Dubai Municipality has authorized a select group of engineering consultancy offices to issue instant self-build permits for Emirati villas, in a move aimed at accelerating residential development and improving public services for citizens.

The initiative allows accredited consultancies to issue villa permits directly, eliminating the need for prior municipal engineer review. The change is designed to simplify the homebuilding process for Emiratis, saving time and administrative effort while maintaining compliance with the emirate’s regulatory standards.

According to the Municipality, each accredited office met strict technical and regulatory benchmarks to qualify for participation. The list of approved consultancies will expand in future phases, broadening citizens’ options and supporting the emirate’s goal of improving housing service delivery.

Eng. Maryam Al Muhairi, CEO of the Building Regulation and Permits Agency at Dubai Municipality, said the program marks a major step in facilitating self-build housing. “By offering a flexible, one-stop solution for villa construction, we are helping citizens build homes that reflect their needs while ensuring quality and sustainability,” she said.

Under the new system, citizens can apply for permits through accredited offices, which verify compliance with the Dubai Building Code and local planning regulations before processing applications via Dubai’s Building Platform. Once the permit is issued, the consultant appoints a contractor to begin construction.

Key regulations governing the system include adherence to structural and design standards under the Dubai Building Code, cost-efficiency requirements to prevent overdesign, and compliance with land use, height, and parking rules.

Dubai Municipality said the initiative reflects its ongoing efforts to enhance service quality, streamline housing-related procedures, and support Emirati families in building high-quality, well-designed homes that meet national urban development goals.

Photo credits: Government of Dubai Media Office

Oksana Bozhko

Oksana Bozhko is a Contributor to Dubai Voice.