A Guide to Affection Plan Dubai – A Blueprint of Your Property

Dubai invariably pushes the boundaries when it comes to urban planning and infrastructure. The emirate’s commitment to innovation and development has positioned it as a forerunner in the global real estate market. However, construction professionals, developers and investors in Dubai must comply with the rules and regulations set by the government for constructing a property in Dubai.

When a developing company buys an area of land, it needs permits from the relevant authorities and has to stick to the approved site plan, often referred to as the Affection Plan. Let's delve into the details of this crucial document, the approval process and its role in ensuring a smooth progression of the construction project.

What is an Affection Plan?

Let’s begin with discussing what is an Affection Plan in Dubai. When a developing company buys a piece of land in the emirate, it needs to split it into plots and get approval regarding its construction from the relevant authorities before selling the plots to the sub-developers or homebuyers.

Affection plan refers to the document with the drawings and information like plot number, map, GFA (Gross Floor Area), and saleable area. It must also mention the intended purpose of the land, classifying it as either residential, commercial, industrial, or mixed-use. Note that the purpose must align with the planned development. Affection Plan outlines any setback requirements and whether parking must be included.

Purpose of Affection Plan

The developer or owner needs the Dubai Municipality affection plan before starting construction or modifying their property to establish the legal basis for construction. The permit often involves coordination with utility providers, transportation authorities and other relevant entities. The affection plan ensures the construction project integrates seamlessly with infrastructure such as roads, utilities, and public services.

Who Issues the Permit?

The developer creates the affection plan for plots designated for individual construction and submits it for approval to the Dubai Land Department, Dubai Municipality, Dubai South or Dubai Development Authority, depending on the community. As the regulatory authority supervising development and construction within designated free zones such as Dubai World Centre (DWC) and Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT), Trakhees approves the affection plan in these areas. 

Trakhees serves as the government agency entrusted with overseeing Dubai's environmental, occupational health, and safety matters. Securing Trakhees approval is an essential prerequisite for constructing a property in the city.

Third parties that need to provide their consent to your construction project include:

• Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA)
• General Directorate of Civil Defence
• Roads & Transport Authority (RTA)
• UAE’s national Internet provider Etisalat

Note that in each emirate, the respective municipality issues affection plans. For instance, in Abu Dhabi, the issuance of these plans and permits falls under the purview of the Abu Dhabi Housing Authority.

How to Apply for the Site Affection Plan?

Want to know how to obtain a site affection plan in Dubai? 

• You need the building permit to initiate your application, which is an essential prerequisite for acquiring the affection plan.
• To access the affection plan approval services, register or log in at Dubai REST (DVD's official website and mobile application)
• Submit the necessary documents and complete the required payment.
• The document will be processed within two business days and made accessible to you.

Documents Required

Copies of the following documents are required for the application:

• Valid Emirates ID (for individuals)
• Valid international passport (for companies only)
• Trading, service, or production license (for companies only)
• Title deed for the land plot
• Valid passport for individual owners
• Valid trade license for companies
• Sales or lease agreement
• Attorney of owner’s representative (if required)

If a third party owns the land plot and the developer is applying for a musataha. In this scenario, these documents will be required:

• Submission of a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the landowner
• Technical drawings
• Measurements
• A comprehensive list of rooms and units within the structure

After the construction, the developer must obtain a Completion Certificate from the municipality to use or sell this property. It is imperative to obtain all necessary property documents from the relevant authority to fully leverage your plot and ensure compliance with the approved plan.

FAQS

What is the service fee for obtaining an Affection Plan Dubai Land Department?

The service fee for submitting the Affection Plan for approval is AED 1000 per plot. A supplemental charge of AED 10 for 'Knowledge Dirham' and AED 10 for 'Innovation Dirham' will be applied per transaction.

How much time does it take to get approval on the Affection Plan?

The authorities usually approve the plan within two to three working days.

Can I refurbish my villa in the Emaar community?

Yes. If you want to modify your villa, i.e., construct a swimming pool or do internal upgrades and refurbishments, you must get a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from Emaar Properties. This ensures that the proposed changes align with the guidelines established by Emaar Community Management, Dubai Municipality (DM), Dubai Development Authority (DDA), and Dubai Civil Defense (DCD). The service applies to all Emaar communities, excluding Burj Khalifa, Emirates Hills and Dubai Hills Plots.

How to apply for Emaar Community Management No Objection Certificate (NOC)?

To apply for the NOC, follow this procedure:

• Log in to the community’s official portal
• Apply for new home modification, and respond to any clarifications regarding your application
• You will receive an email notification once your NOC application is approved.
• Pay the outstanding NOC approval fee

Can parking podium floors be added to the permissible count of floors outlined in the affection plan?

Podium floors are allowed only if they are specifically mentioned in the affection plan, although certain master developers can authorize the inclusion of podiums.

What is the fee for issuing the Certificate of Title/Title Deed?

Dubai Land Department issues the Title Deed. The DLD fee to issue the Title Deed is AED 250. The land map fee varies depending on the location of the land.