portal, wherein 40 city services were provided online in its initial phase. Today, almost all the services provided by the Dubai Municipality Approval or DM Approval can be accessed online. Being a resident of Dubai, or a businessman, it might be necessary for you to avail certain services every now and then. But the question that arises is what type of services can you actually avail of depending on your requirement and category.

Dubai Municipality Approval or DM Approval provides various services to businesses, individuals, as well as to government sectors. In order to make it easy for you to understand, let’s list down all the services available to individuals and business sectors:

Individual Services

These are the DM Approval services provided to residents of Dubai, be it citizens or visitors include:

• Environment and Waste Services

1. Request for NOC for well drilling
2. Request for artisanal fishing license
3. Request for recreational fishing license i.e., string and hooks
4. Request for environmental clearance for industrial projects
5. Request for waste collection services
6. Request for bulk waste transfer
7. Request to remove agricultural waste
8. Request for providing and changing waste container site

• Lab Testing and Accreditation

1. Request for testing food items
2. Request for training in Dubai central laboratory
3. Request for testing consumer products
4. Request for testing and hallmarking of precious metals and gemstones

• Public Markets Services

1. Request to transfer the lease to the heirs
2. Request to present investment projects related to the services

• Veterinary and Abattoirs Services

1. Request for animal treatment
2. Request for adopting a pet
3. Request for veterinary parasite control
4. Request for animal registration
5. Request for veterinary health card
6. Request for slaughterhouse services

• Drainage and Irrigation

1. Request for sewage withdrawal
2. Request for disconnection of drainage services
3. Request for a permanent connection to sewerage network
4. Request for connection to stormwater network

• Land Planning and Building Services

1. Request to release blocked permits and owners
2. Request for planning permits
3. Request for survey site visit
4. Request for meteorological data
5. Request geographical data and site plans
6. Request for hydrographic survey data
7. Request to issue building completion certificate
8. Request for exception
9. Request to inquire about building violations
10. Request for copy of approved engineering drawings

• Public Parks and Agriculture

1. Request to buy organic fertilizers
2. Request for tree pruning for household
3. Request for agricultural pests control
4. Request to rent children city facilities
5. Request for Dubai public parks membership card

• Consumer Products Safety and Public Health

1. Request for pest control services
2. Request related to deceased people
3. Request for issuance Free of Diseases certificate
4. Request for testing consumer products

• Financial and Business Services

1. Request for issuing receipts
2. Request for fine installments
3. Request for Dubai municipality fine inquiry
4. Request to refund deposited insurance
5. Request for establishing a training lab
6. Request for summer program training
7. Request to purchase books

Business Services

These DM Approval services are provided to businesses in Dubai.

• Environment and Waste Services

1. Request for No Objection Certificate for Telecommunication Tower and Power Transmission Line
2. Request for Permit to Store Dangerous goods
3. Request for Environmental NOC for Desert Camp
4. Request for No Objection Certificate for Well Drilling
5. Request for NOC for infrastructure and construction projects
6. Request for Waste Collection Service
7. Request for Waste Collection Service
8. Request for Waste Collection Service
9. Request a Permit for Waste Management Activity

• Lab Testing and Accreditation

1. Request for calibration of instruments and equipment
2. Request for training in Dubai central laboratory
3. Request for testing consumer products
4. Request for testing and hallmarking of precious metals and gemstones
5. Request for block batch and Type 1 certification
6. Request for Registration of Suppliers of Certified Products
7. Request to participate in proficiency testing program

• Public Markets Services

1. Request to lease available municipal properties
2. Request to enter and ensure parking to get into Fishmarket auction yard
3. Request for Tenancy Contract Renewal and Termination
4. Request approval for modifications/additions for leased properties in DM Markets
5. Request to enter and ensure parking to get into Fishmarket auction yard

• Veterinary and Abattoirs Services

1. Request for veterinary item registration
2. Request for permit to release imported veterinary shipments
3. Request for Veterinary Health Certificate
4. Request for slaughterhouse services

• Drainage and Irrigation

1. Request to reallocate sewer line location
2. Request for connection with irrigation network system to get treated wastewater
3. Request for a permanent connection to sewerage network
4. Request for a temporary connection to a sewerage network
5. Request for a permit for land drainage and dewatering
6. Request to approve project designs irrigation systems

• Land Planning and Building Services

1. Request for No Objection to activate the tourism license
2. Request to modify consultant’s registration record data
3. Request to modify consultant registration status
4. Request for new registration – contracting companies
5. Request to release blocked permits/licenses-Owners
6. Request for Building materials suppliers and manufacturers registration
7. Request for planning permits

• Public Parks and Agriculture

1. Request for NOC to obtain trade license to practice horticulture activity in Dubai
2. Request for Permit to get agricultural Soil
3. Request for NOC to work in the cultivated areas
4. Request to visit the Children City
5. Filming / Promotion Request at Public Parks

• Consumer Products Safety and Public Health

1. Request for permit for activity or play area
2. Request for No Objection Certificate
3. Request for ship sanitation certificate
4. Request for pest control identity card
5. Request for Guard Residence Permit
6. Request of issuance Free of Diseases Certificates
7. Request for Free Sale Certification

• Financial and Business Services

1. Request for issuing receipts
2. Request to inquire about building violations
3. Request for Dubai municipality fine inquiry
4. Request to refund deposited insurance
5. Request for training in Dubai Central laboratory
6. Request for summer program training
7. Request to purchase books

If you are looking forward to avail any of these Dubai Approvals services, our experts will help you throughout all the steps and will guide you so that you obtain any type of DM Approval quickly and hassle-free.