In Arada communities, external changes, pergolas, pools and structural work need approval from Arada's community management against the community guidelines before work starts. Where a permit is required, it comes from Sharjah Municipality through a registered engineering consultant, with SEWA approval if electricity, water or gas services change. For newly handed-over homes, work also has to be planned around the developer's warranty.
Who approves what
Arada's community management reviews changes against each community's design guidelines. Building permits in Sharjah come from Sharjah Municipality through a registered consultant, and SEWA approves service changes. We confirm the current route with Arada for your home.
The Arada process, step by step
- Handover inspection (new homes). We snag the home so defects are fixed by the developer before fit-out covers them.
- Scope and guideline check. We check the upgrades against Arada's guidelines and the warranty.
- Arada community approval. External changes, pergolas, pools and structural work are submitted with drawings and materials.
- Sharjah Municipality permit, if required. Through a registered consultant, with SEWA approval where services change.
- Works and close-out. Work to the approved drawings and community rules, inspections and final check.
What each type of work needs
| Type of work | Arada NOC | Authority permit | What it involves |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joinery, wardrobes, light fittings | Not usually | No | Contractor access is still arranged. |
| Kitchen upgrade | Often yes | Usually no | Check the warranty first. |
| Internal walls | Yes | Yes if structural | Confirm what is structural with the developer. |
| Pergola or outdoor kitchen | Yes | Depends on size and structure | Position, height and materials. |
| Swimming pool | Yes | Usually yes | Setbacks, structure and SEWA for services. |
| Extension | Yes, where permitted | Yes | Depends on the guidelines for your plot. |
Fees and timelines
- Community, municipality and SEWA fees: vary with scope and are confirmed at submission.
- Timeline: interior fit-out can start soon after handover; external works wait for approvals.
Developer and authority rules change, and they vary by sub-community, villa type and plot. This page summarises published developer guidance and our project experience as of October 2026. It is not a substitute for the current guidelines for your property, which we confirm before any design work starts.