Structural changes, extensions, pools, pergolas and other outdoor works in a DAMAC community need a NOC from DAMAC's community management, applied for through the DAMAC Living portal, usually with a refundable security deposit. Structural work then needs a building permit: in DAMAC Hills this is reported to be the Dubai Development Authority (DDA), and in DAMAC Hills 2 Dubai Municipality. Contractor gate passes are tied to the approved NOC.
Who approves what
DAMAC's community management reviews modifications against the community guidelines, and contractor access is controlled through gate passes linked to the NOC, so unapproved work tends to be stopped at the gate.
The building permit for structural work comes from the authority for your community: reported as the DDA for DAMAC Hills and Dubai Municipality for DAMAC Hills 2. We confirm the route from your plot documents.
The DAMAC process, step by step
- Scope and guideline check. We list the changes and check them against the DAMAC community guidelines for your cluster and villa type.
- Drawings and documents. Title deed, contractor trade licence, scope of works, drawings and, for structural work, engineering calculations.
- NOC through the DAMAC Living portal. The application and security deposit go in through the portal. Reviews are reported to take around one to two weeks for standard work.
- Authority permit. Structural work, extensions and pools go to the DDA or Dubai Municipality, as applicable, with the DAMAC NOC.
- Gate passes and works. Contractor gate passes are issued against the NOC, and work follows the approved drawings and community working hours.
- Completion and deposit refund. Authority completion where a permit was issued, DAMAC's final inspection, and the deposit refund.
What each type of work needs
| Type of work | DAMAC NOC | Authority permit | What it involves |
|---|---|---|---|
| Painting, furniture, like-for-like repairs | Not usually | No | Contractor gate passes are still needed. |
| New kitchen or bathrooms | Often yes | Usually no | Layouts and plumbing changes. |
| Internal walls | Yes | Yes if structural | Structural assessment first. |
| Pergola or shade structure | Yes | Depends on size and structure | Position, height and materials. |
| Swimming pool | Yes | Usually yes | Setbacks and structural design. |
| Extension or majlis | Yes | Yes | Plot setbacks, area allowance and matching facade. |
| Boundary walls, driveway, hard landscaping | Yes | Usually no | Heights and materials per guidelines. |
Fees and timelines
- Security deposit: refundable, reported at around AED 5,000 to 10,000 depending on the scope.
- NOC and authority fees: vary with the scope and the authority, and are confirmed at submission.
- Timeline: DAMAC's review is reported at around one to two weeks; with an authority permit, allow two to four weeks or more before structural work starts.
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.